Thorn Birds

UPC: 883929206643

Studio: Warner Home Video

MPAA Rating: NR   Contains:[Adult Situations, Questionable for Children]

Summary: This mammoth TV miniseries, based on the best-selling novel by Colleen McCullough, proved to be a ratings bonanza; indeed, its viewership was surpassed only by the 1978 blockbuster Roots. Set in Australia, the story covers 42 years in the life of Ralph de Bricassart (Richard Chamberlain), a Roman Catholic priest engaged in a constant struggle between his calling and his carnal desires. The women in de Bricassart's life include Meggie Cleary (Rachel Ward, in her first American TV role) and Meggie's iron-willed grandmother Mary Carson (Barbara Stanwyck). Also in the cast are Jean Simmons and Richard Kiley as the Clearys, Sydney Penny as the young Meggie, Bryan Brown as Luke O'Neill, Mare Winningham as Justine (Meggie's daughter) and Christopher Plummer as the Archbishop. This 4-part, 10-hour presentation earned an Emmy award for Barbara Stanwyck, and Golden Globes for Stanwyck and Richard Chamberlain. Originally telecast March 27 through March 30, 1983, The Thorn Birds was followed 13 years later by The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years, again starring Richard Chamberlain. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Category: Romance

Awards: Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television – null Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Series or Television Movi – null Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Series or Television Movi – null Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Series or Television Movi – null Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Pic – Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Pic – Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Pictu – Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Pictu – Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Pic – Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television – Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Actress – Academy of Television Arts and Sciences

Features: Commemorative documentary The Thorn Birds: Old Friends, New Stories

Thorn Birds

Format: DVD

Release Date: 06/28/2011

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Pre-1954 Standard

Audio: DDM2.0 Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono

Runtime: 487 Minutes

Sides: 3

Number of Discs: 3

Language(s) English

Subtitles: English,French,Spanish

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Cast and Crew: Daryl Duke  Director 
Edward Lewis  Executive Producer 
Henry Mancini  Composer (Music Score) 
David L. Wolper  Executive Producer 
Stan Margulies  Producer 
Carmen Culver  Screenwriter 
Richard Chamberlain  Actor 
Rachel Ward  Actor 
Barbara Stanwyck  Actor 
Christopher Plummer  Actor 
Bryan Brown  Actor 
Jean Simmons  Actor 
Piper Laurie  Actor 
Mare Winningham  Actor 
Ken Howard  Actor 
Richard Kiley  Actor 
Earl Holliman  Actor 
Sydney Penny  Actor 
Philip Anglim  Actor 
John Friedrich  Actor