Ducos shows up alive and well in this episode, despite having been shot and killed in Sharpe's Honour (1994) (he survives in the novel). Presumably, this was to bring the series in line with the novels where he plays a major part in both episodes.
Of all the Sharpe books he wrote, 'Bernard Cornwell' claims that "Sharpe's Siege" is his favorite of the novels.
Differences with the original novel:
- Sharpe and Jane are already married by the beginning of the novel.
- Michael Hogan (paralleled by Major-General Ross in the TV movie) dies of fever.
- Horace Bampfylde is a Navy Captain in the novel.
- American privateer Cornelius Killick assists the French in guarding the Teste de Buch.
- The Comte de Maquerre's sister and mother are not in the novel.
- Captain Palmer is a marine captain, not a regular army captain like in the TV movie.
- Sharpe and his men capture the fort before Bampfylde gets close enough. Furthermore, they were disguised as American allies.
- One of the marines is caught sexually assaulting the French girl. After a beating from Harper, he deserts.
- Pierre Ducos does not disguise himself as the mayor of the nearby village.
- Captain Killick suggests the use of quicklime during battle.
- Sharpe's men and the marines escape with the help of Captain Killick.
- Jane did not contract fever. It was only a seasonal cold.
- Sharpe stabs the Comte de Maquerre to death by the newly-built chassée-maree bridge.
The white dotted muslin gown with long sleeves worn by Amira Casar (Catherine) is the same costume worn by Jayne Ashbourne (Ellie Nugent) to dinner in Sharpe's Gold (1995).
The movie continues the recurring theme of poetry (Milton's 'Lycidas' (1638) - 'Tomorrow to Fresh Woods and Pastures New'). The quote, in the context of the poem, actually refers to King Edward's death (the shepherds' mourning). Notably, in the Sharpe series, poetry is usually used to foreshadow, allude to, or signify negative events. This holds true here too, as will only become fully apparent in the next movie in the series, "Sharpe's Mission".