The Thorn Birds 1983

An adaptation of the Australian family saga novel "The Thorn Birds" (1977) by Colleen McCullough. The story initially focuses on Meghann "Meggie" Cleary, the only daughter born to a family of Irish migrants in New Zealand. Meggie has five older brothers, and she struggles to hold her own in the family. In the early 1920s, Meggie's father receivers an offer of employment by his sister Mary Carson, a wealthy widow who runs an enormous sheep station in Australia. The entire Cleary family migrates to Australia, where they meet Mary and her current love interest Ralph de Bricassart. He is young and handsome Roman Catholic priest who has been exiled to a remote parish in the Australian countryside due to insulting a bishop. Mary goes to great lengths to tempt Ralph to break his vows, but he is more interested in her money than her body. Meggie is neglected by her parents, and abandoned by her favorite brother who leaves. While growing up, she sees Ralph as her mentor and best friend. After Meggie grows into womanhood, Mary perceives her as a rival love interest of Ralph. Shortly before her death, Mary writes a new will which makes the Roman Catholic Church the main beneficiary and Ralph the executor. In effect, she offers her vast wealth to Ralph as a stepping stone for his ambitions to rise in the ranks of the Church, but she makes him choose between following these ambitions and maintaining his loving relationship with Meggie. As expected, the greedy priest chooses money and power over love. But over the following years, Ralph keeps being drawn back to Meggie. He starts realizing that he has emotional and sexual needs like any other man.