All language subtitles for The Thorn Birds - S01E01 WEB.eng

From the raw Australia
of the 1900s

comes a turbulent saga
that spans the decades,

in Colleen McCullough's
best-selling novel.

The Thorn Birds.

I'll never have
what I want...

The story of a priest
driven by ambition,

never be what I want.

Tormented by desire.

And I don't know
how to stop... wanting.

Hello,
I'm Father de Bricassart.

And you be Mary Carson's
brother?

That's right, father.

From the moment he saw her,
he knew...

And who are you?
I'm Meggie.

He would love her forever.

I gave you Mary Carson.

The richest woman in Australia

and the loneliest.
Shoot 'em, Frank.

You are the most beautiful man
I have ever seen,

Ralph de Bricassart.

I thought it was my soul
you were after, Mary.

Why do you tug so at my heart?

Why do you fill that space
God can't fill?

When you were a little girl,
you were like my own child.

I could have you then.

You can have me now.

You can marry me.

I have chosen
to destroy you, priest.

Oh, I'll go to hell for it,
of course,

but it'll be nothing to the hell
I'm planning for you.

No one could stir
Meggie's heart,

no one till a rover
named Luke O'Neill.

God, you are beautiful.

Marry me, Meghann.

The story that travels
around the world,

from the Vatican
to the Australian Outback,

from the islands of Greece
to London.

I have tried so hard
to get her out of my heart.

The saga that spans
half a century,

echoing through
three generations.

Starring Richard Kiley,
Jean Simmons,

Ken Howard, Mare Winningham,
Philip Anglim,

Christopher Plummer,
Bryan Brown,

Barbara Stanwyck, Rachel Ward,
and Richard Chamberlain.

A love unattainable,

forbidden, forever.

The Thorn Birds.

Good day, Father De Bricassart.

Happy Christmas
to you.

The same to you, Mrs. Smith.

Why are the roses
here on Drogheda

always the loveliest
to be found?

Aren't they heavenly?

But it's the heat
makes them bloom so.

Makes me wilt.

Nothing is given without
a disadvantage in it.

True enough, Father.
True enough.

Well, I'll lay
things out for mass.

Custodiat animam
meam in vitam eternam.

Amen.

Ecce agnus dei,

ecci qui tollis
peccata mundi.

Domine, non sum dingus
ut intres sub tectum meum,

sed tantum dic verbo,
et sanabitur anima mea.

Corpus domini
nostri Jesu Christi

custodiat animam
tuam in vitam eternam.

Corpus domini
nostri Jesu Christi

custodiat animam
tuam in vitam eternam.

Corpus domini
nostri Jesu Christi

custodiat animam
tuam in vitam eternam.

Corpus domini
nostri Jesu Christi

custodiat animam
tuam in vitam eternam.

Corpus domini
nostri Jesu Christi

custodiat animam
tuam in vitam eternam.

Corpus domini
nostri Jesu Christi

custodiat animam
tuam in vitam eternam.

Happy Christmas,
Mrs. Carson.

Ah, Father, how many times
do I have to tell you

my name is Mary?

And yet, you never
call me Ralph.

Happy Christmas,
Ralph.

And it's very kind
of you

to spend it
with a lonely woman.

Oh, hardly that.

On the contrary,
it's very kind of you

to invite
a lonely priest...

and fellow Irishman.

Oh, that's right.

This is your
first Christmas

in exile, isn't it?

Exile?

It's my first in Australia,
if that's what you mean.

That's not what I mean

and you know it.
Six months,

and I still haven't
figured out why

the Church banished
you out here

to the land of
never-never.

What sin did you
commit, Ralph?

What priestly vow
did you break?

Poverty? Obedience?

Perhaps chastity?

You're quite sure
I have been banished?

Well, of course.
Look at you.

You're aristocratic,
witty, ambitious...

despite that
facade of humility.

And God knows you
have a subtle mind.

You're the stuff

cardinals
are made of, Ralph.

And you would look
magnificent in red.

So you've said before...

so you say each time
I visit you.

And you're going to say,
"but my dear Mrs. Carson

"I am a priest.

"Surely I can do
god's work here

as well as in the seats
of ecclesiastical power."

Sometimes, Mary,
I think you know me

better than I know myself.

I'm certain of that too.

All right, now.

Ready?

Go!

Come on!

Come on!

Come on!
You can do it!

Ralph won!

I bet on you,
Father Ralph!

Well done,
Father De Bricassart.

How do you like him?

He's beautiful!

Good! He's yours.
Happy Christmas!

Well, thank you.

And I'll take
great pleasure

in riding him
whenever I'm here,

but I can't accept
him as a gift.

Why not? You accepted
the car I gave you.

Because it allows me to see
my parishioners more often.

A fine distinction.

You'll accept my gifts

only if some holy use
could be made of them.

Well,
it wasn't poverty.

I beg your pardon?

The vow you broke
that got you banished.

Uh-huh. It, uh...

it must have
been chastity, yes?

All right.

My Christmas gift to you.

I insulted a bishop

on a matter of
local church policy.

You broke your vow
of obedience.

That was ambitious
of you.

Well, there's some
comfort in the fact

the Pope himself
later came out

in favor of my views
in the matter.

Has he now?
And he hasn't rescued you?

My dear Mrs. Carson,

priests are expendable,
bishops aren't.

It's not so terrible
a banishment.

If I have you to remind me

of the existence
of civilization,

and I have Drogheda.

Oh, yes, you would
like that, wouldn't you?

You'd like
to have my Drogheda.

Oh, would I?

Oh, yes, you would.
If you could charm me

into leaving Drogheda
to the Church,

his holiness would have
to rescue you, reward you,

maybe even give you that
beautiful red cardinal's robe.

A masterful plan,

but my dear Mrs. Carson,
I am a priest.

Surely I can serve god
as well here

as in the seats of
ecclesiastical power.

Oh, and how you
would hate it.

Still I have to give Drogheda
to someone someday, don't I?

That's worth
thinking about.

Ah, Mrs. Smith,
I must go.

Please give my thanks
to Mrs. Carson

for a delightful day.

That will be all.
Thank you.

Ralph, you're not
leaving so soon.

It's late and a long way
back to the parish.

Oh, well, I hope I
didn't say anything

this afternoon
to upset you.

I mean,
all that talk

about inheriting
Drogheda.

You didn't upset me
in the least.

Good.

Have you
thought about it?

About what, Mrs. Carson?

About charming me
out of Drogheda,

because I didn't say
I couldn't be charmed.

Mrs. Carson.

What is it
you want from me?

Why...

only your spiritual
guidance

of course, Father.

You see, I have
a decision to make.

You're the only one
that can help me.

I'll do what I can.

It's about my brother.

Your brother?

I thought you once said
you had no family left.

Oh, I have a brother.

I haven't seen him
in years.

He lives
in New Zealand.

We both left Ireland
to make our fortunes,

but Paddy hasn't
fared too well.

He's an experienced man
with the land, however,

and he has a house
full of sons.

I'm thinking of
bringing him here

and making him
my head stockman.

I wonder you didn't
think of it sooner.

Oh, I did. I did.

I've just been waiting,
shall we say, to, uh,

to see what might develop.

And it would be
a comfort to me

to know I would be
helping Paddy,

to know I'm not
all alone in this world,

not-Not quite reduced

to leaving all my pretty
pennies to the Church.

It's a most
generous gift, Mary.

No, no.
Never a gift.

No, whoever
inherits Drogheda...

earns it.

Thank you, Father.

Good night,
Mrs. Carson.

Father, Father,
it's time you were off.

All right, Annie.

I'll be right there.

It'll be nice
for Mrs. Carson

having her brother's family.

Father, Father,
I must see you

about the chalk supply.

Chalk?
Three boxes are missing. Three!

I'll... look into it.

In Father Watty's time,
Father,

we took a much
closer account

of such things.

Hello. I'm
Father De Bricassart.

Sorry, I'm late.

And you be Mary Carson's
brother?

That's right, Father.
Paddy Cleary.

This is my wife Fiona.

Mrs. Cleary.

I'll be taking you
on to Drogheda.

I know you've had
a very difficult journey.

You're very kind.

These are my boys,
Father. This is Bob...

Hello, Bob.

Jack...
Jack...

And Stuie here.
Take off your hat.

And Frank.

Frank.

And who are you?

I'm Meggie.

Meggie.

Meggie.

Oh, are we going
to live here?

Well,
not exactly.

I'll show you your
house later, Meggie.

Meggie?

Yes,
this is Meggie.

Mary, we have no words to
thank you for your kindness

in bringing us here.

Well, when you're as old
as I am and as rich,

the vultures
start to circle.

You're my only
flesh and blood, Paddy.

I don't have any sons

and Michael's been dead
for over 30 years.

A long time to be alone.

I wonder you never
married again.

Marry again?

And give some man control
over me and all I have?

Oh, no. No, that's not
what I call living.

No. As long as I am alive,
Drogheda is mine

and only mine.

It's well
to remember that.

Why, of course,
Mary.

Well, let's have mass
right away,

and then I'm sure
we'd all enjoy

a nice hot meal
at your table, Mary.

That sounds very nice
indeed, Father.

Meggie?

A hundred and twenty-five
thousand sheep,

1000 head of cattle,

and more fence than
you can ride in a month.

A round of work is endless.

But Drogheda is the biggest in
New South Wales and the best.

I've seen to that.

Well, all I can say

is it looks like
heaven to me.

Well, if your idea of
heaven is hard work,

you're right.

We Clearys know
about hard work-

Not that it got us
very far in Ireland.

Paddy, I don't want you
just to lead the men.

I want you to work with them,

and to keep on working
long after they've quit.

When things go wrong,
you take the blame.

When they go right,
don't expect any credit.

And I'll give you a free hand
with the land, Paddy,

as long as you keep Drogheda
the biggest and the best.

Well, Mr. Gough,
the gold is holding.

And I think
the investment looks sound,

but you're my lawyer.

The steel is still down
of course since the war,

but nothing
to worry about.

And as we discussed,
Carson Limited

is doing well with
your expansion plan.

Meaning I'm still one
of the richest women

in Australia.

If not the richest.

Mary, does your brother have
any idea of all this?

No. No one has.

And that's the way
I want it kept

until the day I die.
Do you understand?

Of course.

It would be amusing

to know what
people would say

if they know Drogheda

was only a hobby with me.

Hello, Father.

Fee.

You're fighting
a losing battle.

There are three things

you'll never defeat
here in the outback:

The dust, the heat,
and the flies.

You're certainly not like
New Zealand priests.

They keep very much
to themselves.

You're not a Catholic,
are you?

When I lost faith
in my own church,

I saw no reason
to espouse a creed

that is equally
meaningless to me.

But Paddy's a Catholic,

and we're rearing
the children Catholic,

if it's worrying you.

It isn't, and I won't
try to convert you.

But I would like
to be your friend.

You're very kind to us.

I like to know
my parishioners,

so I make the rounds
of all the stations.

But I must confess to
a weakness for Drogheda.

Perhaps it's my Irish blood.

Irish? I thought you were
of French background.

No, De Bricassart
is an old Norman name,

but I'm Irish,
all right,

and the last of
the De Bricassart line.

In fact, I was born
in County Meath,

just a stone's throw
from the town of Drogheda.

Call it fate.

Yahoo!

Yahoo!

Bye, Meggie.
Wish you could go.

Have fun, Stuie!

Poor little Meggie.

It must be hard
being the only girl.

But I've been
blessed with sons,

these and two I've buried.

It's her sons
a mother thinks of, isn't it?

Meggie,
don't dawdle.

You've got
the chickens to feed.

Father Ralph!

Excuse me.

Father Ralph!

Father Ralph!

Hello,
Meghann Cleary.

Let's go feed those
chookies, shall we?

Yes, but there's something
I must show you first.

Come on.

What is it, Meggie?

Isn't it beautiful,
Father?

Yes,
I suppose it is.

Father, do you
suppose that God

is really all around
us all the time?

What makes you ask me that,
my little girl?

Because if he is,
I think he must be here.

Don't you?

Ah! God is
in his wool room,

all is right
with the world.

And why not?
He did choose a stable once.

Oh, come on, Ralph.
That's a bit precious.

Except why not?
Why not make this

the epicenter
of the papal map,

and then you could be
cardinal after all.

And what would that make you?
Surely not the Pope?

No. Too dull.
Satan, perhaps.

That's more
interesting.

And more powerful.

Every heaven needs one
to stay in business.

You argue
like a Jesuit.

Well, isn't it true?

Without Satan,
there's no struggle.

And it's the struggle
that keeps us alive.

What keeps us alive is
the point of that struggle-

The hope of
attaining perfection.

If by perfection,
you mean heaven.

But you have to die
to get there, don't you?

Sometimes, Mary, I think
you're after my very soul.

I am...

unless it's
already been taken.

Meggie, fetch the milk,
will you.

Yes, Mama.

Fiona, you are hopelessly
old-fashioned.

If you don't
raise your hemlines

and stop wearing
all those petticoats,

you are going to die
in this heat.

Oh, Fiona.

Where did you
get this furniture?

And this spinet?

The furniture was
my grandmother's.

She taught me
how to play.

What was your maiden name?

My father's name
was Roderick Armstrong.

My dear Fiona,

the Armstrongs are practically
New Zealand's first family.

You have come down
in the world, haven't you?

I don't think so.

Well, you're better born
than we Clearys,

if I do say so.

The only thing
I had going for me

when I came out to Australia
was a face, figure,

more brains than any woman
was supposed to have,

but it got me
Michael Carson.

You've done
very well, Mary.

He doted on me
till the day he died.

Then you ought to know
what it is to have

the love of a good man.

Michael was rich,
but a bit of a fool.

Paddy's not a fool.

No, but he's penniless.

Can you really have
loved him enough

to give up your place
in society?

My reasons for what I do,
Mary, are my own.

I do not discuss them.

Can I help, Frank?

Not likely. These beasts
would gobble you up

right along with
this kangaroo meat.

You stupid
bloody beasts!

Frank!
Stop it!

Stop it!

Shoot 'em, Frank!

Shoot them?
Frank!

Don't worry, Meggie.

What's the trouble here?

Daddy, Aunt Mary says

the dogs have
got to be shot.

All right,
darling.

You go on
about your work.

Yes, Daddy.

Get the gun.

I'm not gonna
shoot those dogs.

They were just
fighting a little.

Just fighting, huh?

Today those two fight,
tomorrow they'll all turn wild.

We'll have a paddock
full of sheep

with their throats
torn out.

There's no room here
for anything wild, Frank.

Those dogs are here
to work and to obey.

Just like me, right?

That's all I do
around here is work and obey.

That's right, and as long
as I'm your Father,

that's what you will do.

Now get the gun.

Yes, Daddy.

Ah, hello, Meggie!

Now don't you go telling
her majesty

I fired up this engine,

for it's only to be used
at shearing time.

Pete!

I thought you boys
wanted to learn shearing.

If you're not a fine pair
of jackaroos!

Never saw
a machine shears,

and here you'll be cockys
of the whole place one day!

That steam
engine runs it?

It runs the shears,
turns the grinding wheel,

works the wool dumper,

and it will boil
a belly for your tea.

Look at that. I could even
beat Daddy with these.

Nobody could beat Daddy.

Daddy was
the fastest man

with the hand shears
in all Wahine, New Zealand!

Meggie, aren't you to be
fetching the milk?

I never was what you could call
a gun shearer myself,

but I can teach you
right enough.

Here, I brought a few sheep
in to practice on.

Get out here,
you brainless dummy!

You're about to be
made an example of!

Bob, get yourself
a sheep.

The fastest bladesman
I ever saw

was old Hee Sing,
a Chinaman.

He could ring any shed
in the country,

could old Hee Sing.

Get in there!

Finished!

What do you think, Pete?

Well, Bob, I'd say you're
a champion shearer...

Oh, thanks, Pete!

In the making.

All right, Stuie.

Now just walk right
straight toward him.

Slowly.

Ah, see, look him right
straight in the eye.

That's-No, don't look
at me, Stu, look at him.

Why do you think
I sent you in there?

That's it.

Lay off, will you?
The poor kid's only 11.

Go on, Stu.

For God's-

You stay out of this.
No son of mine

is gonna be scared
of any animal in this place.

That's it, Stu.
Go ahead.

Stuie!

You think that's funny?
You think that's funny?

Stop it!
Frank!

Get back to work.

You pull a trick
like that again,

and I'll take a stick with you
in front of God and all.

Will you, now?
Come on, then!

Come on, then.
Now's your chance.

You've fought and scrapped

and acted like a savage
your whole life,

but I'll not have it
anymore, not here.

Now get back to work!

Hello, Meggie.
I've been looking for you.

What's wrong, Meggie?

Nothing.

I never get
to do anything!

The boys got to ride
all the way out

to the far paddock with Pete.

They won't even
let me on a horse.

Well, Meggie, maybe your mum
doesn't think it's safe.

Ha. She doesn't
even know I'm alive.

She doesn't care about
anyone except Frank.

But I'll tell you
one thing, Father.

When I'm grown-up,

I'm never gonna love
one of my children

any more than the others.

Here, let me help you.

What are
you doing anyway?

Cleaning out
this drain

so we can get water
to the sheep.

You really ought to
be in school, Meggie.

Wouldn't
you like that?

Yes. But they
need me to help.

Anyway, I guess
I don't need school

just to live here
on Drogheda.

Oh, but you do.

Because when your family
inherits Drogheda,

you'll be
a proper young lady.

You need to be prepared
for that.

And who knows?

You might not even want
to spend your life here.

Because big as Drogheda is,

it's only a tiny corner
of the world.

There's so much
else out there,

so many other lives
you might choose,

so many opportunities for you.

Father...

do you ever wish that
you could go out

and see the world?

I'm a priest, wee Meggie.

I must go where
the Church sends me.

Let's see if this works.

We did it!

Come on.

I'll take you
back to the house.

There's some things I want to
talk to your Aunt Mary about.

I wonder that we trouble
building and mending fences.

The rabbits
tunnel under them,

the kangas jump over them,

the wild pigs just charge
right through them.

Look at this
hellish wasteland.

A man would wonder
anything could live.

It's not like home.

Home was as green
as anything.

You'll see a bit of green
when the rains come...

if they come.

It's sheep have turned
this land into desert...

and man.

I'd say that rabbit is as safe
as houses at this rate.

This is-
Well, this is life!

Good god, boy!

I'll tell you
what life is.

Life is what you just poured
into the ground.

Sorry, Pete.

Well,
you'll learn.

But you must always know

that no matter
how much you love the outback

she'll find a dozen ways
to kill you before sundown.

What is it,
boy?

What are you
smelling now?

What is
that thing?

Jack,
hold that dog.

It's a wild pig,
a boar.

Let's get him.
No!

Stuart,
get down from there!

I want to shoot at him.

No!
He's too far away.

And if you shoot
at a wild boar,

believe me,
you'd better kill him,

or he'll kill you.

Damn!

Come on, lads.
Come on!

Stuie, no!

Stuie!

Stuie!

Thanks, twerp.

What's my best girl
been up to today?

It was so nice,
Frank.

Father Ralph
came to see me.

Really, Meggie,
he came to see everyone.

Set the table.

Mum, let me.

That's all right.

You know how
Daddy feels

about you boys
doing women's work.

Frank...

I want you to get along
with Paddy a little better.

Hello, Paddy.

Boys not with you?

They're out with Pete.

Should've been
in by now.

That smells good, Mother.

Frank, I'm about...

finished classing the ewes.

Tomorrow you're to start
for the far paddocks

and begin mustering
the rams for breeding.

If you think
I can handle it.

I don't know if you can
handle it or not,

but the man you were
skincracking to fight quit!

So you can do his work
for him!

Fee, you best put him up
plenty of tucker.

He'll be out for a while.

Never mind, Mom,
I'll do it.

You've got enough
to do already.

Now what's that
supposed to mean?

Look at her! She's so tired,
she can't even see straight!

You may think you can treat
the rest of us like slaves,

but not her! She's not some
ignorant clodhopping yokel!

Frank!

Like me, huh? Go on, say it!

Your mother
might as well see

how much respect
you've got for me.

I'm sorry, Daddy.

Daddy,
wait till you hear.

Stuie shot a boar!

He was huge,

the ugliest devil
you ever saw.

And Stuie stepped up
as nice as you please.

Bob, let Stuie tell it.

I can't believe it.

Stuie?

We were farmers, you know,
back in Galway.

One day my dad told me
to go fetch a breeding bull

from the next farm up.

We were too poor
to have one of our own.

I tried, but that
old bull was a killer.

I came back without him.

My dad called me
a good-for-nothing coward.

He said he'd show me
how to fetch a bull.

I felt so bad,
I sat down and cried.

Then after a while,
I looked up

and here come
my dad down the lane.

He had a rope in his hand,
all right,

but there was no bull
at the end of it.

He just walked on by me,
never said a word at all.

But he never called me
a coward again after that.

...for thy bounty which
we are about to receive,

for the beauty
of earth and sky,

and for the blessings
of the children

thou hast given us, Lord,

let us be
truly grateful.

Amen.

Amen.

You're a beautiful woman, Fee.

Paddy, I...

Mary thought I might be
more comfortable

in lighter clothes,
perhaps.

You told her
about the baby then?

No, no.

Isn't Stuie something,
though?

Whatever you
said to him, Paddy,

made him so happy.

Well,
that's one anyway.

I'm sorry I lost
my temper with Frank.

No. He was very wrong.

There's just
something about him

I don't understand. Something...

wild.

But what he said

about how hard
you have to work,

it's true.

I know this is
still not the life

you should have, Fee, but...

someday.

Don't talk someday, Paddy.

You've given me as much
as any woman

could possibly hope for.

Well, what are we
going to name

this baby anyway?

It smells like eggs again.

It's the brimstone.

Father Ralph says
hell must be like this.

Hey, twerp.

What are you
doing out of bed?

You shouldn't be out of bed.

You'll be leaving
early in the morning.

It's too hot to sleep.

What is it? Hmm?

You've been moping
around all week.

I don't want to
go away to school

and leave you.

Silly goose.

Gillanbone's only
40 miles away.

Father Ralph will be there.

Yes, that's so.

I'll miss you.

And Mum really
needs me here to help.

Meggie, sit up
for a minute

and listen to me.

You know how they
always preach to us

about how we must
work together

for the good of us all,

how we must never
think of ourselves first?

You've got to think
of yourself

because they never will.

Yes, they do.

It was Daddy who said
I could go to school.

Because Father Ralph
insisted he fixed it

so Aunt Mary
would pay for you,

the tight-fisted
old witch.

I want you to go,
do you hear?

I want you to go!

Run along, boys.
Run along.

Poor Meggie.

Such a hard time
fitting in.

How's our little
project coming?

Almost finished.

Excuse me.

Hold your hands out,
please.

Your hands,
Meghann Cleary.

So we're still
biting them, are we?

Yes, Sister.

All right.

Turn them over.

That will do, Sister.

Thank you.

Come along, Meggie.

I'm sorry, Father.

Are you going to send me
back to Drogheda?

That's up to you,
Meggie.

Do you want
to go back?

Oh, no!

I love school
and being here with you.

But Sister Agatha...

Well, I think
she understands

a little better now,
don't you?

But you know,
the convent

isn't really a homey
place for you.

In fact...

Annie and I
have been thinking

that what you need

is your very own
special place.

Here... with us.

Would you like that,
Meggie?

Oh, could I? Honest?

Come on.

Oh, Father!

Why do you
tug so at my heart?

Why do you fill that space
God can't fill?

Frank!

I thought you could
use some company.

Your mother says

you've been alone
out here for weeks.

Not long enough. Hey!

Hey!

How's Meggie?

She's doing
beautifully in school.

She sends her love.

We've got to get
this lot in.

The monsoons
are coming.

Why did you
become a priest?

Because I love God.

And I want
to help others

feel his love.

Why do you ask, Mike?

Because you don't act
much like a priest to me.

Being out here
gives me an escape

from my priestly
duties at the parish.

I need that,
I'm afraid.

I can understand that,
right enough.

Stuck out here
in this hellish place.

No picnic, is it?

No, it's not.

No.

The church has
such power, Frank.

Or rather, God has,

working through
the Church.

The power to shape
the lives of millions

and millions of people,

to change the whole
course of history.

And I want to be
a part of that.

I try to hold
the thought

that even out here,

I do share
in that power,

but sometimes

I find it
very difficult.

Then why
don't you escape?

Why do you put up with it,
a man like you?

You could be anything
that you wanted to be.

Yet, I give up
every ambition,

every desire, to be
the perfect priest.

"The perfect priest."

How can I explain?

I'm a vessel, Frank.

And sometimes
I'm filled with God.

If I were
a better priest,

there would be no
periods of emptiness,

no need to escape.

I would always
be filled with God.

That, to me,
would be perfection.

Nobody can be
that perfect...

not even you.

Perhaps me
least of all.

I haven't found it
easy anyway

to keep my vows,

to forgo the love
of a woman or money

or to be obedient.

That's been the hardest,
obedience.

But I've
learned to obey.

This place has
taught me that.

Maybe I should
become a priest.

I'd qualify, all right.

No woman, no money,
and, oh, do I obey!

"Yes, Daddy. No, Daddy.
Quite right, Daddy."

Why do you
put up with it?

Because I can't get away
from him!

But you're 22 now.

He can't
hold you anymore.

He'll hold me
till I die.

No, Frank.

You're a man,
and past the age

when another man
can hold you.

If you're held, it's
by something else...

or someone else.

Oh, Frank.

Mum.

It's so...
beautiful.

I've been so worried
about you.

Out there for weeks
in this storm.

God!

He's got you
pregnant again.

Frank!

He just can't leave
you alone, can he!

This is no different
from the way

you came into the world.

It deserves
the same respect.

Respect?
When he paws at you

like a dirty goat
that he is?

He is my husband!

When you insult him,
you insult me!

I'm not
the blessed Virgin!

I'm not pure,
untainted, and holy!

Frank!

Frank!

I'll end up
killing him!

Then you'll
kill me as well.

No!

I'll free you!

I can never be free.

I don't want to be free.

God!

Mother!

Look at yourself!

Look at your life!

The waste!

You don't
belong with him!

Son, you're
a man now.

You've got to stop
thinking about me so much.

You need a wife.

It's time.

Father,
you're a sight!

I should've come around
back, I suppose.

Quite all right.

Just leave your things here.
I'll collect them later.

Thank you,
Mrs. Smith.

You are
the most beautiful man

I have ever seen,
Ralph de Bricassart.

But, of course,
you already know that.

Curious how you view
us mortals with contempt

for admiring that beauty.

And yet, you would
use it without compunction

to get whatever you wanted,
wouldn't you?

I thought
it was my soul

you were after,
Mary.

It is.

Because at my age,
officially...

I'm supposed to be
beyond the drives of my body.

And one mustn't
expect miracles...

even from you.

How many women
have loved you, Ralph,

besides your mother?

Did she love me?

I don't know.

She ended up
hating me.

Because you
didn't need her.

Because I needed
God more.

Interesting.

And now...

now you can't need
any woman...

can you,
Cardinal de Bricassart?

Father, I'm so glad
you're back.

Father, what's wrong?

I'll never have
what I want!

Never be what I want!

And I don't know
how to stop...

wanting!

It's all right,
Meggie.

It's all right.

It's just that sometimes
God's lessons

are very hard
for me.

Like Sister Ag
and her ruler.

Yes.

Come on.

It's cold
in here.

You'll spoil
your dinner.

No, thank you.
Not for me.

Let's see if we can
find your family.

And now,
ladies and gents,

it is my
pleasure to present

queen of the 1921
Gillanbone show,

Miss Judy Sutton!

Good on you,
Judy.

Oh, well,
bless my beads.

It's the good
Father.

Congratulations,
Judy.

How about a kiss
for Miss Gilly, huh?

Give me something to
confess on Sunday.

Well...

I mustn't make my best girl
jealous, now must I?

Oh, no.

Around and around she goes,

the wheel of fortune.
Step right up.

Make way!
Coming through!

All right, lads, have
yourselves a good time,

but stay out
of the pub.

Thanks, Daddy.

Let's go find Pete
and unload the rams.

Here, son.

Daddy! Frank!

Meggie, me love!

Hello.

Look at you
in your uniform!

Where's Stuie?
Where's Mum?

With the baby
due so soon,

we thought Mum
best not travel.

Stuie stayed
home with her.

Stuie's been aching
to see you, Meggie,

but never mind,
'cause we're gonna

buy him something nice
with this money, all right?

All right.

Hello, Aunt Mary.

Father.

Mary, you're
looking splendid.

Will you be
staying over?

I'd rather hoped
you'd invite me

to stay
at the rectory.

You could stay
in my room.

Your room?

I thought you were
at the convent.

Oh, no. Father Ralph
gave me my very own room...

right next to his.

You're very welcome
to stay, Mary.

I'm sure my housekeeper
will be happy

to share her room
with Meggie tonight.

No, thank you.

I wouldn't want
to disturb

all your little...
arrangements.

Nice bit of riding,
Alastair.

Congratulations, Angus.
That's a fine horse.

Thank you, Mary.

Oh, Angus, this is
my brother Paddy Cleary.

Paddy, Angus MacQueen
and his son Alastair.

This is my aunt,
Sarah MacQueen.

Mr. Cleary.

Sarah, how is Melbourne
these days?

Well, really,
I hardly know.

I've been in Palm Beach
for most of the season,

then Hawaii.

Of course, one longs
for the continent,

but it's so impossibly
depressing since the war.

Paddy,
would you get me

some more champagne,
please.

Excuse me, ma'am.

Oop. Sorry, ma'am.

You look as though

you could use
a real drink, Paddy.

Oh, hello, Mr. Gough.

Oh, none of that Mr. Gough
stuff. Harry to you.

Well, Harry, then.

I'm feeling a proper fool,
and that's the truth.

If Fee was here, she could
hold her own with this lot,

but I'm...

Our squatters
like to lay it on.

Hoity-toity.
Helps them forget

their grandfathers
were burned in the hand

and sent here
in prisoner ships.

But you just as well
get used to them.

You'll be leader
of the flock one day.

Lord help me.

Come on, let's get cracking
while the pub's still open.

We've had early
closing these days.

Well, I'd like to,
but Mary wanted some-

Uh, champagne
for Mrs. Carson.

Now be grateful
we don't have

prohibition
like the yanks.

Here it is, gents!

Jimmy Sharman's
famous boxing troupe!

The world's greatest
fighters,

plus, a purse to be had
by any chap

brave enough
to have a go!

Look, they're
in their drawers.

Here we go, step right up! Five
minutes before fight time!

Come on, lads, who'll
take it for a fiver?

The last chance,
last chance for a fiver.

Here we go! Five minutes left
before the fight!

Come on, lads, here we go.
Who wants to win a five?

Look at the size of 'em all-
I will!

You will! Come right up here!
Frank, no!

Ah, we have a taker,
a brave lad.

Step right up. Here's
a pair of gloves for you.

What are you
laughing at now?

It's not the size
of the dog in the fight,

it's the size of
the fight in the dog!

Is that right? Ah, come on.

Go right inside.
Here we go.

Come along, Meggie.

No! I want to stay.

Come on. I can't
let you go, Meggie.

Your father would
flay me alive.

Now come along.

No! I'm gonna stay
with Frank!

Buy your lady fish and chips
and a glass of ale.

What do you have to lose, lads?
You work harder on the farm.

And this brave young lad
is Frank Cleary!

Frank!

Frank!

Break! Break!

Meggie.

Meggie!

Meggie!

Look, I won. I fought
four fights, and I won.

Frank, it was too scary.

You didn't let her
see it, did you?

Well, short of binding
and gagging the child,

I couldn't see
how to keep her away.

Don't be angry, Frank.
She's been upset enough already.

Hey, you mustn't
ever let Daddy know

that you were there.

Do you
understand me?

You really won?

Frank, didn't you hear me
shouting after you?

You were supposed to meet-

Oh, dear God,
look at him, would you?

I'm searching
all over for you

and you're off
picking fights again.

Not fighting, Daddy.
Boxing.

I beat four of Jimmy Sharman's
champions. Four!

Champions? A bunch of
punch-drunk old has-beens

from the country show.

I made meself £20,
Daddy.

More than Aunt Mary
pays you in a month.

£20 and the respect
of every man present.

Ah, respect!
Why don't you grow up, Frank,

for your mother's sake
if nothing else.

For her sake?

You stinking
old he-goat.

After what you've
done to her.

You couldn't leave her
alone, could you?

You couldn't keep
your hands off her.

How dare you speak
to me like that?

I'm her husband.
You're nothing better

than an old ram in rut
is what you are.

And you're no better
than the bastard

who fathered you,
whoever he was-

Frank!
No!

Oh, God. I didn't
mean that, Frank.

Frank, I didn't mean that.
I didn't mean it.

You meant it.

Let me go, Father.

I won't touch him,
so help me God.

So help you God.

God rot your souls,
both of you.

If you've ruined
that child, I'll kill you.

I should have let you
kill each other,

you miserable
self-centered cretins!

Son... wh-

What I said,
i-it's not true.

No.

No.

I've always felt it.

I've always known
that you came after me.

That she was mine first.

I've always
blamed you

for dragging her
down all these years.

It was me.

It was me.

No, Frank.

It's not your fault.

Sometimes God's ways are
hard for us to understand.

Your preaching makes me
want to puke, Father!

Frank!

Never mind.

Never mind.
I'm going.

And I won't
be back.

But Frank,
you can't go away.

What will I tell
your mother?

Frank, you mean
more to her

than all the rest of us
put together.

She'd never forgive me,
Frank.

God in heaven,
Paddy.

What possessed you
to tell him?

God,
why aren't you older

so that I could
explain this to you?

Meggie...

it weren't...

That argument
that Daddy and I had...

it's just a kind of
a sign

that it's time for me
to be going on my own.

But you mustn't tell mum
about it, do you hear?

But aren't you going
to tell Mum goodbye?

I'll write to her.

She'll understand.

Where are you going, Frank?

Well, you know the money
I won for boxing?

The man who owns
the whole troupe,

Jimmy Sharman,

he wants me to be one
of his regular fighters.

Really?

Think of that.

I'll get to travel
around the whole country

and see things
you've never dreamed of.

I wish you'd
take me with you.

Will you, Frank?

No.

What kind of life
would that be for you?

Meggie,
you must stay here

and learn to be
a great lady.

Because you know
something?

You'll be all grown up
sooner than you know.

Why don't you love me
anymore?

I do love you,
Meggie.

No, you don't.

You wouldn't leave me
if you did.

My darling,
darling Meggie.

No one will ever
love you

more than I.

Frank!

Frank!

I was the dairy hands.

I used to see Fee
in the distance

walking with Frank.

He was only a baby then.

Then one day,

old Roderick Armstrong
came to see me.

He said his daughter had
disgraced the family.

They wanted
to send her away,

but the old grandmother
wouldn't hear of it.

Now the old lady
was dying,

there was
nothing to stop them.

They said...

said if I married Fee,
take her away,

they'd pay me enough
money to set us up.

So you married a lady
far above you.

Well, it wasn't
the money, Father.

She was so beautiful.

I wanted to see her safe
and not abused.

To me,
she's beautiful still.

She is indeed.

And in Meggie, I can see what
she must've been like then.

Yeah.

I was frightened
to death of her at first.

It took me two years to
get up enough courage to-

Was a...

be a proper husband to her.

I love her so much,
Father.

I know she's never had
that feeling for me...

not even in the most
private moments

of our lives together.

But never once
in all these years

has she ever complained
or cried or...

or laughed.

How's Meggie?

What in heaven's name
happened here today?

Oh, Father.

Promise you won't
ever leave me.

Oh, Meggie.

Darling Meggie.

Meggie,
Frank had to leave.

Why?
Because...

because it hurt him
too much to stay.

It'll hurt more
without mum and me...

because we're the ones
who love him.

Meggie, for each of us,
there comes a time

when he must search

for the thing he thinks
he needs above all else,

no matter what it costs.

You mean the thing that
will make him happy?

Happy.

There's a story...

a legend...

about a bird that sings
just once in its life.

The moment it leaves its nest,
it searches for a thorn tree

and never rests
until it's found one.

And then it sings...

more sweetly than
any other creature

on the face of the earth.

And singing,
it impales itself

on the longest,
sharpest thorn.

But... as it dies,

it rises above
its own agony,

to outsing the lark
and the nightingale.

The thorn bird pays its life

for just one song...

but the whole world
stills to listen.

And god in his heaven smiles.

What does it mean,
Father?

That the best...

is bought only
at the cost of great...

pain.

Thank you, Meggie.

What a pleasure having you
do that for me.

From now on, I'll call you
"Our Lady of the Gates."

How many of those
wretched gates are there

between Gillanbone
and Drogheda?

Twenty-seven, Father.
Twenty-seven.

And that means one has
to stop and get out...

Well, how many times?

Fifty-four, Father.

Well done. Fifty-four times
coming and 54 times going.

Now, if a priest were to travel
between Gilly and Drogheda

to see his favorite person,
say, once each month,

how many times would he
have to stop and get out

during one year's time?

It's all right,
Father.

With the baby
to take care of,

I'll be too busy
to miss school.

Oh, Meggie.

Meggie.

Sometimes I long to
throw open all those gates,

and race down the road
and never stop.

Just leave all 27 of them
gaping open

like astonished
mouths behind me.

Goodbye, Father.

Hello, Mum.

Hello, Meggie.

Oh, Mum!

Hal's beautiful!

Father de Bricassart,

how very nice
to see you again.

Why did you do it,
Mary?

When the dress on your back

would pay her tuition
for the rest of the year!

Ralph, I don't believe
I've ever seen you

so-So impassioned.

I thought it best to take
Meghann out of school.

Fee is not well.
She needs the help.

Why do you dislike
Meggie so much?

She's a beautiful,
intelligent little girl,

yet no one seems to give
a rap about her!

Which means you can
be sure of her love,

and it's all
so innocent

and so safe for you,
isn't it?

No danger
to your reputation,

no threat to those not-so-holy
ambitions of yours.

Oh, Mary, this is
unworthy even of you.

I am, after all,
a priest.

You are a man first,
Ralph de Bricassart.

No, Mary. A priest.

First, last, and always.

Coming along beautifully,
Meggie.

This time next year,

you'll be ready for the horse
trials at the Gilly fair.

But then, Father,
by this time next year,

you could
be in Rome.

Poor little Hal, I think
he's a might feverish, Meggie.

Uh, Mrs. Smith, please
take the children

in the kitchen
for tea.

You have
heard the news?

The pope has decided
that Australia

should have
its very own cardinal.

I had no idea
you stayed current

with Church
politics.

But it's so intriguing,
don't you think?

His Holiness is
sending a papal legate

to search the length
and breadth of this land

to find a man worthy enough
to wear the biretta.

Now, that's like Cinderella!

Mary, much as I love
sparring with you,

it's time
we made a truce.

A truce?

The priest
confesses.

It's true I once
had ambitions-

great ambitions,
which I thwarted

by my own stupid
lack of humility.

Then I was
sent here.

And here you were,
a good Catholic,

with Drogheda,
and no heirs.

Or so I thought.

And you thought, "Aha!
My ticket to the Vatican."

Put with
typical cruelty,

but... perhaps
not undeserved.

The point is
I've changed,

and it's largely you
I have to thank for it.

Me?

When you made
the Clearys your heirs,

you dashed all my hopes,
just as you intended.

But it freed me, too,
from all my old desires.

Mary, I'm a priest.

Only that,

and content.

Oh, bravo, Ralph!
Bravo!

I can't remember when I've
enjoyed a performance more.

Mary.

"All my old desires."

Oh, that is wonderful.
That is wonderful.

Well, I'll let you
stew a while longer.

But your day of
reckoning is coming.

Don't you ever doubt it.

How you do love

the illusion
of your own power.

Don't make me pity you.

Pity me? Pity me?!

Ho ho! Do you doubt
I can't make you writhe yet,

do you think I can't
make you sell yourself

like a painted whore
before I'm finished with you?

I don't doubt
you'll try,

but take care.

In trying so hard
to destroy my soul,

you may
lose your own...

if there's still
one there to lose.

Or still one
there to destroy!

In a Christian
country,

all this commotion
would mean rain.

Those grazing lands
are as dry as chips.

Not a mouthful of
grass anywhere.

I reckon
we'll be lucky lads

if this lightning doesn't
set the whole range aflame.

Did I ever really say
Drogheda was heaven?

Good night, Fish.

Daddy, come on.

Little Hal
is very sick.

Fee, what-

Oh, Daddy!

It's very bad, Paddy.

For God's sake,
someone get a doctor!

I phoned from
Aunt Mary's.

He's all the way out
to Dibban-Dibban.

Bob, get some more sulfur
from the storehouse.

May Christ receive thee
who hath called thee,

and may
the angels bear thee

unto Abraham's bosom.

Meggie, what is it?

I'm all right.

But you're not.

Will you just
talk to me?

There's nothing wrong
with me.

Leave me alone!

Meggie!

Meggie!

She's doing it again,
Father.

She's been like this ever since
little Hal died.

I know. She won't
talk to me, either.

Well, we can't let this go on.

Meggie.

Meggie, listen to me.

You've got to stop this.

I know how much
you loved Hal,

but you can't
go on grieving this way.

Meggie, please,

you're wasting away
before my very eyes.

I can't bear it!

Father,
you make me so ashamed.

It's...

It's not Hal.

I mean,
I do miss him, but...

What, then?
Are you sick?

I can't tell you.

You can
tell me anything.

That's what I'm here for.
I'm a priest.

And I love you, just the way
God loves you, wee Meggie.

Father...

I'm dying.

Dying?

Just like Hal,
only it's-

It's some kind of
tumor or something.

How do you-How do you
know this, dear heart?

I get the most
awful pains, Father.

And then there's
a lot of blood.

But it's not
all the time.

Just every month or so?

Yes.

How did you know that?

My precious girl...

You're not dying.

You're growing up.

Why your mum didn't explain
all this to you...

She should have, you know.

You mean mum does it too?

All healthy women do,
Meggie,

except when
they're expecting a baby.

Then it's needed to nourish
the baby inside their womb.

Do you understand?

Sort of.
Like when it says

"blessed be the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus"?

That's right.

Meggie...

do you know what...

what makes babies?

Of course, Father!

It comes from mating,
like the rams and ewes.

I've tried
to watch them.

But Daddy said I mustn't.

But I've heard
the boys talking.

Isn't that right, Father?

Yes, but...

You see, Meggie,

it's very different
with people,

or it should be
because God intended

that when a man
and a woman mate,

they do it as a way
of showing their love

for each other.

So it's a mating
not just of bodies,

but of souls.

It must be
so wonderful.

So I understand.

Will it be that way
for you and me?

What?

When I grow up
and we get married.

Now, Meggie...

you know priests can't marry.

You can always stop
being a priest.

Oh, no.

No, no,
Meggie, darling.

I can never stop
being a priest.

Not ever.

What about those tarts
you promised me.

Yes! Come on.

Father, I'm so glad
I'm not dying.

What would
I ever do without you?

You'll never
be without me.

What would her majesty be
wanting with me

at this late date?

Heaven knows.

Still a thousand
things to do

and the guests
are almost upon us.

I'll take that.
I'm going up anyway.

Come in.

Happy birthday, ma'am.

And if we aren't
a picture today.

Thank you, Pete.

But birthdays at our ages

are rather a mixed blessing,
aren't they?

What is that?

Oh, I was just taking it
along to Meggie, ma'am.

I thought you
wouldn't mind

if the Clearys
dressed here

so as they wouldn't be
dust to the waist from walking.

Mm-hmm, good. That's a pretty
color for Meghann.

What do you call that?

Ashes of roses,
ma'am.

It's quite the thing
just now.

Now you will help her

dress this evening.

We want her to look
absolutely irresistible.

Has Father de Bricassart
arrived yet?

Uh, no, not yet.

But your lawyer
Mr. Gough is here.

Good... good.

Now, I want you both to
watch me sign this paper,

and then I want you

to put your names
beneath mine.

Oh, you can write,
can't you, Pete?

I can manage a little bit,
yes, ma'am.

Fine, fine.

It's just that
you are a witness

that this is
indeed my signature,

in case there's
ever a question.

Good.

And please,
send Harry Gough to me.

Yes, ma'am.

I'll fetch Mr. Gough.

Why, Mrs. Cleary,
you look stunning.

Thank you.

For once in her life,

Mary's opened up
her wallet wide enough

to let the moths fly out,
hasn't she?

But I suppose she doesn't
want her poor relations

shaming her
on her 75th birthday.

Well, I best
get this to Meggie

or she'll be late.

Fee.

Why, Paddy, you look
like a diplomat.

Do I?

I feel like
an undertaker.

But you...

Oh, Fee,

you look just grand.

Harry,
doesn't she look grand?

My dear Fee, you look like
the lady of the manor.

Is that a legal opinion,
Mr. Gough?

Help me with these,
will you?

Yes, yes.

I think they'll do,

even if they're
not quite real.

Never you mind.

Someday,
I'm going to buy you

the finest
strand of pearls

in all of Australia.

Really,
it's astonishing

how few interesting men
there are since the war.

And that's been
10 years,

I mean,
virtually one's whole life.

But they're either doddering

or they're mere children.

Where on Earth
has Meggie got to?

Mrs. Smith's says
she's about got her ready.

That's Stuart Cleary.

Little Stuie Cleary?

Honestly, Lucy.
Not bad-looking, I suppose,

but such a rube
like all those Clearys.

Still, he might
do for you.

And of course
they'll be frightfully rich

when she goes.

Father.

Happy birthday,
Mary.

How delightful you look,
like a young girl.

Well, Mary,
you've outdone yourself.

This must be
the finest party

the district has seen
in 50 years.

Easily, easily.

I hope you're staying over

because I've planned

some real festivities
for tomorrow.

I'd be delighted.

Harry.

Hello, Father.

Father, what a delight
to see you.

Good evening,
Miss Carmichael.

But you've been dreadfully
neglectful, you know.

Mother was just saying
the other day

you hadn't been to Beel-Beel
for the longest time.

Thank you.

Hello, Alastair.

How are you fellows
this evening?

Paddy, you remember
my sister Sarah.

Yes, of course.

But I don't know if you've
met my wife Fiona?

Heavens, I would
never have dreamed

you were Paddy's wife.

Sarah just returned
from the States.

Oh, my dears,

you can't imagine
what the crash has done-

Wall Street is a shambles.

People throwing themselves
out of windows.

That can't happen here,

not with the wool market
we've got.

Do you realize how much
this country

exported last year?

Good Lord. Who is that?

Excuse me.

Meggie,
you're so beautiful.

Oh, thanks, Stuie.

I give you
Mary Carson.

A dear-A dear
and generous sister,

a great lady,

and queen of this
beautiful land of Drogheda,

may she reign forever.

Thank you,
thank you, all.

And thank you, Paddy,
for your words and wishes.

But no one reigns forever.

The time is coming
and soon

when I must pass
the reign of Drogheda

on to someone else.

As we all know, those of us
who have lived here

and fought the drought
and the floods,

and the heat and the cold,

and yet managed to prosper

and become masters
of all we survey,

this land
can be a heaven...

or a hell.

My fondest wishes
for those who come after me

is that it be far more one
than the other.

Happy birthday.

Dance with me, Mary.

Oh, no, Father.
I'm too decrepit.

Nonsense. I insist.

That was a beautiful speech,
Mary.

You made Paddy
very happy.

I truly wonder

if she isn't getting
a bit senile.

I mean, tricked out
exactly like a bride.

So grossly unsuitable.

Someone should've
told her

she looks like death
in white.

Beauty and the beast.

Look at him, grinning at her
just like he didn't care

she left that lot
to those Clearys.

Of course, he's too holy
for filthy lucre

and such like anyhow,
isn't he?

Of course it does make
those Cleary boys

more interesting. Hmm.

Ah, she's a grand
old girl, eh, Paddy?

Aye, that she is.

By the by, I've been
meaning to ask,

Mary usually chairs
the race committee

for the Gilley Show,

but I wondered if you
might be interested

in doing the honors
this year?

As she's declined.

Thank you, Angus.

Thank you.

What's the matter, Mary?
Are you all right?

Yes. I'm all right,
I'm all right.

Let's let the others
have a chance.

Please, dance.

Cynthia.

I never supposed we could
still dance together.

How long has it been,
do you think?

It's been 30 years
in January.

How can you
remember that?

Oh, I remember it
very well.

We went to the century ball
in Wahine on New Year's Eve.

Frank was just a baby.

Good evening, Meggie.

Will you dance
with me?

Oh, thank you, Alastair.

Um, I don't know
how to dance.

It's awfully hot
for dancing anyway.

Perhaps you'd care
for some punch?

Yes, thank you.

Look at the boys,
will you?

Standing around
shy as kangas.

It's my fault.

I should've taught them
a few of the social graces.

How to dance,
what to say to a girl.

There's been little time
for anything

but hard work
all these years.

I guess we're just
beginning to realize

how many changes
there will be in our lives.

Will it make you happy,
Paddy, being rich?

I could never be
a rich man, Fee.

Not if I was to have
a million pounds.

I wouldn't know
how to be.

It's knowing
you'll be living

the way you always
should have,

that you'll take
your place again.

That's what
makes me happy.

Father Ralph,
about the bingo,

I must take
exception to it.

If could we have
a little talk-

Father?

Are you enjoying
the party?

Oh, Meggie, yes.

Are you?

Yes, it's a lovely party.

Excuse me, Meggie.

Father.

She is lovely,
isn't she?

There's not a man
in this room

who wouldn't give up
everything

just to have her,
is there?

Now, Mary,
you're baiting me again.

Not one man.

Except perhaps you.

Once a long time ago

I offered you a chance
at the cardinal's robe,

and you turned me down.

But I wonder-I wonder...

if you had to choose
between Meggie...

and the cardinal's robe...

which would you choose?

Oh, Mary,

what would I have
done without you

these past years?

Your wit, perception...

your malice.

Father, why don't you
want to be with me?

Talk to me?

Is there something wrong?

You look lovely, Meggie.

So grown up.

I have to speak
to the MacQueens.

Meggie.

What a sweet dress.

Thank you,
Miss Carmichael.

Mrs. Smith
made it for me.

I helped, though.

Did you?

Well, I'm sure I haven't
seen anything like it

in the fashion pages.

You know, I keep expecting
to see you at the horse tracks.

Ralph tells me you might become
quite an able rider one day.

Of course some people
are saying

that it isn't quite
the thing for him

to be spending
so much time in Drogheda.

But I think
it's splendid of Ralph

to take such an interest
in you Clearys.

Ralph, you haven't danced
with me all evening.

You must do
the Black Bottom with me.

You always do it
so well.

Look, everyone,

Father's going to do
the Black Bottom.

Father, it's time for me
to go up.

Please, everybody,
it's almost dawn.

Please stay
and enjoy yourselves.

Goodnight, Mary.

Will you see me
up the stairs?

Of course.

Good night. It's been
a wonderful party, Mary.

Yes, hasn't it?

It was a wonderful party,
Mary,

and I hope a wonderful
birthday for you.

My last. I'm tired of living.
I'm going to stop.

Fiddlesticks.

You know you're planning
something special

for tomorrow.
You told me so yourself.

Yes, I remember,
I remember.

But I won't see you.

Kiss me goodbye, Ralph.

Mary...

Good night. Sleep well.

No! On my mouth!

Kiss me on my mouth
as if we were lovers!

Mary, I am a priest.

A priest! You're not a man
nor a priest!

You're some impudent
useless thing

that doesn't know
how to be either.

You're wrong, Mary.
I know how to be a man,

but to be a man on your terms
is to be no priest,

and I have chosen
to be a priest.

With the free will
God has given us,

and with that same free will,

I have chosen to
destroy you, priest.

Oh, I'll go to hell
for it, of course,

but it'll be nothing
to the hell

I'm planning for you.

It's yourself you'll destroy

with this everlasting
hatred of yours.

When Satan tempted Christ
with the whole world,

is it because he hated him
or because he loved him?

You don't love me.
I have always loved you!

So much so I would've
killed you

for not wanting me!

But I-I found
a better method.

No, not love.

I'm the goad of
your old age, that's all.

A reminder of what
you can no longer be.

Let me tell you something,

Cardinal de Bricassart,

about old age

and about that God of yours,

that vengeful God
who ruins our bodies

and leaves us with only enough
wit for regret.

Inside this stupid body,

I am still young!

I still feel! I still want!

I still dream!

And I still love you!

Oh, God, how much!

Meggie!

Meggie.

Meggie.

Meggie, darling,
don't cry.

Here...

Here now.

Dry your eyes
like a good girl.

I don't want it!

I'm not a child anymore.

Why don't you just
go back to your dancing?

I know
you're not a child.

Anyone can see
you've grown

into a beautiful
young woman.

You were by far
the loveliest girl

at the party tonight.

But that's just
the problem.

They all know
I come to Drogheda

more often than I need.

If I paid you

a scary bit of
attention tonight,

it would've been all over
the district in record time.

Don't you see?

No, I don't see.

I think you do.

Come here.

Come on.

Now, Meggie...

Meggie, Meggie...

we've been
over this before.

What you mustn't do

is get in the habit
of dreaming about me

in some sort of
romantic fashion.

When you're a woman,
you'll meet the man

destined to be
your husband.

And then you'll
be far too busy

getting on with your
life to think about me,

except as an old friend
who helped you through

some of the bad times
of growing up.

All right, my Meggie?

Yes, Father.

I understand.

Come on.

Come on.

What are you thinking, Father?

Just about the land.

That it's so beautiful,
so pure,

and so indifferent to the fates
of the creatures

who presume to rule it.

And what
are you thinking,

my dearest Meggie?

Just that I wish the sun
would never come up.

And we could stay
like this forever.

Father!

What is it,
Mrs. Smith?

It's Mrs. Carson,
Father.

She's dead.

In nomine patris,

et filii,

et spiritus sancti.

Mrs. Smith,
we'll have to hold

the funeral right away,
with this heat.

Yes, Father.
I've sent Pete down for Paddy

and I've telephoned
to the others.

Many of them haven't
even reached home yet

from the party, you know.

Father...

Harry, you've heard?

It's terrible.

Terrible.

Father, I must
speak to you.

Can it wait?
I have some arrange-

Mary's orders.
Please.

Fancy the old monster
popping off like that

to spite God and all.

She probably
did herself in.

Unless it was the devil
doing us all a favor.

Crying shame all the ice
got used up last night.

I have here
Mary's will.

As you've probably guessed,

she left everything to Paddy
and his family.

Well, she did leave
a bit to the Church

and some to you.

Shouldn't the Clearys
be here for this?

Yes, we'll have
the reading later,

after the funeral.

But Mary gave this to me

last night
before the party.

I was to read it to you

the moment I learned
of her death.

Of course,
I had no idea then...

Good Lord.
It's a new will.

Dated yesterday.

But why would
she make it without me?

"I, Mary Elizabeth
Carson, et cetera, etc.,

"bequeath all
my worldly goods

"to the Holy Catholic
Church of Rome

"on the conditions that
she show appreciation

"of the worth and
ability of her servant,

"Father Ralph
de Bricassart,

"and that said Father
Ralph de Bricassart

"serve as
the chief authority

in charge of my estate."

Well.

Congratulations, Father.

You got the lot after all,

all £13 million of it.

£13 million? I...

But what about the Clearys?

Oh, they, uh...

They get to stay on
as managers.

Decent of her not to
throw them out entirely.

And there's, uh...

Ten thousand a year
for your personal use.

And a note to you.

"My dear Ralph,
how do you like my new will?

"Of course you can
destroy it if you wish.

"It's the only copy.

"My lawyer
will never tell.

"No one will be the wiser
and Meggie will be...

"the richer, won't she?

"But I know what you'll do,

"I know it as surely
as if I could be there

watching when they give you
that red robe and mitre."

Father, listen...

there's no denying
it was Mary's property

to dispose of in
any manner she wished.

I'm not a Catholic,
so forgive me.

But we both know

the Church has no right
to the estate.

Please...

let's just destroy this.

Let poor old Paddy
and his family

have what's rightfully theirs.

Father...

it's so awful.

Paddy,
I'm so sorry.

My poor sister.

I can't believe it.
I can't believe it.

What are we going to do?

I don't know what to do.

"De profundis clamavi
ad te,

"domine, exaudi
vocem meam.

"Fiant aures
tuae intendentes,

"in vocem
deprecationis meae.

"Si iniquitates
observaveris, domine.

"Domine,
quis sustinebit?

"Quia apud
te propitiatio est,

"et propter legem
tuam sustini te, domine.

"Sustinuit anima
mea in verbo ejus,

speravit anima
mea in domino..."

We gather here,

shocked and saddened
by the sudden death

of our friend,
Mary Carson.

Yet, we take comfort
in the knowledge

that in her last hour
she was not alone.

Not the greatest

nor the humblest
living being dies alone.

For in the hour
of our death,

our Lord Jesus Christ
is with us, within us,

and death is sweet.

We all know
what Mary was.

A pillar of the community,
a pillar of the Church.

And it was the Church
she loved

more than any living being.

For she understood so well
the words of Saint Matthew,

"where your treasure is,
there will be your heart also."

Let us pray
for her immortal soul,

that she,
whom we loved in life,

will enjoy her just
and eternal reward.

And as we pray,
let us remember

that our Lord
is rich in mercy.

And let us not forget...

that we are dust,

and unto dust
we shall return.

"...by my hand, this 24th
day of November,

"in the year of our Lord 1929,

Mary Elizabeth Carson,
nee Cleary."

Yesterday.

Well...

I won't deny it's a bit
of a disappointment.

Paddy, I want you
to contest.

That wouldn't be right.

It was her money,
wasn't it?

If she wanted to leave it
to the Church...

And then,
13 million quid, I...

I wouldn't know
how to look after

that kind of money.

You don't understand, Paddy.

There are hundreds
of people employed

to look after it for you.

Please contest.

I'll get you the best
KC's in the country.

We'll fight it all the way to
the privy council if necessary.

Well...

What do you think?

But we can live
on Drogheda anyway,

and have this house.

Isn't that what
the will says?

No one can
throw you off Drogheda

so long as even one of your
Father's grandchildren lives.

What more do we want?

Damn!

I hate to see you cheated.

Fee, I don't know
what to do.

All the things
I wanted for you.

I don't want.

Mary's 13 million
pieces of silver.

Then that settles it.

No, thank you.

No, thank you. I think
it's time we were going.

They're reading the will.

You don't think that
I'm going to leave

until I've seen
their faces, do you?

Sarah, sometimes I think
you lack human feeling.

Paddy's very grieved
about Mary's death.

Still, what is the harm

in congratulating him?

Here they come.

Father...

Please don't think

there are any hard feelings
on our side.

Mary was never swayed

by another human being
in all her life,

brother or priest.

If she left it
to the Church

it was because you were
mighty good to her.

You've been mighty good
to us, as well.

We'll never forget that.

Thank you, Paddy.

The old bitch.

Father?

Father, what is it?

She's won, Meggie.

I've betrayed you.

Betrayed me?

Oh, she knew me so well.

She knew if she stripped
you of everything,

I'd have no choice, but no.

She made sure you'd
neither want for anything

nor have anything either.

All your life,
you'll have to look to me.

I don't understand.

You'll be respectable,

even socially admissible,

but you'll never
quite be "Miss Cleary,"

never quite be one of them.

I don't want to be
one of them.

To be stupid and vicious
and cruel like Miss Carmichael.

How can you think
of that, Father?

Oh, Meggie,
don't call me Father.

I'll be going away,
Meggie, soon.

Oh, Father.

Why?

Don't you see?

It's part of her plan.

I've brought in £13 million.

And a holy priest who's
brought in £13 million

will not be left to languish
here in the back and beyond.

The Church knows
how to reward its own.

Oh, no.

No!

My Meggie...

it's better this way.

How can it be better,

to take away what I love most
in the world?

Then better for me.

Better than someday having to
marry you to somebody else.

Better than staying here
to watch you change

into something
I can never have.

Meggie, when I saw you
last night,

I almost hated you.

Hated me?

For growing up?

Yes! Yes!

Oh, Meggie...

when you were a little girl,

you were like
my own child to me,

you were the rose of my life.

I could have you then.

You can have me now.

You can marry me.

You love me!

But I love God more.

I do love you, Meggie.

I always will.

But I can't be
a husband to you.

If only I could
make you understand

what being
a priest means to me.

How God fills a need in me
no human being ever could.

Not even me?

I can't!

I can't!

Goodbye, my Meggie.

Father!

Father!

Go on, then.

Go on to that God of yours.

But you'll come back to me

because I'm the one
who loves you.

The saga continues,

as a way of life
is threatened

and forbidden love is given...

Oh, you've come back.

Then taken away.

My life belongs to God.

And new desires are ignited.

He was a fool to let you go.

While ambition lights
the road to Rome.

The Thorn Birds continues.