The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years

Just saw your review of the movie and it made me smile. My son Zach played Dane in the movie. The funny part is that Zach is anything BUT a goody-goody; how he was able to turn on the charm when the cameras were rolling is beyond me. The character definitely was a bit too sappy and innocent, but it worked within the framework of the story. My opinion is that Amanda Donohoe was poorly cast as Meggie, which was the mini-series' downfall. You say that the movie is available on video, but I haven't seen it anywhere, nor has Warner Bros. released it to video stores. ( I do, however, have my own copy of it, sent to me by the studio. )

Shooting the film in Australia was a complete blast -- the best experience we've ever had in this business. Thanks for your comments. It's interesting to read reviews about my son's work!

This sequel departs from cannon of the original story so, one wonders if the creators actually viewed the original mini-series. It was a shame to see Colleen McCullough's carefully detailed characters (some of them) bent to suit the plot of this contrived piece of work. Oddly, Feonna Cleary (an a-vowed atheist in the original mini-series) has suddenly found faith and speaks about "God's greatests blessings" a multitude of times through out the film. To-wit, also, after years of running Drogheda, she is relagated in this sequel to knitting and a "cheery attitude". Amanda Donahoe does a reasonable job of potraying Megan Cleary-O'Neil. Richard Chamberlain seems to work very hard at keeping the characterization of Fr. (now Arch Bishop) Ralph D'Brickesar authentic. A portion of the original mini-series is totally ignored in respect to the character of Luke O'Neil (in respect to Meagan's ending her relationship with him) And Lastly, this is really the nineties (well now the millinium) Does anyone really sigh with relief when Luke O'Neil arrives on the scene because (as "Fee" puts it) "We need a man around the place"? I say rent or own the original and leave the missing years missing in action!

This would of been great if this part of the story was in the original but it wasn't! So here it is 13 years later! Only Richard returns! We have a woman cast as Meggie that looks like she be more at home on the Womens P.G.A. TOUR! The story here is weak! It is still a little kick to see old friends but when your friends have had face-lifts they don't seem the same! If this is the only thing left at the video store one night READ a book in fact read the THORN BIRDS

Richard Chamberlain plays a perfect part it is a very moving Film which impressed me and my wife. the filming must have been very difficult and the conditions very warm but it was very well put together and acted by all.

To this day, I still read the book; it's a book you can't put down and it's a story you can't forget. An unattainable love true but SO deep and consuming! Richard Chamberlain is a versatile actor and though he was the only member of the original cast present; I was happy the whole time I watched this. Amanda's portrayal of Meggie is different from Rachel Ward's - cynical and harsher- but she had Meggie's vulnerability as well so I say Ms. Donahue's performance was good as well. And I loved the boy who played young Dane; I hope he's still acting presently- young Dane was just like adult Dane in the original mini-series; sensitive, loving and knowing what he wants. What I didn't like about the film; the Vittorio was completely different from the Vittorio in the original mini series. Christopher Plummer was an understanding, shrewd and compassionate man, this one was rather narrow minded and unsympathetic! Didn't he watch the original? And where on earth was Bob Cleary, We only saw Jack! But the biggest surprise was Fee- gossipy, talkative Fee! I love this film all the same.