Sharpe's Battle

Starring:Sean Bean, Daragh O'Malley, Hugh Fraser, Hugh Ross, John Tams, Jason Salkey, Lyndon Davies, Jason Durr, Allie Byrne, Ian McNeice, Oliver Cotton, Siri Neal, Liam Carney, Phelim Drew, Diana Perez, Robert Hands, Maria Petrucci
Director: Tom Clegg
Studio: Bfs Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Never Gets Old
Casablanca
buy it
From a professional
It's a Bogart and Bergman movie, how many stars would you have given it?

Casablanca
Starring: Humphrey Bogart , Ingrid Bergman , Paul Henreid , Claude Rains , and Conrad Veidt
Director: Michael Curtiz , and Scott Benson (II)
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Gone with the Wind (Four-Disc Collector's Edition)
Citizen Kane
The Maltese Falcon (Three-Disc Collector's Edition)
Singin' in the Rain (Two-Disc Special Edition)
My Fair Lady

ASIN: 6305736650
Release Date: 2000-02-15

Amazon.com essential video

A truly perfect movie, the 1942 Casablanca still wows viewers today, and for good reason. Its unique story of a love triangle set against terribly high stakes in the war against a monster is sophisticated instead of outlandish, intriguing instead of garish. Humphrey Bogart plays the allegedly apolitical club owner in unoccupied French territory that is nevertheless crawling with Nazis; Ingrid Bergman is the lover who mysteriously deserted him in Paris; and Paul Heinreid is her heroic, slightly bewildered husband. Claude Rains, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, and Conrad Veidt are among what may be the best supporting cast in the history of Hollywood films. This is certainly among the most spirited and ennobling movies ever made. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Never Gets Old.......2007-06-25

What can I say that hasn't been said before about this movie? For those few that have been living under a rock: Casablanca is about Rick a Cafe owner who "I don't stick my neck out for nobody" is his life's motto, and how this motto begins to wreck at him when his old flame (has Ingrid Bergman ever looked better?) comes back into his life.
The movie has it all: Suspence, romance, humor (in spades), and that song!
Watch it, just because it's a classic.

Casablanca.......2007-06-21

No film has embedded itself more firmly in the collective imagination than this captivating, still-unparalleled romance adventure, which epitomizes everything that Hollywood filmmaking--at its very best--strives to be. Was there ever a more unlikely yet perfect pairing than the radiant Bergman and the world-weary Bogart? Portraying the twilight of civilized society in a foreign place, and the rising menace of new world evils, director Curtiz masterfully juggles tragedy and humor, intrigue and action to tell a timeless story rich in personal and political detail. And what an indelible, heart-catching finale! "Casablanca" won Oscars for Best Picture, Director, and Screenplay, and continues to mesmerize on repeat viewings.

buy it.......2007-06-10

you must own this film

and never watch the colored version. ever.

From a professional.......2007-06-08

A look back to Quality and to great talent. I have a friend in the film.
Golden Days in all ways!

It's a Bogart and Bergman movie, how many stars would you have given it?.......2007-06-02

Casablanca, of course, doesn't require a review from me--the entire world knows about it. So I'll make this short and to the point.

PROS:

1. Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid and that darn French Captain Louis Renault (Claude Rains) star. That's two stars right there.

2. Some of the best writing Hollywood (we called it Hollywood in those days instead of Harletwood) ever produced. That's a star.

3. Some of the best music ever mastered for a movie--the world still remembers it a zillion years later. That's another star.

4. When you consider the idea is actually a simple love triangle during World War Two how could it have attained such greatness...well of course anyone who has ever seen it already knows, it was the writing, directing, acting, and music. Oh yes, Peter Lorre stars in it and several others you will reconize such as Sydney Greenstreet. I could go on and on about this movie, take it apart and tell about how great the writing, and acting are, but have you seen how many reviews this thing has? Besides, you all don't need this country boy to tell you about THIS movie. Moving along, that's a star right there, a really low end idea that came out 'great'. Proof once again, if you got the idea, writing, your actors can act, and your director can director, (and a fine song or two) nothing else really matters.

CONS:

1. There are no CONS: in this movie, I can suggest no updating, no changing of script, idea, directing, acting or anything to make it better. It's such a good thing Hollywood had a long list of actors to choose from--I don't think they could have pulled it off without them...I'm watching it again as I write this, that darn French Captain kind-a grows on you, and to think HE turns out to be a sentimentalist to!

I will add one last thing, Casablanca is not a popcorn movie like I usually watch (the old Science Fiction and monster movies). It can not be watched like a regular popcorn movie. No. It's script, acting, directing goes too far for such trival things as simple entertainment. You must listen to each word, study their body language, watch their eyes as you watch the movie. And just remember...this movie was filmed and I believe shown as Casablance was "actually" being invaded by the darkest shadow this world had faced in its' ten thousand years of recorded history...and they almost won.

If I weren't a Christian I would have said you need a shot of gin and a cigarrette...but I am, and most snack foods just don't do credit to this movie. You decide.

So there it is, rated as the second greatest movie ever made, and not one s--t, not one cuss or swear word, not one exploding head and almost no special effects. Casablanca can only be described one way and with one word...Art. Bye!

Average customer rating:

Long Live Major Sharpe!
The Frist of the Sharpe's series
"Sharpe's Rifles" kicks off British TV adaptations of Cornwell's literary saga
Great historical fiction!
Sharpes' Rifles Forever!!

Sharpe's Rifles
Starring: Sean Bean , Brian Cox , Daragh O'Malley , Assumpta Serna , and David Troughton
Director: Tom Clegg
Manufacturer: Bfs Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Sharpe's Sword Collection Set
Sharpe's Revenge Collection Set
Sharpe's Eagle
Sharpe's Company
Sharpe's Enemy

ASIN: B00004U3UK
Release Date: 2000-07-25

Customer Reviews:

Long Live Major Sharpe!.......2007-03-27

I enjoyed the Sharpe series as shown on PBS a few years ago on their "Masterpiece Theatre", but they only televised 4 episodes. Until recently, I hadn't realized how many episodes of "Sharpe" there were, but I was unable to afford the entire collection at USA prices. I went shopping in the UK, and discovered they had a complete collection at a fraction of the cost, and since I had purchased a region free DVD player, I knew I could buy the set from Amazon UK and enjoy the whole Sharpe saga.
The entire cast is magnificent! The amount of sword play, battle scenes, rugged terrain must have meant many hard filming days and nights, and an awesome stunt crew. The costumes as far as I can tell are spot on. Familiar faces appear in many episodes. Pete Postlethwaite as Obadiah Hakeswill is sooo evil. Daragh O'Malley is perfect as Harper. John Tams (who also wrote the music), Jason Salkey, Michael Mears & Lyndon Davies as the Chosen Men. Assumpta Serna, Elizabeth Hurley, Alice Krige, and others, all excellent!
Sticklers for historical accuracy may not enjoy the series. I on the other hand had a fabulous time watching them. And I am positive you will also!

The Frist of the Sharpe's series.......2007-03-13

I bet about everything that can be said about this series of books/dvd's has been said. I came on to the band wagon late-- But, on it I am - and I am never going to be stepping off-
While these dvd's do not always follow the story line of the books that inspired them- they do stay true to the friendships, characters , and the atmosphere that the books set the tone for. They are well done , well acted, and a great way to spend an hour or two in another place and time.
Highly recommended.

"Sharpe's Rifles" kicks off British TV adaptations of Cornwell's literary saga.......2007-02-14

I came to Bernard Cornwell's Richard Sharpe series after reading other novels by "Britain's Storyteller." Cornwell's series focuses on Richard Sharpe, gutter-trash from the stews of London who rises through the ranks to become a valued player in Wellington's titanic clash against Napoleon. I'm about half-way through the books, but I couldn't wait before diving into the DVDs of the British TV adaptations of those novels.

"Sharpe's Rifles" is the first DVD in this series and has the disadvantage of having to conflate several episodes from different novels into its two-hour running time. The most obvious quirk is that the movie kicks off with Sharpe saving Wellington's life from French raiders while stationed in Spain, whereas in the books Sharpe actually saved Wellington's life while fighting in India. But this is a minor quibble, for "Sharpe's Rifles" is a fun, extremely low-budget romp through Cornwell's novel of the same name.

How low budget is "Sharpe's Rifles"? It's hard to say, but it's pretty clear that this movie was filmed in about a month with a few guys running around on ten acres of land. This isn't a criticism, but instead a compliment to the filmmakers, who still manage to tell an entertaining story despite their modest means. Sharpe, promoted from the ranks (which was rarely done in the classist British army), takes charge of the 95th Rifles, the "greenjackets." The rifle was a new invention - most soldiers carried muskets that couldn't hit a barn beyond fifty paces. The musket was cheap and perfect for lines of infantry to line up and blast each other to pieces. The rifle, on the other hand, was a killer at long range, and the 95th Rifles were made up of the "Chosen Men." These men were chosen for their shooting ability rather than their noble traits - as a result, the Rifles are populated with a bunch of loveable mutts, led by Irishman Sergeant Harper.

"Sharpe's Rifles" turns on an expedition for the Rifles into Spain to retrieve a critical bank draft to allow Wellington to keep his army together - soldiers get unruly if they haven't been paid for three months. But the mission takes a side trip as Sharpe meets up with some Spanish loyalists who are trying to rally the country against Napoleon . . . and these loyalists are opposed by Spaniards who want nothing more but for Napoleon to conquer all of Europe. Bullets fly and bayonets stab aplenty in this pell-mell story.

Sean Bean is perfectly cast as the rakish Sharpe, and Brian Cox is another great choice as the intelligence man Major Hogan. Everyone else is more or less filler, but quality filler. One of the few blatant criticisms I have of this movie is the anachronistic heavy-handed use of an electric guitar in the soundtrack - what were they thinking?

But this is a minor criticism of a fine, if low-budget, movie. Check it out, and you will surely join the legions of Richard Sharpe fans.

Great historical fiction!.......2007-02-07

Sharpe's adventures are to the British war under Wellington against Napoleon as Horatio Hornblower's fictional adventures are to naval warfare of the same era. If you love Hornblower's adventures, you'll love Sharpe's. Great historical action films set in that era with all the usual class distinctions and conundrums faced in the British military at that time.

Sharpes' Rifles Forever!!.......2007-01-14

I first viewed this Amazing Series, when I was living in my home, in Wales, United Kingdom. I am a British Subject, as well as American.
In Britian at the time the whole of the Kingdom was absolutly hooked on [Our] Richard Sharpe and his Chosen Men. Like in this country, all waited each year for {Soprano's etc]. For Sharpe and his chosen men.
Well, I returned to the USA and to my utter delight, I saw on BBC American they were going to show the Sharpe series in full. You [Yanks] as we Brits call the Americans had never seen or heard of Sharpe's Rifle's! I called all my friend and family, screaming my delight. Watch this!!
Bottom line, quite a few are hooked. and have bought all the series DVD's.
My review's total opinion, is that it is everybit as good as "GLADIATOR", which to me is the greatest movie ever. I've seen many in my 70 years.
CHEERS!!
SIA

Average customer rating:

Movie highlights the broad themes of Cornwell's book, if missing the details
My Favorite TV Series
True, this is character over spectacle, but characters count
Disappointing to fans of the books
Great Adaptation of the Book

Sharpe's Eagle
Starring: Sean Bean , Brian Cox , Daragh O'Malley , Assumpta Serna , and Michael Cochrane
Director: Tom Clegg
Manufacturer: Bfs Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Sharpes - Rifles Collection Set
Sharpe's Company
Sharpe's Enemy
Sharpe's Honour
Sharpe's Sword Collection Set

ASIN: B00004U3UL
Release Date: 2000-07-25

Customer Reviews:

Movie highlights the broad themes of Cornwell's book, if missing the details.......2007-02-15

"Sharpe's Eagle" is the second in the British TV adaptations of Bernard Cornwell's colossal Richard Sharpe series of novels. It is a more polished episode than the kick-off film, "Sharpe's Rifles," but only slightly more so. This was essentially an extended TV series, and one with a fraction of the budget of an American blockbuster such as "Lost," much less a major miniseries like "Band of Brothers."

So if you want to be a snob, there is plenty to snicker at in "Sharpe's Eagle." Sharpe spins a terrifying tale of the might of Napoleon's infantry column to some green troops, and yet in the actual battle the French only appear to muster about fifty guys. Wounds are indicated by bloody clothes rather than realistic special effects, and cannons clearly fire blanks.

But if you're the kind of person who looks past low budgets and so-so special effects and instead focus on character and story, then "Sharpe's Eagle" has a lot for you to enjoy. Sharpe, ambitious gutter trash that he is, continues to allow himself to be used by the cynical Major Hogan (Brian Cox) to rise in the esteem of General Wellesley (soon to be Lord Wellington). Along the way, Sharpe runs afoul of that nasty breed of British Army officer - the kind who rose to command through birth rather than merit. Times being what they were, Sharpe was instantly hated by these men as a threat to their established order, and they play for keeps. Indeed, in this movie Sharpe is in more danger from his own side than from the French - look for a very young Daniel Craig as a sinister junior British officer who wants to see Sharpe dead.

Through the bumbling of the leader of the South Essex, a battalion Sharpe's beloved 95th Rifles are attached to, the French steal the battalion's battle flag. This is an unforgiveable sin, the kind that a commanding officer should eat a bullet over. Sharpe's commmander, however, chooses to blame Sharpe. That's one problem. The other is that a good old soldier who knew Sharpe from their days fighting in India was killed defending the lost flag, and with his dying command he makes Sharpe promise to exact revenge against the French by stealing a gold Eagle standard - the Eagle of the title. Only by stealing this battle standard can Sharpe restore the honor of the South Essex.

Look for strong performances again from both Sean Bean and Brian Cox as Sharpe and Hogan, and for solid supporting performances from virtually everyone else. There is also a good deal of soldier's humor in "Sharpe's Eagle," and overall it must be said that this is a nicely balanced film. Check it out, but only after watching "Sharpe's Rifles" and preferably after reading the book.

My Favorite TV Series.......2005-02-18

I own the entire Sharpe series on VHS but this is the only episode I have on DVD, and it is one of the best. (Incidentally, I don't understand all the complaining about the quality of the DVD and the lack of grandiose battle scenes--I have no complaints with either the quality of the DVD or the fact that the battles are on a relatively small scale. As to the last, this was a TV series, after all, and the point, as I see it , is the study of the central character, Sharpe.)This is a beautifully done series, with Sean Bean absolutely sterling as Richard Sharpe. I have thought for some time that Sean Bean is underutilized in most of his films and wish that he had more opportunities like Sharpe, whose character as a low-born man who found the army the only place he could go and who proved himself a better man and soldier than most of his high-born peers, is a role any actor would relish. In this particular episode all the elements that make the whole series good come together particularly well as Sharpe has to defend himself from lesser officers out to get him while asttempting to right a number of wrongs, including ill treatment of women and sacrifice of a heroic officer by the cretin who leads the South Essex. He captures the essence of the character perfectly--a "man among men", a rough soldier with a strong sense of honor, a willingness to "stand and fight" and, as Major Hogan tells him, a romantic soul. What could be more captivating? Not much, judging by Sharpe's almost unconscious success with the ladies. The entire cast is excellent, pasrticularly Darrah O'Malley as Sgt. Harper, Sharpe's tough and loyal subordinate, and Brian Cox as the aforementioned Maj. Hogan. I regret that Cox didn't remain with the series because he added a wonderful element of cynical humor, but the series still has a strong humorous element throughout and that is one of its many virtues. In sum, whether it is the depiction of the behind-the-scenes conniving or the blood and gore of the battles or the easy comraderie of the up-from-the-gutter riflemen led by Sharpe (the "Chosen Men"), you will find it hard to tear youself away from this terrific series.

True, this is character over spectacle, but characters count.......2004-08-11

Granted, the budget on these television movies is such that the spectacle of battles during the Napoleonic War are reduced to dozens of soldiers on each side rather than massed formations of thousands of troops. But if these adaptations of Bernard Cornwell's novels were given the big screen treatment so that the battles sequences met our expectations we would certainly not be in double-figures with regards to the number of movies made to date. Consequently, "Sharpe's Eagle," the second in the series (but the first novel), sacrifices spectacle to focus on characters, which is fine because that is what this series is about.

For his second mission Lt. Richard Sharpe (Sean Bean), is sent with his Rifles to join the South Essex. The battalion is run by the incompetent Sir Henry Simmerson (Michael Cochrane), who, along with most of his officers, turn their collective noses up at Sharpe having risen up through the ranks. There are a couple of notable exceptions, one is Major Lennox (David Ashton), an officer Sharpe remembers for his distinguished service in India and Captain (Gavin O'Herlihy), who hails from Virginia, who play pivotal roles in what is to happen. The problem is that Sharpe has to fight his war on two fronts, not only worried about the French in front but also the other officers, who are looking for a chance to stab him in the back (literally).

Another key part of this story has to do with how the South Essex have never been in battle and there are a couple of nice sequences with Sharpe and his Rifles prepare the troops for their baptism under fire. Unfortunately, the incompetence of their leaders results in a disaster during what should have been a simple mission to destroy a bridge when the South Essex lose their colours, which is not a bad thing of monumental proportions. The need to regain their honor and the unspoken promise Sharpe makes to a dying man to capture one of the Imperial Eagles, touched by Napoleon himself, that sit atop the French standards set up the final part of the story.

The climax of "Sharpe's Eagle" is the Battle of Talavera, one of the bloodiest of the war and the one for which Sir Arthur Wellesley (David Troughton) becomes Lord Wellington. Of course the cowards run to live another day and brave young soldiers die, but such is war. As many have indicated, all we get is a sketch of the battle, which suffers in comparison to the historical details Cromwell provides in the book. But the best moments in this movie are those of character, such as when Sharpe proves repeatedly he has more of a sense of honor than the strutting peacocks who call themselves gentlemen and when Major Hogan (Brain Cox) gives an officer some idea of why challenging Sharpe to a duel would be suicide. Throughout the movie Hogan gets all of the good lines, while most of Sharpe's best moments involve intense looks at the objects of his displeasure.

"Sharpe's Eagle" also makes excellent use of a song sung by the British soldiers throughout the episode, especially by one young tenor. There is a sense in which these movies are more about the men serving in the British army during the Napoleonic Wars than about the officers, which is as it should be. The relationship between our hero and both Patrick Harper (Daragh O'Malley) and Teresa (Assumpta Serna) continue to evolve as do the plots to get rid of Sharpe. Clearly there are elements here to be continued, but that is the primary attraction. There are well over a dozen of these Sharpe movies and we can watch these early ones knowing that there is a long haul to enjoy.

Disappointing to fans of the books.......2004-07-15

I am a big fan of Bernard Cornwell's series of Sharpe books. While I enjoy these DVDs, they do not measure up to the books. The most disappointing part of these DVDs are the battle scenes. Cornwell's books are centered on the battles. The battle's in these DVDs are small, low budget affairs with about 100 soldiers on each side, not the grand spectacle that is demanded.

Great Adaptation of the Book.......2004-06-05

I found the movie captured the imagination, feel, and spirit of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Average customer rating:

Like being beside Wellington on campaign
Sharpe TV series takes step forward with "Sharpe's Company"
Obadiah Hakeswill starts making trouble for Richard Sharpe
Great series
Another winning adventure in the Sharpe's series

Sharpe's Company
Starring: Sean Bean , Daragh O'Malley , Hugh Fraser , Michael Byrne , and Pete Postlethwaite
Director: Tom Clegg
Manufacturer: Bfs Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Action & Combat | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Sharpe's Eagle
Sharpe's Enemy
Sharpes - Rifles Collection Set
Sharpe's Honour
Sharpe's Gold

ASIN: B00004U3UM
Release Date: 2000-07-25

Customer Reviews:

Like being beside Wellington on campaign.......2007-06-08

The Sharpe's series is a wonderful insight into the extremities of the Peninsula campaign. Few enterprises have brought forth so brilliantly the visicitudes of Napoleonic warfare and the class struggles of the era.

Sharpe TV series takes step forward with "Sharpe's Company".......2007-02-16

The British TV adaptation of Bernard Cornwell's beloved Richard Sharpe series started with two exceedingly low-budget, solidly entertaining episodes: "Sharpe's Rifles" and "Sharpe's Eagle." A few dozen actors looked like they were running around the same ten acres of real estate while desperately trying to convey the impression that they were part of the mighty clash between Wellington and Napoleon. Thanks to some great acting and gifted storytelling, the first two episodes worked.

With "Sharpe's Company," the series gets "bigger." The focal point of this episode is the storming of a French-held fortress by British troops, and while the scenes are nowhere close to something Peter Jackson or Steven Spielberg might assemble, it's clear that the producers have given their team more to work with. That's all to the good, as the sight of the British soldiers storming the French fortress is heart-pounding and melancholy at the same time.

Richard Sharpe, for the uninitiated, is gutter trash who has been raised through the ranks to officer status thanks to his bravery and ambition. As Wellington admiringly says, "You're a rogue, Sharpe, but you're my rogue." Still, for most in the the class-conscious British army does not much care for rankers as officers - by definition, Sharpe is not a "gentleman," so he cannot be an excellent officer. Accordingly, Sharpe's brief promotion to captain is superseded when a wealthy family buys the position for their second son, and Sharpe is busted back to Lieutenant. Not content to demote Sharpe, the British army gives Sharpe the unenviable duty of being quartermaster - easily the last place an ambitious man of action such as Sharpe wants to be.

Compounding Sharpe's problems is the fact that he just learned that he has a daughter by the Spanish freedom fighter Teresa. The lovely Teresa is still working as an intelligence officer for Major Hogan, and she is spying in the very French fortress that Sharpe must storm. With his wife and daughter in the very place he is trying to raze to the ground, Sharpe is one grumpy cuss.

And to make matters as bad as possible, Sergeant Obidiah Hakeswill (Pete Postlethwait) returns. Hakeswill was Sharpe's sergeant when Sharpe was a private in the India campaign, and Hakeswill took great delight in tormenting Sharpe, even having Sharpe whipped for one of Hakeswill's crimes. An insane, murdering rapist, Hakeswill nevertheless knows how to play to superior officers to get what he wants done, which makes him a lethal opponent for Sharpe and his 95th Rifles even though Sharpe outranks him.

Postlethwait's arrival is fortunate, for this wonderful actor has a field day with the twitchy Hakeswill. Postlethwait's presence makes the absence of Brian Cox as Major Hogan much less noticeable, even if it remains regretable.

Ultimately, Sharpe finds himself battling Hakeswill and the French as he takes charge of the force invading the French fortress. Unlike "Sharpe's Rifles" and "Sharpe's Eagle," which focused quite a bit on the glorious side of battle, "Sharpe's Company" spends a lot of time focusing on the human cost of war as many good young British soldiers are lost in the horrific fighting.

An entertaining adaptation of Bernard Cornwell's novel, "Sharpe's Company" shows that the fans of the Richard Sharpe series have given their devotion to a crack bunch of filmmakers. Enjoy.

Obadiah Hakeswill starts making trouble for Richard Sharpe.......2004-08-23

Whatever my record was for urging one character to kill another in a movie, I surely broke it while watching "Sharpe's Company." This is the third film in the series based on the novels of Bernard Cornwell and is set in Spain in 1812 as the Duke of Wellington begins his invasion of Spain from Portugal while Napoleon is preoccupied with developments in northern Europe. The key to a successful campaign is the capture of two great fortresses, Ciudad Rodrigo in the north and Badajoz in the south. Meanwhile, Richard Sharpe (Sean Bean) has his own concerns.

First, Sharpe is demoted to lieutenant, when the captancy of his unit is purchased a nobleman. That means are hero longs to do something that will get his rank back so that he cannot lose it again, and being the first into the breach when a fort is stormed would be the way of doing it. Second, he learns the his lover, the Spanish rebel Teresa (Assumpta Serna), has given birth to their daughter (which suggests a really big gap of well over a year between the second and third movies). She goes back behind enemy lines to continue her part of the war and ends up in the fort that the British will be attacking in the climax of the movie.

But Sharpe is not the most compelling character in this story. That would be Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill (Pete Postlethwaite), who once had Sharpe flogged for something he did not do. Hakeswill is the villain of this piece and it is not long after he shows up that you start urging Sharpe, Sergeant Harper (Daragh O'Malley) or any one of the riflemen to kill this guy. Because he survived a battle Hakeswill believes he is invincible and this guy is a sadistic loon; I lean towards him being more sadistic than insane, but there is strong evidence either way. This guy talks to his mother in his hat and never takes the direct route to hurt someone, which he manages to do quite often.

We have a new actor playing Wellington at this point (Hugh Fraser) and a new spy master, Major Nairn (Michael Byrne), to complicate Sharpe's life. But the character that I liked was the new colonel of the regiment, who has a touch of the upper class twit to him, especially when it comes to speaking the King's English, but who knows enough about men and soldiering not to completely botch things. This is a man who will apologize to a common soldier when warranted without batting an eye. Now if he would just have Obadiah Hakeswill shot on sight I would be a much happier person.

The attack on Badajoz is a well-staged battle sequences, especially given the limitations of the production in terms of men and material. Sharpe's reason for leading his men in the attack is probably not one that we have heard before, but strikes me as a better reason to face death than we usually hear in such stories. But there is no doubt that what you are going to remember at the end of "Sharpe's Company" is Postlethwaite's performance and since the fourth movie is called "Sharpe's Enemy" there is little doubt as to who is the title character and the only concern is how much damage he will do to Sharpe's friends and family before he meets his just dessert.

Great series.......2003-08-15

I found the first three Shape's adventures to be wonderfully entertaining. My wife and I enjoyed them together. We were both wondering why this is considered the third episode when it should be the fourth - and there is no third. Somehow between Sharp's Eagle and Sharpe's Company our hero is married and has a child. There are glimpses of a wedding - and a duel - at the beginning of the episode but that is all there is: glimpses. But the individual episodes - though better viewed as a series - do stand alone and you can fill in what seems to be missing.

This episode brings Pete Postlethwaite as Sergeant Hakeswill into the series. He is flat out evil and certainly mad. Pete Postlethwaite is a first rate actor so it's interesting to see him in such an over-the-top role. I'm sure he loved it.

The English troops are storming a fortress. After blasting a breach in the wall they are cut down like stalks of wheat until Sharpe and his men take charge. Sharpe is anxious to get inside as his wife and the daughter he has never seen are inside and he knows the English soldiers will rape and pillage once victorious. Sure enough, the guys you were just rooting for now deserve to be swinging from a tree limb. And Sergeant Hawkswill shows up with designs on Sharp's wife.

I have noticed the scripts are not by the same writer so I am quite sure I will run into a clunker or two in the remaining shows in the series, but the first three were all great and as a whole I am equally sure this is going to be a fine series.

Another winning adventure in the Sharpe's series.......2002-03-25

Sharpe and his men are fighting not only the French in this tale but an evil and devious sergeant as well who has some history with Sharpe.

The battle and action scenes are top notch again and the characters are grand and heroic. The settings and costumes make it all very colorful and real.

The actors again do a great job with Sean Bean, Asumpta Serna and Daragh O'Malley giving us wonderful heroic performances. Special mention has to go to Pete Postlethwaite who delivers a scenery chewing performance as the evil Sergeant Hakeswill. Marvelous!

Customer Reviews:

Man on a Mission.......2007-04-23

The struggle between France and Britain is entering its final stages. The Duke of Wellington has taken one step over the Pyrenees. Napoleon needs to know where he will take the second.

British officer Richard Sharpe (Sean Bean) joins Colonel Brand (Mark Strong) travelling behind enemy lines to blow up a French gun powder magazine. Sharpe becomes suspicious of Colonel Brand's loyalty and with the French moving closer, he knows he must risk his own life to confront the enemy.

Meanwhile, alone in the camp and frustrated by her husband's absence, Jane(Abigail Cruttenden) seeks solace in the company of another man.

Sharpe takes on a traitor in "Sharpe's Mission".......2007-04-16

The BBC TV adaptations of Bernard Cornwell's Richard Sharpe novels are faithful to the original source material - with "Sharpe's Gold" being the shockingly bad exception. While the BBC episodes may cobble events from different books into the shows, that's to be forgiven because Cornwell wrote the books out of chronological order.

"Sharpe's Mission" represents a bit of a departure from past practice in that the story is not based on any of Cornwell's books, but is an original creation of the BBC writers. That is not a problem, however, as the writers are steeped in Sharpe lore and the story rings true to those who know and love these characters. A British officer is in league with the French, but has done such a good job of hiding his duplicity that even Sharpe has been taken in by the subterfuge. Now, the traitor tries to lay a trap for Wellington's chief of intelligence, Major General Ross, and it is up to Sharpe to stop it.

The only problem with "Sharpe's Mission" is that it strays too far from this basic storyline. In addition to the British traitor, the movie also has subplots involving Sharpe's wife Jane, who is being seduced by a peacock - an incompetent poet. Sergeant Harper's wife is attacked by a scummy British sergeant, and Harper beaten up in the process. A band of gypsies is murdered by the traitors, and saved by British explosives expert Pyecroft, who harbors a grudge against Ross for wounding Pyecroft with an ill-timed fuse, and . . . you get the idea.

The BBC Sharpe productions are charming in their low-budget glory. Generally, when you've got only a little bit of cash to spend, you focus on getting everything in your story just right, and making sure all the elements of your story work to perfection. "Sharpe's Mission," unfortunately, has too much story and seems to jump about from A to D to B to Q, and then back to C.

Fans of the Sharpe series will still enjoy "Sharpe's Mission," and the cast is up to their usual standards. But it must be said that this is one of the weaker episodes in the series, and if it weren't for the dreadful "Sharpe's Gold," would probably mark the low point. That's pretty high praise, however.

A mission that actually ends with all the loose ends tied up.......2004-10-02

"Sharpe's Mission" starts with a flashback early in Wellington's Peninsula campaign where then Captain Sharpe (Sean Bean) and another officer named Brand (Mark Strong) encounter a French patrol. The French are holding a wounded British lieutenant and torturing him. Sharpe is going to rush the position but Brand goes instead. However, once Brand reaches the French they slip away and he shoots the lieutenant, bringing the body back to the other British troops. Because of his "heroism," as reported by Sharpe, Brand is promoted. The ruse has put a French spy into position in Wellington's army.

When we come to the present Major Sharpe is ordered to go behind French lines with a detachment commanded by Colonel Brand to destroy an ammunitions dump. On the other side the French want Brand to set a trap to capture Major General Ross (James Laurenson) and have another "ruse de guerre" to help with that plan. Meanwhile, Sharpe and Patrick Harper (Daragh O'Malley) are having similar problems with their brides. Jane Sharpe (Abigail Cruttenden), weary of being a military wife, is enjoying the attentions of a poet who has gone to make drawings of the war. Ramona Harper (Diana Perez) is made at her husband, who is paying too much attention to the gypsy girls visiting the camp, and is the target of the unwanted affections of Shellington (Warren Saire), a sergeant who is Brand's right-hand man.

The gypsies also introduce us to one of the more interesting supporting characters in the series. Major Pyecroft (Nigel Betts) is an explosions expert who weathers a leather hood because of a fuse that was cut too short. When Brand and Shellington, wearing their own masks, slaughter a young gypsy girl's parents, he helps her bury them and makes himself her protector. Pyecroft and Ross are old friends, but the "accident" has come between them, and the Major is not happy with being assigned to this particular mission. Brand, hearing that the gypsy girl escaped, is out to silence the one witness who can tie him to the murders. Then there is the mission to capture the French fort and destroy the ammunition before the French troops show up in force, which involves a couple of nice moments when Sharpe convinces the foot to surrender and gives Brand's men a way to end their military careers honorably.

This eleventh film in the Sharpe series has an original screenplay by Charles Wood based on the Bernard Cornwell Sharpe novels (one of two in the series). The fact that this is an original story and not an adaptation undoubtedly explains why for once in the series the villains enjoy an appropriate comeuppance at the hands of Sharpe and his Chosen Men. Sharpe actually deals with Brand, Harper gets to pay back Shellington, and it is Coporal Harris (Jason Salkey) who fixes the wagon of the poet wooing Jane. The fight between Harper and Shellington is one of the better choreographed fights in the series (with a neat setting) and I especially like the way Sharpe and Harris dispatch their targets. This might not be the way Cornwell would have done it, but for once it is great to just indulge in pointed victories.

Quite good, but.............2002-06-08

I found the sound quite irritating. The music was set a couple of notches above the dialog so that I had to keep adjusting it. The picture quality was good but every now and then the picture would jerk slightly during sequences involving fast movement. I enjoyed the story and thought the settings, etc. were close to being authentic but did feel that the mayhem was sanitized. I don't REALLY want to see severed limbs flying about or disembowelled horses when a group is hit by a cannon ball(as in reality)- but there should be SOME blood! Corpses on the ground should bear some marks of being slashed by a cavalryman - they should be lying in a pool of their own blood. As in the other episodes, I did not feel it accurately portrayed the horrors of warfare in those days - that the books did very well.

A Grittier Horatio!.......2001-05-16

If you like Horatio Hornblower, you need to get ALL of the Sharpe's videos on DVD. Sharpe is a grittier Horatio, set in the English Army during Napoleon's time. Almost a reluctant hero, you'll get hooked and want them ALL. Sharpe's Mission is no different, an engaging storyline and lots of action.

Average customer rating:

Sharpe Battle's on
BBC Sharpe Adaptations Return to Form after Horrible "Sharpe's Gold"
Swashbuckling and Tears
Richard Sharpe and his Chosen Men go hunting wolves
Sharpe as always

Sharpe's Battle
Starring: Sean Bean , Daragh O'Malley , Hugh Fraser , Hugh Ross , and John Tams
Director: Tom Clegg
Manufacturer: Bfs Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Sharpe's Gold
Sharpe's Sword Collection Set
Sharpe's Honour
Sharpe's Regiment
Sharpe's Siege

ASIN: B000055WAN
Release Date: 2000-11-28

Customer Reviews:

Sharpe Battle's on.......2007-04-23

Like every episode this one leaves you on the edge of you seat and wanting more.

BBC Sharpe Adaptations Return to Form after Horrible "Sharpe's Gold".......2007-03-22

The BBC adaptations of Bernard Cornwell's beloved Richard Sharpe series of novels have won fans on both sides of the Atlantic with their solid storytelling, charmingly low-budget effects, and the solid work of the actors. While occasionally mixing and matching plot lines from the novels (Cornwell has written the novels out of sequence, so that's fair), the adaptations remain true to the spirit of the novels.

The previous entry in this series, "Sharpe's Gold," was an abysmal failure on the part of the filmmakers to deviate from Cornwell's stories, and a ridiculous plot about Aztec gold and witchcraft destroyed "SG."

So it is with happy heart that I can relate that with "Sharpe's Battle," the filmmakers returned to the series' roots - Wellington's clash with Napoleon and the world of Sharpe and his 95th Rifles. Nary an Aztec or Mayan to be seen, and all is right with the world.

Richard Sharpe (Sean Bean) is gutter trash who in earlier episodes was raised from the ranks (almost unheard of in the classist British army) when he saved Wellington's life. Now a major, Sharpe remains a murderous s.o.b., and Wellington recognizes that Sharpe is just the man for various dirty missions and odd jobs. In "SB," Wellington charges Sharpe with training up a woeful bunch of Irish soldiers on loan from the Spanish king. These soldiers have been languishing on palace detail for years, and most of their muskets don't even work. It is up to Sharpe to cut the wheat from the chaff as brutally as possible.

Making matters difficult for Sharpe is the commanding officer of the Irish troops, Lord Kiely (Jason Durr). Kiely is a true aristocrat and cannot hide his contempt for Sharpe. Kiely also ignores his adoring wife, Lady Kiely (Allie Byrne) out of grief and resentment because their last child died shortly after being born. Instead, Kiely goes to the bed of a gorgeous Spanish partisan . . . who just happens to be a spy for the French.

And the French are led by a dastardly general named Loup, the "Wolf." Sharpe runs afoul of Loup when he executes two of Loup's men after Sharpe finds them raping Spanish civilians. Loup is the kind of guy who wins wars by using horror to cow the enemy into submission, and he's just the kind of guy Sharpe loves putting a bullet or two into. A face-off is imminent.

Loup is cunning, too, and uses espionage and lies to poison the Irish infantry against their English commanders.

Look for many fine - if low-budget - fight scenes in "SB," as well as Sharpe's unique brand of chivalry and leadership. Also, be prepared to say a tearful good-bye to a cherished Rifleman (or two . . .). All in all, a fine adaptation of a good Cornwell story. Watch this one after you've watched the earlier adaptations so the characters make sense, but feel free to skip "Sharpe's Gold."

Swashbuckling and Tears.......2006-08-03

Like all of the Sharpe installments, this episode features the adventures of Richard Sharpe. This time, he must take charge of the Royal Irish Guard, a special force more useful as decoration to the Spanish King than as a fighting force. The episode is both action-packed and heartrending as one of Sharpe's long-time riflemen is lost. Sean Bean's mastery of the character is apparent, and fans of the series will not be disappointed.

Richard Sharpe and his Chosen Men go hunting wolves.......2004-09-13

The seventh movie in the Sharpe series is set in September 1813 as Wellington is chasing Napoleon back through the Pyrenees into France in the final stage of the Peninsula campaign. While a final victory seems close at hand, the French are fighting a fierce rear-guard action and each yard of ground is being paid for with British blood. His Most Catholic Majesty, King Ferdinand VII of Spain, offers his English allies his bodyguard, the Royal Irish Guard. This does not sit well with Wellington (Hugh Fraser), not only because the bodyguard have never seen action but also because they are Irish (or the sons of Irish refugees in the case of the palace guard). A third of his army is Irish and their loyalty is in question, especially as word comes from back home of new atrocities inflicted by the English. Wellington's solution is to have Sharpe (Sean Bean) and his Chosen Men see to the training of the guard troops, knowing this will stick in the craw of their leader, Lord Kiely (Jason Durr).

Sharpe and Kiely have already crossed paths and gotten off to a bad start. Kiely has romantic illusions about the glory of battle, but actually proves to be smart enough to understand the value of the lessons Sharpe keeps imparting. Besides, Sharpe has already had a nasty encounter with Brigadier Loup (Oliver Cotton), the commander of an elite French unit decked out in wolf furs. Sharpe catches a couple of Loup's men raping a girl in a village and has them executed. Loup vows to see Sharpe dead (get in line, guy), so we know what the climax of this one is going to be, but only if our hero can deal with the Irish troops complaining about "the Troubles" back home (it is interesting to see the American media causing problems at the start of the 19th century). O'Rourke (Liam Carney), one of the palace guards, seems inclined to cause some trouble himself and we cannot be having that now.

Meanwhile there are some romantic subplots that do not, for once, involve Sharpe bedding anyone (which is a good thing). Kiely is being followed around by his wife, Lady Kiely (Allie Byrne), whose husband has been ignoring her since the death of their infant child while he has taken up with the Doña Juanita (Phelim Drew), a partisan who is supposed to be helping the Allies. Lady Kiely turns to Sharpe for help, which puts out hero in an interesting position. Then there is young Perkins (Lyndon Davies), who falls in love with the young girl Sharpe's men rescued from Loup's men. However, the best these romantic relationships can hope for is a bittersweet ending, and only one gets to end that happily.

In "Sharpe's Battle" it is once again interesting to see how the production makes the most out of what little it has to give us a sense of Bernard Cornwell's novels about the Napoleonic Wars. We get a sense of the training and tactics involved in shooting a musket, but the battles usually end up being people in costumes running around, although this time we get a better sense of the Chosen Men as marksmen. Yet in the end it comes down to Richard Sharpe swinging a sword. This is an inherent flaw in the series, but that is what happens when you are dealing with the budgets for television movies, and the attraction of the Sharpe stories comes down to the interaction between him and his men, especially Sgt. Harper (Daragh O'Malley) and the singing Daniel Hagman (John Tams). The Sharpe movies come down to characters more than action, which is how it should be.

Sharpe as always.......2001-01-26

Sharpe's Battle is significant because of a couple of things - it is based on the only Bernard Cornwell Sharpe novel to be written while the series was in production, and in it Sharpe not only doesn't get the girl, he turns her down! It is 1813, and when Wellington is assigned the Spanish Royal Irish Guards, a motely bunch who have never fired a musket, he decides to rid himself of them by assigning them the hardest taskmaster he knows - Major Richard Sharpe. However, there are a couple of complications with Wellington's plan: one, Sharpe gets to actually *like* the Irish guards and wants to turn them into soldiers, and Sharpe is also the target of a vendetta by the villanous General Guy Loup, a Frenchman with a wolf fetish. Add to this mix the teetering marriage of Lord Kiely, the guards' commander, his sinister mistress Juanita, and reports of English atrocities in Ireland threatening to start a mutiny and you have the makings of a classic Sharpe adventure.

Customer Reviews:

Sharpe's Siege.......2007-04-23

It is the winter of 1813. Wellington is gathering the forces preparing for the final push into France. Napoleon has dispatched his best agent, Major Ducos (Feodor Atkine), to find out where the invasion will begin.

Newlywed Richard Sharpe (Sean Bean) must leave his wife (Abigail Crutenden) to go on a mission in the Pyrenees, capturing a French castle while Wellington forces a passage through Napoleon's flank.

A deadly fever has swept through the British camp and Sharpe's wife is infected and close to death.

Sharpe and his Chosen Men finally make it into France .......2004-09-28

The opening scrawl for a lot of the most recent adventures in the Sharpe series have been telling us that Wellington is above to move the British Army from Spain into France itself. The Duke (Hugh Fraser) does not quite make it across the border in this tenth film in the series, but Sharpe (Sean Bean) and his Chosen Men certainly do. The military question is what direction will Wellington go once he crosses into France and Napoleon's spy master Maj. Pierre Ducos (Féodor Atkine) has a plan to force the British to go where the French wish them to go.

Our hero becomes involved when a French noble named Maquerre (Christian Brendel) comes into camp and says that the people of Bourdeaux, loyal to the Bourbons, are ready to rise against Napoleon once the British army shows up. Wellington send a force under the command of Horce Bampfylde (Christopher Villiers), a young colonel who is the son of an old general, along with Sharpe and the Prince of Wales' own men. Sharpe has just married Jane Gibbons (Abigail Cruttenden), but his new bride is down with the fever that is decimating the troops and her worried husband has to leave her behind.

Of course Bampfylde is wet behind the ears and arrogant enough to challenge Sharpe to a duel (the major takes exception to the colonel's bad language in the officer's mess in front of Jane), until it is pointed out that Sharpe is the guy who gunned down French cavalrymen to save Wellington, captured one of Napoleon's eagles, and all the rest of the high points on his military resume. You would think the British army would be running out of idiots to make Sharpe's superior officer, but not even Wellington with an army in the field has managed to find such oafs in short supply. True, this is a recurring element in Bernard Cromwell's stories about this maverick officer, but you do get tired of seeing all those troops in the nice red uniforms being slaughtered because of the incompetence of their commanders.

"Sharpe's Siege" refers to a French fort that Sharpe has to take (Bampfylde has not a clue how to) and then defend (because Bampfylde decides not to hold it despite Wellington's orders). In addition to being fearful for Jane's life Sharpe has to deal with Catherine (Amira Casar), a young French noblewoman taking care of her dying mother and Sergeant Major Harper (Daragh O'Malley) having a toothache that not even the consumption of mass quantities of brandy can help.

There are a trio of things that make this an above average offering in this excellent series for me. The first is that despite the limited resources and extras the defense of the fort at the climax of the story is well handled. For once we really get a sense of what Sharpe and the defenders are trying to do and how it will work. The second is that there is a nice touch with the French colonel (Stephane Cornicard) and his junior officer, Gaston (Ecrument Balakoglu). They are not exactly comic relief in this episode, but you get the sense of two men who are weary of the war they have been waging for so many years and too many miles, where the debacle of Moscow is the base line by which the horrors of war are judged.

Finally, there is the question of who is the best shot in Sharpe's brigade. Young Robinson (Danny Cunningham) feels the title belongs to him, but we all know that Hagman (John Tams, who also does the music for these films) will have something to say about that. How the matter is settled is a nice little scene that follows up on Sharpe's confrontation with the story's traitor, wherein our hero promises that the bad guy he will be shot dead the first chance they get. The guy should have listened.

So, at long last Sharpe and his men are in France with Wellington and the rest of the British army about to join them (at least, I would hope so). Now that we have gotten past that particular milestone the next question is when will Sharpe receive his promotion to colonel? He went from lieutenant to captain to major fairly quickly and with Wellington's own spy master suggesting that Sharpe is ready for the post the time may well be near.

Back to Business.......2001-04-24

After mucking about in England during "Sharpe's Regiment", Sharpe and Harper are back in Spain, as Wellington dithers about which way to go to invade France. Along comes the Maquerre, a French aristocrat loyal to the Royalist cause who claims that Bordeaux is ripe for revolt against Napoleon. Sharpe and the South Essex are sent with his new and very green commanding officer, Colonel Bamfylde to take the Maquerre's ancestral castle, a simple mission which quickly becomes more complicated than not. In the meantime, Sharpe's new bride, Jane Gibbons is sick with malaria, and may not survive to see Sharpe return - if he manages at all to do so.

Well, it's back to blowing things up and firing upon the French for old Sharpie, and we're all the better for it. The Chosen Men return, as do the wonderfully grotesque "Sweet" William Frederickson and Sharpe's own nemesis, the French spymaster Ducos. This is a competently told Sharpe, almost by the numbers, with the only thing of note being a completely useless and idiotic Colonel Bamfylde, who shouldn't be entrusted with the command of a toilet brush, let alone a regiment. They overplay this quite a bit and it got annoying - surely nobody could be that stupid. However, having read the military history of that period, I could almost believe it.

The subplot of Jane on the verge of death had me pretty bored. I know that the ladies love the romance bits, but even then, Jane is a pretty useless character, with no real personality. But then, that was the purpose she served in the books, until.... ah, well, no spoilers.

The print on this DVD is suprisingly clear, better than some of the others in fact. Not as crisp as we spoilt viewers demand these days, but above the rest. Perhaps the film stock was improving as the series went on.

A formulaic Sharpe, but we're getting closer to the good stuff now, and right at the end of the road waits a small Belgian town called Waterloo...

Sharpe's SIEGE... another GREAT adventure!.......2001-04-11

What can I say? I personally found this to be one of my favorite episodes of SHARPE'S. Its not quite as good as the first two episodes (RIFLES and EAGLE) but SIEGE is great all the same. If you're not familiar with the series, see try to see the other episodes first. If you are familiar with the series, try to see REGIMENT before watching SIEGE. A new character is introduced in that story, and she's important in this one.

This adventure sees our favorite British Riflemen on a mission to take a French castle, during the British invasion of France (1813). While battling the French, British forces must also battle fever, and political manipulations from all around. This episode also features appearances by some re-occuring characters (both friend and foe).

Customer Reviews:

Excellent entertainment!.......2007-03-09

In spite of a lifelong fascination with history, I have never had much interest in the Napoleanic era, or the Napoleanic Wars--until I started watching this series. Now we own the entire set, and are acquiring the books on which it is based as rapidly as we can. That alone should indicate how high my opinion of these films is.

If you've read the books, you will find that the timeline has been altered for the movies--but I doubt you will be disappointed. In my opinion, this entire series is one of the best adaptations of book to movie that has ever been done. Both mediums remain emminently enjoyable, and I cannot say that "the books are better than the movies" or "the movie is better than the books." They are entirely complimentary

If you liked Horatio Hornblower and Master and Commander, you will almost certainly enjoy these. Highly recommended!

British TV series continues apace with "Sharpe's Honour".......2007-02-17

Bernard Cornwell's Richard Sharpe novels are among the most beloved stories in historical fiction. Cornwell, a Brit living in America, has captivated fans in his native and adopted homelands with the heroic tales of Sharpe, gutter trash raised from the ranks by Wellington to become a critical officer during the Napoleonic Wars.

The TV adaptations are slightly askew from the novels, but that's no surprise. By the outset of "Sharpe's Honour," Sharpe's beloved wife Teresa, the "Needle" who killed so many Frenchmen, is dead. Sharpe (Sean Bean) grieves, even as Sergeant Harper looks to become a father for the first time.

The French care not for Sharpe's woes, and Major Ducos - Sharpe's sworn enemy - thirsts for revenge. (Napoleon himself wants to see Sharpe ruined!) Ducos convinces the beautiful wife of a Spanish colonel to write a false letter accusing Sharpe of rape, hoping to simultaneously ruin Sharpe and also drive a wedge between Wellington and his Spanish allies.

The letter apparently succeeds, as Sharpe is accused of the murder of the Spanish colonel following their duel. Thanks to the representation by the worst lawyer to ever serve in the English bar, Sharpe is sentenced to death by hanging.

For anyone who has paid attention to the fact that this is the fifth installment in a fourteen DVD pack, it should come as no surprise that Sharpe is not killed. What ensues following his "hanging," however, is a rollicking tale of vengeance, rescue, derring-do, and even a wee bit of honor. Again, there is no electric guitar on the soundtrack to sully the waters, so this is one well-executed if low-budget adventure story. And without giving too much away, even the most cynical Sharpe fan will laugh uproariously as Sharpe does battle with a bunch of protesting Spanish nuns, brandishing a chicken like a battleaxe and taking a few cabbages upside the head.

For fans of the series, this is a must-see. If you're not a fan, grab a copy of Cornwell's first book in the series, "Sharpe's Tiger," and get reading. (It helps to watch the movies if you've already read the novels.)

Sharpe's Honor.......2006-02-05

Being enthralled with the Sharpe series, I have really nothing negative to say about any of the installments. Sharpe's Honour is no different. Following the tragic "Sharpe's Enemey", "..Honor finds Sharpe further put upon by having to restore his tarnished reputation, thanks to a frame-up by his nemesis, Ducos. It's a rousing story, told well, filmed well. The two amusing things of notice is Sharpe's chosen men start to dwindle ridiculously low and This epsiode marks the beginning of the "Love interest of the week" scenerio that will continue in the following stories. Nevertheless, it's a great poignant episode in the series and a must have for any Sharpe collector.

Sharpe has to go undercover to restore his lost honour.......2004-09-02

At the beginning of "Sharpe's Honour," the fifth in the series of television films adapted from the novels of Bernard Cornwell about the maverick officer raised from the ranks by the Duke of Wellington, we discover that Napoleon (Ron Cook) himself is looking forward to our hero's demise. It is 1813 and Bonaparte is retreating from Russia and trying to hold on to Spain, currently ruled by his brother Joseph. Wellington's successes are putting things at risk and the wily Major Ducos (Féodor Atkine) has come up with a plan that will not only result in Sharpe's death, but keep Spain allied with France. The plot hinges on a letter written by the beautiful La Marquesa (Alice Krige) accusing Sharpe (Sean Bean) of rape. Because keeping their potential allies happy might mean more than either Sharpe's honor or life, the truth of the matter might not matter to Wellington (Hugh Fraser) and his own spy master, Major Narin (Michael Byrne).

"Sharpe's Honour" combines a little bit of courtroom drama with a whole bunch of sneaky around behind enemy lines. The plan Ducos has put together is rather complex, trying to put all several pieces into position to solidify the French position in Spain (apparently at this point in time it still pays to expect the Spanish Inquisition), and making doubly sure that Sharpe swings at the end of a rope. Meanwhile, Sergeant Harper (Daragh O'Malley) has to worry not only about Major Sharpe's neck but the impending birth of a child by his wife. Still, for those who like it when Sharpe and Harper are thrown together at every opportunity this Sharpe movie does more than its fair share. There is a classic exchange in this one where Sharpe spies the sergeant and says, "Drunk again, Harper?" Without batting an eye Harper replies, "Oh, me too, sir."

This is a solid offering in the series even if it is not part of the top rank. One of the things I have learned from "Sharpe's Honour" and the previous film, "Sharpe's Enemy," is that Cornwell's stories tend to violate the conventional expectations of such dramas. There are a lot of people that I expect Sharpe to kill in these stories, but he never seems to get to most of them, although they tend to meet their richly deserved fates. But then you know that for our dashing hero being accused of assault by a woman is no reason not for sparks to fly between them. We can only wonder what Napoleon will have in store for Sharpe next on their way to getting together on the field at Waterloo down the road in the fourteenth and final adventure in the series.

Sharp's Honor.......2003-02-02

I was disappointed in the screen play of this great book. I found the book much richer in story. In the book Sharp and the (golden Whore) had known each other in a biblical way from a previous book (Sharps Sword) wherein he also slaughters her evil brother(Colonel Leroux ). In the screen play they do not know each other at all. Also Harper did not accompany Sharp on this Mission to capture La Marquesa,this role was better served by the Spanish boy Angel.

Customer Reviews:

Regimental Entertainment.......2007-04-23

Based on Bernard Cornwell's best selling novels, Sean Bean returns as swashbuckling British officer Richard Sharpe.

It is June 1813. After the victory at Victoria, Wellington is preparing the troops for the invasion France.

The depleted South Essex is a battalion at half strength. Wellington sends Sharpe to England to recruit nw soldiers. Sharpe and the newly promoted Sergeant Major Harper (Daragh O'Malley) discover corruption in the highest ranks of the British Army. When their suspicions are reported, they find themselves the targets of an assassination attempt.

In the dramatic race against time to prove their allegations, Sharpe and Harper fake their own deaths and re-enlist in the South Essex...

sharpe's regiment.......2007-02-07

Meets my standards as to historical accuracy as regards to weapons, uniforms and geographic locations. Having read the bernard cornwell novels, I found the movies an excellent addition to my knowledge of british military history.

Sharpe-The Entire Series.......2007-01-10

All of the series are exceptional. I like period pieces and as a Transplanted Brit. I enjoy anything to do with any part of British history romantisized or not. And as a retired U.S.Army soldier I appreciate reading about and watching stories of one such as Sharpe who came up through the ranks much as I did. This review applies to all episodes in the Sharpe Series.

Sharpe and Harper (re)join the British army as recruits.......2004-09-19

It is still Spain and still 1813 at the start of this ninth effort in the Sharpe series, and after his victory at Vitoria the Duke of Wellington is preparing to finally invade France. Meanwhile, the depleted South Essex regiment faces heavy opposition at the French frontier and are actually forced to retreat. Sharpe (Sean Bean) is sent to England to recruit new soldiers so that the regiment can stay together and brings Sergeant Major Harper (Daragh O'Malley) along for the fun. We know that we are in new territory for our hero when he is introduced to the Prince of Wales (Julian Fellowes), who cheerfully insists that he was on the field when Sharpe captured one of Napoleon's eagles (in "Sharpe's Eagle") and also insists on calling our hero "Dick."

The problem is that the South Essex barracks back home are emtpy and the troops that Sharpe wants to take back to Spain are said to exist only "on paper." However, "Dick" has seen evidence to the contrary and soon discovers corruption in the British army that rises to the highest ranks. Sharpe is targeted for assassination and after Harper saves him the pair decide to go undercover. With everybody thinking they are dead they "enlist" in the army, which means that Sharpe goes from attending a party hosted by the man who is supposed to be the next king of England to crawling through the mud while a sadistic sergeant calls him "filth" and other foul names.

The unit Sharpe ("Dick Vaugh") and Harper ("O'Keefe") have joined is commanded by Colonel Girdwood (Mark Lambert), who pays more attention to this appearance than is healthy, orders all deserters shot on sight, and likes to hunt men for sport. But between Girdwood and the highly placed person running this scheme is our old friend, Sir Henry Simmerson (Michael Cochrane), who I thought had been run through by a priest in the previous episode and who remains the person in the Sharpe series who most deserves to die a horrible death (yes, even ahead of Nappy). Simmerson is always bullying somebody around and this time it is his niece, Jane Gibbons (Abigail Cruttenden), who he wants to marry off to Girdwood.

Sharpe's love life takes a significant turn in "Sharpe's Regiment," because not only does Jane look at him with adoring eyes while he feels inclined to protect her from Sir Henry, but there is also a dowager countess, Lady Anne Camoynes (Caroline Langrishe), who has taken a liking to Sharpe as ladies both high born and low are inclined to do and sees him as being part of her own little set of plans. Besides, somebody has to function as the deus ex machina in this adaptation of the Bernard Cornwell novel.

The taste of what it was like be recruited and trained to become a soldier in the British army is what stands out in "Sharpe's Regimen." Sharpe's discomfort being among the high and mighty is also enjoyable, but not as much as when he puts on his own green uniform and starts setting things to rights. The battle sequence that serves as the film's coda seems rather tacked on, giving the actors playing the Chosen Men a day to draw some pay and for one of the recruits to yell out the story's title. If it were not for the way the finale scenes go a bit against the grain of the rest of this 1996 adventure I would have rounded up instead of down. Still, overall the Sharpe series is a triumph of character and story over the constraints of a limited budget.

Favourite Sharpe.......2004-06-28

This is probably my favourite Sharpe of all. It's because he is such a duck out of water in the halls of power. Sean Bean's acting is superb (as Bernard Cornwell says Sean Bean is Sharpe). I enjoy seeing Sharpe in his element in his native England when he returns to the backstreets and re-enlists. I highly recommend this series to anyone with any interest in history or anyone who enjoys good drama.

Average customer rating:

Carries on the Tradition in Grand Style
Sharpe saves the day (again...and not for the last time...).
From Rifles to Swords
Enjoyable, but not outstanding
Lots of spy intrigue in one of the best of the Sharpe series

Sharpe's Sword
Starring: Sean Bean , Daragh O'Malley , John Tams , Jason Salkey , and Emily Mortimer
Director: Tom Clegg
Manufacturer: Bfs Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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