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I have read many reviews which said that the series was just Hollywood having a glorious day out. Well, perhaps it was, but the quality of the script and the quality of the actors and acting was outstanding. Jean Simmons, Christopher Plummer and Barbara Stanwyck played their parts impeccably, especially Barbara, whose performance was so convincing!!!
The Thorn Birds………….just brilliant!!!! By Kaye Scott
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I
think it is quite fitting that I chose The Thorn Birds to review, as this
was the production that first sparked my interest in Richard and his work
and I suppose the rest is history!! I had always been aware that he was
around in the background as my dear mother had been a Dr Kildare fan,
but it was The Thorn Birds which did it for me twenty years later!
When
the production was first screened here, back in 1983, I decided to read
the book at the same time and follow the story as it unfolded on the TV.
I must say I enjoyed the TV series far more than I did the book. It certainly
wasn’t because Richard was playing Father Ralph, because at that
stage I wasn’t a particular fan. But as he developed the character
I found myself becoming more and more absorbed in his portrayal of Ralph
and actually found myself feeling all sorts of mixed emotions towards
this very complex man, Ralph de Bricassart – love, sympathy, pity,
disbelief and on occasions thorough dislike. In my opinion an actor who
is able to do this is worth his weight in gold!!
The
sets too, were wonderful, who couldn’t imagine that Drogheda wasn’t
filmed in the Australian outback (other than those who live there!!) and
did it really matter that the kangaroos were imported!
And
so to my favourite scene, well I expect most people would think I would
say Matlock Island! Well, yes that was pretty special in that Meggie and
Ralph were at last able to show their love for each other, but in fact
it was the final scene between them in the Rose Garden that I found the
most powerful. It was sad and even tragic that it had to end there but
it was strangely satisfying to hear Ralph finally admit to Meggie that
he knew what he had sacrificed and lost. I found that very moving and
I truly believe that at that very point their love for each other was
as deep and complete as any love could be. I cried for days over that
one scene!!! If only I could have re-written the ending and I suspect
many others felt the same way!