Goofs

Just after Simmerson gives the order to destroy the bridge, Leroy spurs his horse on. The horse at this point is a bay with a star, but when he canters down on the other side of the bridge he is riding a chestnut with a stripe

As the British force approaches the bridge, their supply wagon is a two-wheeled cart. The following day, when they are roping barrels of gunpowder to the bridge, the supply wagon has four wheels.

Sharpe teaches the South Essex to increase their rate of fire by simply dropping the musket ball down the barrel and tapping the butt on the ground to jolt it down, rather than using the ramrod. However, this method would only be used in an emergency as it badly affects the accuracy and power of the musket. It is perfectly possible to fire three to four rounds a minute using the ramrod, with practice. (Having said that, it is possible Sharpe taught them the shortcut because of the extremely limited time Simmerson allowed him to train them).

The Union Flag carried by the troops is upside down.

At the opening of the Battle of Talavera the French cannons do not recoil when they are fired.

A number of the South Essex are equipped with French rather than British muskets. Both sides would often pick up equipment from the enemy if it was of better quality, for example weapons and packs.

The Battle of Talavera was fought in July 1809. Actors are frequently shown dressed for cold weather (heavy overcoats and such) and their breath is visible in several closeups, revealing that filming took place in cold weather.

When Sharpe promises to capture an eagle, the dead Major Lennox's eyes blink/flutter twice before the end of the scene.

When jumping to conclusions about the company Major Horgan might put him in command of, Sharpe mentions the Coldstream Guards and the Connaught Rangers. Neither of these regiments were known by these names at the time of the Battle of Talavera.

After the fiasco of blowing up the bridge when Sharpe and Harper are waiting for debrief outside Wellesley's office, Sharpe refers to Wellesley as "Wellington". However, Sir Arthur Wellesley only becomes Viscount Wellington (the first of his Wellington titles before Earl, Marquess, and finally Duke of Wellington) at the end of this episode.

After the battle of Talavera, while the wounded are still being carried into the hospital, Countess Josephina informs Sharpe that London has created Wellesley Lord Wellington as a result of his victory. There is no way that London could have been informed of the results of the battle so quickly, let alone returned word of Wellesley's elevation.