"The Thorn Birds"...is it just me, or is this an absolute masterpiece? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

david&maddie4ever · 09-12-2003, 11:43 PM

Hello, all.

I know that "The Thorn Birds" isn't technically a "movie", but I didn't know where else to post this.

I first saw The Thorn Birds about two years ago, and let me just say...that was a piece of film-making GENIUS!!! I have NEVER been more moved and touched by a production of ANY kind than by that one. It's so unbelievably awesome; I can't say enough about it! The forbidden love between Ralph and Meggie was timeless, and the two actors did SO well in portraying the characters.

I'll give you an example of just how touching this thing is...

You know how, when you see a sad movie, you get a bit choked up, and if it's REALLY sad, you actually start to get teary? Well...in the last scene of The Thorn Birds, I was not only choked up and teary eyed, but I was audibly SOBBING for about 15 minutes!!! Unbelievable.

The thing that made The Thorn Birds great, in my opinion, was the fact that it was a mini-series instead of a movie. Spending ten hours witnessing the trials and tribulations of Meggie Cleary and Father Ralph, rather than two, lets the viewer get SO much closer to each character, making the final product WAY more enjoyable.

Anybody here agree? Comments?

david&maddie4ever

dandelion wine · 09-12-2003, 11:53 PM

Oh yeah, I can relate! This is my favorite tv miniseries, and I was lucky enough to have watched it when it first aired on ABC - I loved it. The Hallmark Channel aired it again for its 20th anniversary, which brought back memories of how much my family and I looked forward to it the first time around.

animalcrackers · 09-13-2003, 08:59 AM

I loved the movie! I also saw it when it first aired. Richard Chamberlin is an absolute favorite of mine. Wonderful movie!

david&maddie4ever · 09-14-2003, 07:57 PM

Glad I'm not alone!

When Hallmark ran it for its 20th anniversary, I missed it the first time it was shown!

Luckily, though, it was shown again, later in the month, and I got all ten hours on tape.

I can't wait until it's released on DVD! It would sell like crazy!

Later.

david&maddie4ever

dandelion wine · 09-15-2003, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by david&maddie4ever
Glad I'm not alone!

When Hallmark ran it for its 20th anniversary, I missed it the first time it was shown! Luckily, though, it was shown again, later in the month, and I got all ten hours on tape.

I can't wait until it's released on DVD! It would sell like crazy!

Later.

david&maddie4ever

I got 'em all, too!

It wouldn't take long to sell every DVD, I'm sure.

The Love Stories Channel has aired The Thorn Birds several times over the years, so I watch it if I get the chance. What gets to me every time I watch the movie, is the very end. Not so much when Father Ralph dies (that's worth lots of tears), but when Meggie and her mother finally break that wall of ice that's seperated them for so many years. And then to see her go to Justine, letting her know that she did love Dane more, but that she wanted her to be happy. I love that part.

Crimson and Clover · 09-16-2003, 12:17 AM

I saw it on The Hallmark Channel and I loved it. I didnt think I would at first but I did.

Penny Lane · 09-16-2003, 10:02 AM

I like anything that has Richard Chamberlain in it! IMO his best role was in "Centennial" in which he played Mountain Man Alexander McKeag. What a fine actor he is! They don't call him "King of the Mini-series" for nothing!

david&maddie4ever · 09-16-2003, 10:31 PM

Yes, I must agree. Richard is very talented. I saw him a few years ago on Broadway when he was in "The Sound of Music", and he was AWESOME! Of course, this was before I had seen "The Thorn Birds", so I didn't fully understand the talent I was witnessing!

Anyway, the last five or ten minutes are what really get me! I can watch that part a million times in a row, and I'd STILL cry every time!

Although the whole Ralph/Meggie love thing was BRILLIANT, I also liked the beginning of the story, when Meggie was little. That part could have been boring, but the geniuses that worked on this thing made it almost as good as the love scenes!

Later.

david&maddie4ever

09-12-2003, 11:43 PM	#1
david&maddie4ever ...the hard way... Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 01, 2003 Location: ...staring at my calendar, counting the days until the release of Moonlighting on DVD... Posts: 3,580	"The Thorn Birds"...is it just me, or is this an absolute masterpiece? Hello, all. I know that "The Thorn Birds" isn't technically a "movie", but I didn't know where else to post this. I first saw The Thorn Birds about two years ago, and let me just say...that was a piece of film-making GENIUS!!! I have NEVER been more moved and touched by a production of ANY kind than by that one. It's so unbelievably awesome; I can't say enough about it! The forbidden love between Ralph and Meggie was timeless, and the two actors did SO well in portraying the characters. I'll give you an example of just how touching this thing is... You know how, when you see a sad movie, you get a bit choked up, and if it's REALLY sad, you actually start to get teary? Well...in the last scene of The Thorn Birds, I was not only choked up and teary eyed, but I was audibly SOBBING for about 15 minutes!!! Unbelievable. The thing that made The Thorn Birds great, in my opinion, was the fact that it was a mini-series instead of a movie. Spending ten hours witnessing the trials and tribulations of Meggie Cleary and Father Ralph, rather than two, lets the viewer get SO much closer to each character, making the final product WAY more enjoyable. Anybody here agree? Comments? david&maddie4ever

09-12-2003, 11:53 PM	#2
dandelion wine ~ Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 20, 2003 Location: Behind the Couch Posts: 34,967	Oh yeah, I can relate! This is my favorite tv miniseries, and I was lucky enough to have watched it when it first aired on ABC - I loved it. The Hallmark Channel aired it again for its 20th anniversary, which brought back memories of how much my family and I looked forward to it the first time around.
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09-16-2003, 12:17 AM	#6
Crimson and Clover Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 09, 2002 Location: NC Posts: 17,345	I saw it on The Hallmark Channel and I loved it. I didnt think I would at first but I did.
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09-16-2003, 10:02 AM	#7
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,231	I like anything that has Richard Chamberlain in it! IMO his best role was in "Centennial" in which he played Mountain Man Alexander McKeag. What a fine actor he is! They don't call him "King of the Mini-series" for nothing! Attached Images
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09-13-2003, 08:59 AM	#3
animalcrackers Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 24, 2002 Location: The Backseat Of Fonzie's Bike Posts: 1,603	I loved the movie! I also saw it when it first aired. Richard Chamberlin is an absolute favorite of mine. Wonderful movie!

09-14-2003, 07:57 PM	#4
david&maddie4ever ...the hard way... Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 01, 2003 Location: ...staring at my calendar, counting the days until the release of Moonlighting on DVD... Posts: 3,580	Glad I'm not alone! When Hallmark ran it for its 20th anniversary, I missed it the first time it was shown! Luckily, though, it was shown again, later in the month, and I got all ten hours on tape. I can't wait until it's released on DVD! It would sell like crazy! Later. david&maddie4ever

09-16-2003, 10:31 PM	#8
david&maddie4ever ...the hard way... Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 01, 2003 Location: ...staring at my calendar, counting the days until the release of Moonlighting on DVD... Posts: 3,580	Yes, I must agree. Richard is very talented. I saw him a few years ago on Broadway when he was in "The Sound of Music", and he was AWESOME! Of course, this was before I had seen "The Thorn Birds", so I didn't fully understand the talent I was witnessing! Anyway, the last five or ten minutes are what really get me! I can watch that part a million times in a row, and I'd STILL cry every time! Although the whole Ralph/Meggie love thing was BRILLIANT, I also liked the beginning of the story, when Meggie was little. That part could have been boring, but the geniuses that worked on this thing made it almost as good as the love scenes! Later. david&maddie4ever