Friedrich, John

The Thorn Birds

The second most-watched miniseries (after Roots) of all time, The Thorn Birds was originally broadcast in 1983 and captivated viewers with its story of a lifelong conflict between the spirit and the flesh. Adapted from the bestselling novel by Colleen McCullough, the production stars Richard Chamberlain as a Catholic priest named Ralph de Bricassart, whose life in Australia between 1920 and 1962 is one long torment as he pines for his lover, Meggie Cleary (Rachel Ward), while seeking advancement in his clergyman career. The passion and the guilt make for compelling drama, but a stellar cast of supporting players adds muscle to the proceedings: Barbara Stanwyck (who won an Emmy for her work as Meggie's tough aunt), Jean Simmons, Richard Kiley, Christopher Plummer, Bryan Brown, and Mare Winningham. Chamberlain, who was something of the king of the miniseries form at the time, is very good in the lead, as is the often-underrated Ward. Their affair is indeed irresistible to watch, which proves to be true, too, of the story's thick weave of church politics, forbidden desire, social change over decades, and family secrets. --Tom Keogh

Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 06/07/2005 Starring: Richard Chamberlain Run time: 480 minutes Rating: Nr

The Wanderers

Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 09/03/2002 Rating: R

Final Terror

A group of friends and their girlfriends head out for what is expected to be a vacation of hiking camping and a good time but when a backwoods mama finds them on her turf it becomes anything but a vacation.System Requirements:Running Time - 82 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: HORROR Rating: R UPC: 692865199434 Manufacturer No: T-1994

The Boy in the Plastic Bubble

Before their blockbuster collaboration on Grease, John Travolta and director Randal Kleiser boosted their early careers with this well-acted, sensitively directed television movie. Teenager Tod Lubitch (Travolta) is forced to live in a plastic isolation chamber because he was born with a nonfunctioning immune system, leaving him vulnerable to even the most common everyday viruses. A unique coming-of-age story, the movie (first telecast in 1976) has become the subject of jokes over the years, but Travolta's comeback has sparked new interest in the star's Welcome Back, Kotter days. --Jeff Shannon

A Small Circle of Friends

Brad Davis Karen Allen and Jameson Parker star as three college students transformed by the turbulent 60s in this endearing illuminating and haunting (After Dark) film that delivers a convincing evocative (Films in Review) portrait of an unforgettable era. A bright future appears in store for Harvard freshmen Leo (Davis) Jessica (Allen) and Nick (Parker). The dynamic Leo loses no time in wooing Jessica and making a name for himself on the campus paper. But romance and political idealism clash with reality when Jessica takes up with Nick and Leo s draft number comes up. As their small circle becomes an unorthodox love triangle each must face up to events that will change their lives forever.System Requirements: Running Time 112 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: R UPC: 027616909053 Manufacturer No: 1006756

The Boy in the Plastic Bubble

BOY IN THE PLASTIC BUBBLE THE (DVD MOVIE)

Before their blockbuster collaboration on Grease, John Travolta and director Randal Kleiser boosted their early careers with this well-acted, sensitively directed television movie. Teenager Tod Lubitch (Travolta) is forced to live in a plastic isolation chamber because he was born with a nonfunctioning immune system, leaving him vulnerable to even the most common everyday viruses. A unique coming-of-age story, the movie (first telecast in 1976) has become the subject of jokes over the years, but Travolta's comeback has sparked new interest in the star's Welcome Back, Kotter days. --Jeff Shannon

The Boy in the Plastic Bubble/The Harrad Experiment

This double feature film DVD includes "The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (color 1976)," and "The Harrad Experiment(color 1973)."

The Boy in the Plastic Bubble

Before their blockbuster collaboration on Grease, John Travolta and director Randal Kleiser boosted their early careers with this well-acted, sensitively directed television movie. Teenager Tod Lubitch (Travolta) is forced to live in a plastic isolation chamber because he was born with a non-functioning immune system, leaving him vulnerable to even the most common everyday viruses. A unique coming-of-age story, the movie (first telecast in 1976) has become the subject of jokes over the years, but Travolta's comeback has sparked new interest in the star's Welcome Back, Kotter days. --Jeff Shannon

Boy in the Plastic Bubble

Before their blockbuster collaboration on Grease, John Travolta and director Randal Kleiser boosted their early careers with this well-acted, sensitively directed television movie. Teenager Tod Lubitch (Travolta) is forced to live in a plastic isolation chamber because he was born with a nonfunctioning immune system, leaving him vulnerable to even the most common everyday viruses. A unique coming-of-age story, the movie (first telecast in 1976) has become the subject of jokes over the years, but Travolta's comeback has sparked new interest in the star's Welcome Back, Kotter days. --Jeff Shannon

The Wanderers [Region 2]