If you haven't seen the mini-series it's worth it just to see what Drogheda looks like.  Down further I put the differences I noticed between the book and the mini-series. I especially liked the casting of Father Ralph, Fee, Paddy, Frank  and wee Meggie.  If you are a  hard core fan of the mini-series take a look at the "Making of the Thorn Birds" link.  It includes everything from scripts, casting, scouting locations, and wardrobe sketches.

I was a huge Richard Chamberlain fan from his Shogun mini-series, while I reading The Thorn Birds, I was picturing Richard Chamberlain as Father Ralph.  Then to hear he was cast for the role of Father Ralph almost made my heart stop. :-)  I was 18 working at a low paying job, and was scheduled one night  the mini-series was airing.  I went and charged a 465.00 very basic and at that time cheap VCR so I could tape it in my absence.  That VCR lasted 20 years! 

Michelle

The differences between the book and the mini-series

Jims and Patsy, the twins, aren't in the mini-series. They both go to war, and one can't have children after being injured and the other never marries.

Father Ralph has a passion for sports cars. :-)

It's hinted that Arne, Luke's sugar cane partner is gay.

Meggie sleeps with Luke one more time after she knows she's pregnant with Ralph's baby. Luke keeps in contact with Meggie through letters.

Dane tells his mother he wants to be a priest not Fr. Ralph. 

Fr. Ralph helps to get Frank out of prison early. Frank goes to live on Drogheda again, lives in the ranch house, and works as the gardener.

Both Raine and Vittorio guessed Dane was Ralph's child.

Fee and Meggie as they grow older become much closer.

Anne Mueller leaves Himmelhock after Luddie dies, and lives on Drogheda. She will leave Himmelhock to Justine.

Dane's body is buried in Greece before any family can get to him.  Greece won't let anyone take the body, and they need Fr. Ralph's help to get through the red tape so the body can be brought home. Meggie flies to Rome, but Ralph says he is too busy to do it right away. In order to make getting Dane's body a priority,  Meggie tells Ralph that Dane is his son.  Ralph brings the body home to Drogheda and stays there.

Raine goes to Drogheda alone (not with Justine) to tell Meggie not to let Justine come back there to live.  Meggie writes Justine a beautiful letter how she needs to stay put and live for herself. 

Fr. Ralph dies in the living room of Drogheda with Fee and Meggie there. He dies in Meggie's arms.

Mini-Series  Links

Richard Chamberlain revisits locations of the mini-series. 
Tribute to Richard Chamberlain

Making of The Thorn Birds
Finding the actors, the screenplay, the locations, costumes, 
everything is covered in this series of interviews. 

All of MP3
Henry Mancini Score samples and full versions downloadable in mp3 format.

Richard Chamberlain Online
Image Album for Richard Chamberlain which includes the mini-series

Richard Chamberlain Fan Site
Screen images and video clips of the mini-series chapter by chapter.  The beach scene is included on there. 

Sakuraland
Image Album for the mini-series

imdb.com
A bit of mini-series trivia.

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