Sharpe (TV Series) Sharpe's Rifles (1993) User Reviews

One of Television's all time best movie series

[TexasRedge · 8/10 · 17 April 2002]

If America only knew how good this was,it would be the highest rated Made-For-TV movie series of all time(hard to believe there are more people out there that would rather watch "The Columbo Mysteries" than Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe Chronicles- that just goes to show the power of major network name-brand advertising.

The Richard Sharpe movie series has been television at its finest. I have seen all of the BBC Sharpe series movies,"Sharpe's Waterloo" is my favorite of the films. However I tune in to PBS everytime they air the Sharpe movies. So far all the movies have been based on the Sharpe Chronicles - adventure novels written by Bernard Cornwell(the same author who wrote "Rebel"). Each Movie chronicles the on-going adventures of Richard Sharpe who is a Brittish Lt. in the Brittish military during the late 1790's-to early 1800's during the Napoleonic era in Europe. I sincerly believe that each one of these Films has been good enough to have shown at the movie theaters,if the producers had wanted to. Unlike other Made-For-TV films,The Hornblower films do not have that Made-For-TV feeling to them,like most television movies have. However each of the Sharpe Movies picks up exactly where the last one left off. The only negative thing I can say about this movie series is the use of an electric guitar as the background music- I have to take points off for that, because the sometimes screeching guitar noises can become annoying at times.

A common misconception that people who havent seen these movies have is that all of these films go to gether as a mini-series- that is not true. The Sharpe movies are not a mini-series,all of these films are individual movies about the same charactor, However they are sequels to each other each picking up where the last film left off.- with all the same actors playing the same roles in each film(EXAMPLE:think of the James Bond films-that same principle applies to the Sharpe movies,but unlike Bond, the Sharpe films are sequels)

If you have seen the Sharpe movies and you liked them and you wish to see more similar themed programing, I will suggest A&E's Horatio Hornblower movies(6 movies in all- same basic priciple as the Sharpe movie except Hornblower is in the Brittish Navy to whereas Sharpe is a ground soldier)

I give the entire Sharpe movie series 4 out of 5 stars. Its near Perfect entertainment- but you cant please everyone, so for those of you dont like epic Napoleonic era battles,classic historic style drama,high stakes adventure, and danger on the European battlefields,if you dont like stuff like that-there is always a Columbo re-run for you to watch.

Excellent start to a classic series

[no-skyline · 8/10 · 4 May 2006]

Sharpe is without doubt one of the biggest achievements of British TV drama. All involved have worked wonders with the source material managing to squeeze in all the important elements of Bernard Cornwalls series of novels. Sean Bean is perfect for the role of Sharpe and with excellent support from Daragh O'Malley as Harper and the beautiful Assumpta Serena as Teresa this show really hits the ground running.

Sharpe is all about action and follows a similar blue print to the likes of Bond. Sharpe gets a mission from Wellington then the plot thickens to take in treachery and intrigue and then we get an action filled finale.

Sharpe has it's basis in reality most characters were real people Wellington etc, it takes in real events such as the battle of talevera and the weaponry, uniforms etc are accurate. But from there on in this is adventure in the boys own style and Sharpe is the perfect hero tough and always ready for a fight.

Sharpe is great TV entertainment and a nice change of pace from the reality TV hell we seem to be stuck in at present.

8/10

An enjoyable action/adventure t.v. series out of the UK.

[=G= · 7/10 · 1 September 2003]

"Sharpe's Rifles" is the first in a series of about 14 teleplays with Sean Bean playing the rough, tough commander of a motley bunch of sharp shooters who fight for Britain in the Peninsular campaign (circa 1808ish). The film is an enjoyable action/adventure romp with Sharpe as much a ladies' man as a man's man who must prove himself to both in this foray into Spain on a somewhat ambiguous mission. Not to be taken seriously, "Sharpe's Rifles" is just fun stuff for anyone into adventure flix set during the Napoleonic Wars. Note: the video quality on the bare bones DVD I watched was no better than I would expect from broadcast and there were no CC's, subtitles, or extra features. (B-)

Great Movie Even If You're Not Historically Inclined

[Taurin · 26 September 2001]

The Napoleonic Wars are not typically my historical period of interest. A friend of mine had seen some of the Sharpe's movies on Public Television, bought the first set of videos and basically browbeat me into watching them. We watched Sharpe's Rifles, the first of the series, one night when I was over for dinner, and he gladly let me borrow the rest of that first set when I left. I was greatly, and pleasantly impressed. Sean Bean is, of course, a spectacular actor, and he brings a realistic personality to a character of the period. Richard Sharpe is a hero that's not always behaving quite like a hero, but when one realises that he was a commoner from a world where if he didn't join the army, he would've ended up a criminal, one can at least appreciate his behaviour, even if one doesn't always agree with it. The supporting cast also does a wonderful job. The series puts Sharpe in the forefront of actual historical events, specifically battles, and one is tempted to believe that he was a real person. If you're a fan of Sean Bean, if you're a fan of period movies, or Hell! if you're a fan of movies...period, you should check out at least the first set of Sharpe's movies, starting with this one.

Excellent action and drama. Always interesting.

[bowtro · 10/10 · 31 March 2006]

This is one of 14 "Sharpe" movie series. They are all very good. They are never dull. Mixes enough historical data to create interest. Costumes and equipment authentic. His struggle to overcome his lowly birth and better himself through military service achievement is heart rending. Gen Sir Wellesly who commissioned him from a Sgt. believes in him and backs him subtly. His faithful friend Sgt.Harper shares many adventure and helps Lt.Sharpe through many escapades. Assumpta Serena as his love interest, Teresa, and later wife is very well played. Sharpe has to constantly overcome hardship, discriminations and problems his peers do not. He is constantly being ragged on by his superiors and fellow officers who are much less brave. Sharpe has integrity and grit which is a big help to him. But he always wins the girl and overcomes by sheer determination and street smarts. One of the best TV series ever.

Gripping start to the Sharpe film series

[Hayden-86055 · 8/10 · 21 July 2021]

Sharpe's Rifles is the first of the brilliant Sharpe films, it's not the best but it does a perfect job of setting up the main characters and getting to know them before the other ones. The plot is decent, it lacks a good villain or a huge battle but it's still fine. Interesting to see how Sharpe rose up the ranks and the pushback he got from not only the privileged snobs but also the soldiers who think he's not a proper officer because he's more like one of them.

8/10: Very enjoyable introduction to the series, although the best is yet to come.

Fun adventure, but too many discrepancies

[djhscan · 6/10 · 20 December 2012]

I love the books, although it was the films that I first discovered. The films are still great stories, but I think there are too many discrepancies compared to the books.

Sean Bean is excellent as Richard Sharpe, but some of the other characters don't match the description in the books.

Teresa did not even appear in this book and she was not the leader of Spanish resistance when Sharpe first met her. She was 11 years younger than him, not 2 years older as between the actors.

The Spanish Major was the same age as Sharpe, not his Father's age. They have mixed at least two of the books together here, which is a shame as each book is great and has a story to tell.

Otherwise it is a fun and entertaining war/adventure story.

Loved the books, loved the movies.

[absoluteheathen · 9/10 · 3 March 2006]

I had read all the 'Sharpe' books (those published, anyway) before I saw the series, and was more than happy to see it appear on the History channel. I was even happier when they showed up on DVD, because now I could own - yes, own! - the series and view it whenever I liked. There is so much to admire here: the actors portraying the heroes and villains (the new James Bond, Daniel Craig, is one nasty specimen), themes of friendship and loyalty and sacrifice, the beautiful voice of John Tams. My only regret are the many books that are not part of the series - I would have liked to see all of them as movies, and can't wait to see the new one that is currently in production.

Early story of Sharpe becoming an officer and a gentleman

[endora60 · 8/10 · 29 March 2005]

Though it's nothing like what Bernard Cornwell wrote, in terms of Sharpe's backstory, "Sharpe's Rifles" is an excellent explanation of how a common soldier becomes an officer and learns to deal with his men. It also explains how Sharpe got the Chosen Men and gradually made friends with Harper, who was set on fragging him early on. Teresa's on board too, and the beginning of the romance that would end several episodes later with her murder is tender and nicely played.

The story itself is rather weak: raising the 1000-year-old true flag of Spain to rouse the populace against the Bonaparte regime. That ostensible plot is completely overwhelmed by Sharpe and his new command, but it doesn't matter. It's not the real point of this show; what's important is the forming of the Chosen Men with Sharpe in charge.

It's not the strongest "Sharpe" around, but it's very interesting if you like knowing the history of the characters you're watching. I enjoyed it.

Sharpe's Rifles

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 9 May 2020]

In the early 1990s, ITV had a penchant for filming some of their shows abroad. It was cheaper and it could give it an epic setting.

The action in Sharpe's Rifles takes place in Portugal and Spain but it was filmed in the Crimea.

Set in 1809 during the Napoleonic wars. Sir Arthur Wellesley (David Troughton) who would go on to become the Duke of Wellington is ambushed by French cavalrymen. The soldier who saves him is Sergeant Richard Sharpe (Sean Bean) and he becomes a lieutenant through this act of bravery.

Sharpe is sent out on a mission to find banker James Rothschild who set out from Vienna with monies in order to fund the British campaign against the French. He seems to have got lost.

Sharpe joins a troop that is heavily depleted after a surprise attack from the French cavalry. Sharpe joins forces with Spanish guerrillas led by Commandante Teresa Moreno. They are carrying something important that could bring the Spanish to unite against the French.

After an exciting beginning the pace slows down as Sharpe meets the people who will become part of his regular team. The initial introductions are far from cordial with a lot of mutual distrust.

This is an introductory episode which is more about the character of Sharpe and his men, the sharpshooters. It all looks small scale nowadays and also overlong. I did think the story could had been effectively told in two thirds of the time.

A review of the entire Sharpe series

[FlaviusAetius · 10/10 · 3 January 2007]

It's a crying shame this mini series didn't catch on in the US. It still stands as the best made-for-TV-movie series ever made.

Following the adventures of Richard Sharpe, a rough-and-tumble, tough-as-nails lieutenant in the Peninsular Wars, the series at first strikes you as, well, shoddy. There definitely is a made-for-TV vibe of cheapness, and the wailing electric guitars may turn off some viewers.

But then......it hooks you. You become introduced to a wonderful cast of ragtag characters. Hagman, Harper, Harris, Thomas, Perkins, and of course, Sharpe. Over the course of the series they're fleshed out and given their own personalities. By the time of the last addition to the series, they're almost like old friends. You cheer their victories and weep for their defeats. As they slowly die off, you feel real grief. At the end of Sharpe's Waterloo, in a heart-breaking scene you see both Hagman and Harris die. I nearly cried when I wasn't pumping my fist at the screen and shouting obscenities at the villainous, treacherous scum that was the Prince of Orange. When Sharpe killed him later on......so satisfying... Few characters in all media can claim the same. The action scenes are intense once you get past the made-for-TV feeling I mentioned earlier, and are truly exciting. The music may strike you as cheesy, but once you hear Hagman singing the truly awe-inspiring " Over the Hills and Far Away", all your doubts will melt away. That song is easily one of the best I've ever heard.

Perhaps the series' strongest point is it's lead: Sean Bean as Richard Sharpe. He absolutely dominates the role, snarling and growling with animalistic charisma. Never once do you doubt that Sean Bean is in fact Richard Sharpe. I mean, Bean must be the best middle-aged English actor there is. Bar none.

At the very end of the series, aside from Sharpe's Challenge because I haven't seen that, when Sharpe is marching off into the sunset accompanied to " Over the Hills and Far Away," my heart swelled. It was such a beautiful moment.....I couldn't help but hurrah at the end. A truly touching moment to one of the best series ever made.

Historical and breathtaking episode of the splendid British series set in Spain during Napoleonic invasion

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 13 August 2022]

Portugal 1809 , the Peninsular War in the age of Napoleon. Napoleon Bonaparte is master of Europa . His brother Joseph Bonaparte sits on the throne of Spain . Sir Arthur Wellesley , soon to be Lord Wellington , the new British commander , has taken the city of Oporto from the French . Now he rests his forces before making an advance into Spain . A British sergeant , Sharpe (Sean Bean) , in the 95th Rifles having saved Arthur Wellesley (David Troughton)'s life during the Battle of Assaye in 1803 finds himself promoted to Lieutenant and in charge of a company of Rifles that do no respect him, to carry out a dangerous and vital mission , while collaborating with the Spanish resistance (Assumpta Serna , Simon Andreu) . Little by little Sharpe's character would have his regular team around him, developing a sense of camaraderie and friendship .

Stunning first outing of the successful series formed by 16 episodes, 1993-2008 and all of the episodes except for the last two are based upon the Sharpe series of books by Bernard Cornwell . Being equally based on historical events , as Sharpe's 95th Regiment and its green jackets are fact based along with other events and battles happened in Portugal and Spain . It contains noisy action, drama, romance , spectacular fights , go riding , cavalry charges and colorful outdoors . A series of stories starring Sean Bean as Richard Sharpe, a fictional British soldier in the Napoleonic Wars as he fights both Napoleon's forces and the strong prejudice of British aristocracy . Being well set in the Peninsular War, in which a British sergeant is field promoted to a lieutenant in charge of a disrespectful rifle company . The hard filming took place in Portugal , Spain and Crimea, Ukraine . The English crew was filming in Ukraine, perilously close to the former Chernobyl nuclear power plant . Stars Sean Bean who was stunningly cast , giving a nice acting as the brave and obstinate Lieutenant Sharpe . However , Paul McGann was originally cast as Sharpe , two weeks into shooting he tore a ligament playing soccer during a break and was unable to go on , that's why he was forced to drop out , being replaced by Sean Bean, the majority of the season had to be reshot , but new stunt coordinators being contracted and a planned third episode had to be dropped as too much time had been lost . According to Brian Cox , nearly the entire cast and crew were taken sick by giardia, a water-based parasite that causes diarrhea and severe stomach cramps. He told the Russian co-producers underpaid the crew and a filmmaker was constantly drunk or hungover , as well as the animals, specifically the horses, were regularly abused, including the use of tripwires to make them fall . This lax approach to safety included the actors, as an extra was accidentally stabbed with a sword while filming an action scene, the footage of which was reportedly included in the final episode . Despite this, the rest of the shoot was just as miserable, which led to Cox's vow never to reprise the role. In this first episode show up fine actors , such as : Assumpta Serna ,David Troughton , Julian Fellows , Michael Mears . Although Sean Bean and Daragh O'Malley are the only actors to show up in all 16 episodes of the series . And special mention for Brian Cox , in his memoir , he speaks at length about the miserable time he had making the first season. He fell ill during production of the first season , was appalled by the working conditions on location in Ukraine and refused to reprise the role of Major Hogan in any subsequent seasons . This episode ¨Sharp's rifles¨ was well directed by Tom Clegg.

This 16 episodes series displayed a good support cast , such as : Michael Byrne , Pete Postlethwaite, Toby Stephens , Emily Mortimer, Douglas Henshall , Lucy Brown, Hugh Fraser , Clive Francis , Nicholas Farrell , Mark Strong , Jeremy Child , James Purefoy , Elizabeth Hurley, Christopher Villiers , Féodor Atkine , Nickolas Grace , Steven Speirs, Paul Bettany and Daniel Craig's appearance in Sharpe's Eagle was one of his earliest roles. And all of them professionally directed by Tom Clegg.

Sorry, but I disagree with Jeremy Cook...

[dexter-3 · 4/10 · 17 August 1999]

Sean Bean is great, as are the photography, locations and costumes. However, the plot is somewhat muddled, and the conclusion flat. The plot has been SUBSTANTIALLY altered from Cornwell's novel, and not to the better. Unfortunately, this adventure is much better read than watched. Sharpe was too narrowly drawn here, in contrast with his literary alter ego, who seems more intelligent and determined despite his apprehension in his new role as an officer promoted from the ranks. I really enjoyed the brief scene in which Sharpe is tripped by a "real" officer, and after a quick pause and piercing stare, pushes the surprised and cowed officer right back. It sets the tone for his later trials as a commanding officer.

Rating: "4" of "10."

From a time when warfare looked silly and didn't make very much sense comes one of the best television shows ever...

[boort · 19 February 1999]

You like action? Adventure? War? British people? Silly hats? Muskets? Explosions? People who shoot things? Fencing? WWF style brawling? Sharpe's Rifles has them all. The first episode in the Sharpe series sets the tone for the epic to come- high adventure. Brilliantly written by Eoghan Harris, the best of the Sharpe writers, and equally brilliantly executed by Sean Bean and the rest of the talented cast. My only complaint is with the music- the electric guitar that pops up throughout the Sharpe series seems especially loud and annoying. However, this is easily overlooked in light of the near perfect nature of the rest of the show. Get off your computer! Watch this show! Now!

Great! all the series

[perrycommodore · 10/10 · 3 September 2011]

This is one of the best series I have watched, Sean Bean is excellent, as well as the gal in the beginning, Darragh is great also, fine acting, I wish there were more series like this made in the USA. I didn't realize the guy singing was the actor also, I love the theme song it stays with you. I like the history, I don't mind if its not completely accurate. I don't think anyone else could have played this part, it was made for Sean Bean. Some of the actors I have seen at present on TV or in movies, older now but still fine actors. Sean Bean is in HBO's Game of Thrones, good series, I may just have to subscribe to HBO again to watch the 2nd series.

DVDs Reviewed

[Blueghost · 10/10 · 29 May 2006]

When I first saw the "Sharpe's Rifles" series here in the United States on Public Broadcasting I was very much enamored with it. A few years later the series became available on VHS, but I didn't want to spend all that money on a format that I knew was going to be phased out in a few years.

Ho boy, how I wish I had.

I just recently purchased the Region 1 NTSC five-episode DVD set for North America, and I have to say that I've rarely come across a poorer video transfer than has been done by BFS Entertainment.

BFS Entertainment somehow managed to wrangle an exclusive license for the United States and Canada for the video distribution rights to this series, and, as usual, we the customers are paying for a lack of quality control on behalf of the producer's and owners of the property.

BFS Entertainment's other claim to fame was their DVD release of another British mini series drama entitled "Flambards." And, given the extremely poor video transfer I saw of that series my heart sank when I saw BFS's logo and public domain music scroll across my TV screen.

In short the few five episodes that have been released for North America have a grainy image due to poor video compression, bleed color (if you can believe that from optical media), and have equally poor sound quality to match the video.

If you must purchase this magnificent series on video then try to find an old VHS from PBS/Mobile Masterpiece Theatre, or invest in a region 2 DVD player and buy the series from an online store in England.

Don't waste your money on the BFS release.

*EDIT* I bought a set of Region 2 DVDs from the UK, and they are superior in every way to the US Region 1 release.

A fine adaptation of the Bernard Cornwell novel

[Leofwine_draca · 7/10 · 17 December 2016]

SHARPE'S RIFLES was the first of the made-for-television Sharpe movies made by Carlton for ITV way back in 1993. As a massive fan of author Bernard Cornwell, who created Sharpe back at the beginning of the 1980s, I had to get around to seeing these movies sooner or later, and I'm pleased to say that this one doesn't disappoint. First of all, though, it has to be said that the plot barely resembles the novel of the same title at all; there are extra characters, missing characters, new events, and crucially a lack of the major battle scenes that make the novels so stunning. The reason is the budget – or lack of it – but I'm pleased to say that despite the missing battles, this is still a decent product that belies its made-for-TV origins.

The movie was filmed in Portugal and the Crimea and there are some stunning mountainous backdrops that really add authenticity to the proceedings. The production is excellently written with some great dialogue. It starts off feeling a little faltering and you can tell that everybody was new to it, but by halfway through things really hit their stride and it never disappoints after this point. Sean Bean soon makes the role his own, doing such a good job that nobody else could ever come close to playing Sharpe the way he does. The various characters of the close-knit riflemen are all good, with Daragh O'Malley particularly effective as Harper. I also liked David Troughton's performance as Sir Arthur Wellesley, and it's a shame he didn't continue to play this role throughout the series.

While the 'talky' scenes and the plot exposition are all adequate, where this series really excels is in the action – and it proves you don't need a big budget to shoot good battles. A shoot-out in a ruined village is a highlight, as is the action-packed finale, which involves the storming of a town occupied by the French. Plenty of grittiness and bloodshed adds to the realism of the film and even the romance – involving a female spy who wasn't in the books, played by Assumpta Serna – doesn't get in the way too much. The highlight of the production is definitely the bit where Harper brings down a mounted Frenchman, using his rifle in a rather novel way. A great touch to a well-written book adaptation.

The first in the now legendary made-for -tv movie series

[Scaramouche2004 · 9/10 · 17 November 2008]

Having not actually read any of the Cornwall books on which this series is based, I can look upon this and the other movies in the Sharpe series as solely a viewer instead of one constantly comparing them to the books (which I now seem to consistently do with the Harry Potter series)so I consider this to puts me at an advantage whilst writing a review.

Sean Bean makes the role of Napoleonic hero Richard Sharpe his own right from the very start, as he plays the working class, son-of-a-whore Sergeant plucked from the ranks and given officer status for saving the life of the future Duke of Wellington.

Wellington repays Sharpe by giving him command of a tough and unruly bunch of riflemen, who are forced to escort a small guerrilla army of Spanish Freedom fighters through French held territory to the tiny town of Torrecastro to help start and support an uprising.

To add to Sharpe's duties he is also under orders to find and protect James Rothchild, a banker trying to journey through enemy territory with a much needed bankers draft in order for Wellington to pay the British Army.

Although it this a great 100 minutes of classic swashbuckling entertainment, this story only seems to serve as a means to an end with this episodes sole purpose being to introduce us to the characters, and show the building relationships that will see Sharpe through fifteen sequels to date.

We see Sharpe develop several strong relationships throughout the series, and in this episode we see the basis of most of them. We all know Sharpe soon becomes one of Wellington's favoured officers but here they meet for the first time. He also meets Teresa, who will become his wife, and Patrick Harper whom after a shaky start soon becomes Sharpe's best friend and right hand man. It is here he also meets Hagman, Harris, Perkins and Cooper other ongoing characters throughout the series.

A great start to the series and one that set the bar pretty high for the future.

Not so impressed

[sarastro7 · 6/10 · 21 December 2006]

Being a huge fan of Sean Bean, I was surprised to discover, just a few weeks ago, that he had done this 14-movie series which I had never heard of. Now I've seen the premiere installment, and while it was okay, I must say I'm a bit disappointed, esp. after hearing everyone else praise this so much.

The story was simple and not very clearly told. Only a couple of characters were interestingly portrayed, and Sean Bean's part, though the main one, wasn't that big, nor that much in focus. There was much about this that could have been done better - much better. Bean should have carried the show to a much greater degree, i.e. the producers should have made much greater use of him. What we got here was largely pedestrian, but I'm going to give the series a chance and watch the next few installments. Hopefully things will improve, and the story will become more interesting.

6 out of 10.

Great British story

[marcuspalomar · 10/10 · 8 May 2021]

It's raining outside and checked what was recorded and this popped up. Have seen so many times but on a cold wet afternoon this is too good to pass.

Sean Bean has always been Sharpe to me no matter what role he has nailed in his career.

Unfortunately Dated First Entry to a Beloved Series

[ThomasDrufke · 6/10 · 7 November 2019]

I found this TV series/series of TV movies through one of the GOT commentaries in which cast members discuss how they came to know Sean Bean through the Sharpe series. Of course, he's now known for GOT and LOTR amongst many other big movies and tv shows, in which his character most likely died in. Strangely enough, he apparently only got the Sharpe role due to the other actor being injured on set and they needed a replacement. Decades later and the series is still endlessly beloved. If I'm being completely honest, I didn't love the first entry though. Slow building, cheesy, and dated Sharpe's Rifles comes in at just over 100 minutes, but it's not necessarily the easiest to get through. But perhaps it's hard to judge a film over 25 years old that was made during a time when TV movies aren't what they are today. It is entertaining and I admittedly wish Sean Bean would narrate my life, as his voice is the perfect balance of soothing & intense. But I can't say I'll be jumping at the opportunity to keep watching the Sharpe series.

6.5/10

Never an Officer Nor a Gentleman. But Both in Fact..

[Rob-A · 9/10 · 2 April 2020]

It's not Sean Bean's ridiculously good looks which makes this, the first of many feature-length episodes of one of the finest UK dramas. What makes every fabulous episode, is his stolid performance as Sharpe, a from-the-ranks officer in the Napoleonic Wars who's pushed this way and that, used, abused and looked down upon by "English Officers". Mostly made in the 90's when character development and cracking storylines still meant far more than action, this is a series that will have you hooked. A SHED load of fun which will have you rooting for characters and hoping for the best.. This is a greate binge watch! Mark my words.

Pretty good for its' time

[binks_s · 7/10 · 19 March 2024]

A very interesting example of a historical adventure film. It would seem that there is nothing that special about it - the budget is small, there are, of course, no special effects, there are not enough extras to create the appearance of more or less large-scale battles, the plot is also not something extraordinary... But - it feels genuine.

But why? Partly - due to a very good writing, in the best traditions of adventure films, with good jokes, sometimes unpredictable twists, the possibility of which are only hinted at, in order to reveal all the cards at the end; partly due to very authentic costumes and scenery. And partly due to the amazing actors, of course.

All the characters are well developed, colorful, and the actors themselves are a delight with their performances. Of course, Sean Bean is especially pleasing - his charisma rushes through the screen, it's as if he was created for this role of the good bad guy Sharpe - he looks so organic.

Dara O'Malley, who plays Harper, is also quite memorable. For some reason, his character gave me a feeling of deja vu, but a very pleasant one.

But be that as it may, this does not prevent me from watching all episodes of the series, while receiving genuine pleasure from watching a high-quality and interesting adventure movie.

An enjoyable fairytale

[satori9512011 · 5/10 · 16 March 2011]

A fairly entertaining series, but with a too little economic backing to carry it off properly, the events of 1808 was on such a scale that a realistic recreation is difficult. However when a force that consisted of 30 000 or 120 000 men is attempted recreated with 30 to 60 men some of the sense of it all loses its meaning. The only way to hide such inadequacies is to have a clever and inventive camera man sadly lacking here which gives the production a veneer of amateurishness it could well be without. Another problem is that the extras they have used are non-military ergo they don't know how to march, or fight, or shoot and all the battle scenes look thoroughly fake. That said the main characters in the series for most parts do a passable job; with a few exceptions who are about as involved as cheddar cheese. Sean Bean is an actor who I before this series, never have liked in any role he has played, but the role of Sharp suits him and he is believable in the role.

As for the historical aspect to this series it is interesting to observe how liberal the English are with historical events, while simultaneously complaining over the Americans and Hollywood for falsifying history.

I read the books the series is based on some years back and had an impression that they were more true to the actual events than this TV series, then again I might be suffering from a laps of amnesia. I cannot speak for the part of the series that unfolds itself in India but to anyone versed in European history it is a known fact that the French pulled out of Spain due to the troubles the Spanish guerrilla was causing them. The relentless fighting against an enemy they could not see was bleeding the French ranks and draining their resources, demoralizing their troops and when Napoleon in 1813 suffered great losses in Russia the French began pulling out their troops from Spain as they were needed for the defense of France against the advancing Russians. Since then the English have told us that they kicked the French out of Spain and in this series, even giving the impression that it was them, not the Russians; who marched into Paris having defeated Napoleon in 1814.

Secondly, in the first part of this series the French intelligence service is depicted as completely inept compared to the English one. This is perhaps even more preposterous than taking credit for what the Russians and Spanish did, for French intelligence services was led by a man called Fouché and he had developed the most effective intelligence agency Europe had seen up till then, compared to this the English were amateurs (to use a French word, of which reconnoiter is another one).

The third preposterous allegation from the series is that it was Wellington who single handed beat Napoleon at Waterloo. We have heard this lie so often now from the British that the man who really beat Naploeon at Wateroloo and ended his reign has almost been forgotten. But his name was Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, count of Wahlstat. Unlike Wellington, Blücher had met Napoleon in the field before, at Jena and was for a long time the only one who got away from it with some honour intact. The 50 000 strong Prussian troops (the English had 30 000)was what got Wellington's boots out of the fire rescuing him from a battle he was losing. it was them who captured Napoleon and was the first to take Paris. As a reward the English has pretended he was not there at best he is a foot note.

In spite of this the Series is as I said at the start an enjoyable little fairy-tale just like Harry Potter and well worth watching, for most parts it is better than the mindless rubbish one usually is served on TV; but like Harry Potter, not to be taken too serious - if you are looking for historical accuracy from the English I would rather suggest Black Adder.

Fun! Now Go Read the Book!

[ttintagel · 2 June 2004]

What red-blooded girl could argue with 102 minutes of a mud-smeared Sean Bean swashbuckling in tight breeches? (Excuse me while I have an attack of the vapors...) It's a fun movie with a lot of action and great costumes, acting, and production values. BUT. . . I think the strong point of this series of movies is that it's likely to make you want to read the series of novels by Bernard Cornwell. Even for people who don't normally like to read historical/military fiction, they're a rollicking great read and packed with fascinating detail and character development. The movie is a tasty appetizer; the book is a satisfying meal. In this case, watching the movie won't ruin the book for you, and vice versa. Differences aside, they're done in the same spirit.