Sharpe's Mission (1996)

Sharpe is teamed with a Colonel he helped promote and they are tasked to destroy a powder magazine, but an alliance with the French may threaten their success. Meanwhile, Jane is wearying of the army life and Harper and Ramona are at odds.

Director:

Tom Clegg

Writers:

Bernard Cornwell (characters), Eoghan Harris

Stars:

Sean Bean, Daragh O'Malley, Abigail Cruttenden

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sean Bean	...	Richard Sharpe
Daragh O'Malley	...	Patrick Harper
Abigail Cruttenden	...	Jane Gibbons
James Laurenson	...	Maj. Gen. Ross
Hugh Fraser	...	Wellington
Mark Strong	...	Brand
Andrew Schofield	...	Pope
Nigel Betts	...	Pyecroft
Warren Saire	...	Shellington
John Tams	...	Daniel Hagman
Jason Salkey	...	Harris
Diana Perez	...	Ramona
Peter Le Campion	...	Colonel Cresson
Olivier Pierre	...	General Calvet
Christian Rodska	...	Crake

Storyline

Three years previously Sharpe has been on a scouting party with Major Brand whose heroics found him promoted to Colonel. Now Sharpe is reunited with Brand,leader of a commando force,to go behind enemy lines and destroy a French gunpowder store. Also along are Major-General Ross,Wellington's head of intelligence,the disfigured explosives expert Major Pyecroft and Pyecroft's gypsy lover Zara,whom he rescued when a band of masked men killed her family. In fact Brand is leading them into a trap to capture Ross as he is a French spy and traitor,responsible for the deaths of Zara's family. Sharpe and Ross have their suspicions,which are confirmed after Brand's sergeant Pope tries to kill Zara.The fort is taken and Brand court-martialled and killed in a fight with Sharpe. The store is destroyed,thanks to Pyecroft. Back at camp a pretentious war reporter Shillington tries,unsuccessfully, to impress Jane with his poetry,though his sketches inadvertently help Sharpe to trap Brand.

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Plot Keywords:

scout | journalist | traitor | british soldier | 1800s | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | History | War

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English French Spanish

Release Date:

5 August 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Scharfschützen - 11. Der Verräter

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carlton UK Productions, Celtic Films, Celtic/Picture Palace

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The white long-sleeved nightgown worn by Allie Byrne (Lady Kiely) is the same costume worn by Abigail Cruttenden (Jane Sharp) in Sharpe's Battle.

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Goofs

When Sharpe rolls over a dead Frenchman he blinks.

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Quotes

Harper: I wouldn't want to be caught dead in the same grave as you.

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Connections

Follows Sharpe's Rifles (1993)

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Soundtracks

"Gentleman Soldier"
Traditional
Performed by John Tams

User Reviews

Another good outing

Sharpe's Mission bucks the trend of the later Sharpe episodes in still being a good story with plenty of action. Once again Sean Bean excels in the lead role, ably supported by an impressive cast.

The story, as mentioned, is good; exposing the corrupt nature of some elements engaged in France, as well as hinting at the first signs of weakness in Sharpe's marriage. The episode moves along at a brisk pace, and yet still has time for some nice touches of humour with Harris' dealing of the slimy Shellington.

Overall a good episode which whilst not achieving the highs of the first few outings, still an improvement over some of the later showings.