Sharpe's Rifles (1993)

In the Peninsular War, a British sergeant is field promoted to a lieutenant in charge of a disrespectful rifle company.

Director:

Tom Clegg

Writers:

Eoghan Harris, Bernard Cornwell (based on the novel by)

Stars:

Sean Bean, Assumpta Serna, Brian Cox

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sean Bean	...	Sharpe
Brian Cox	...	Hogan
Daragh O'Malley	...	Harper
Assumpta Serna	...	Teresa
David Troughton	...	Wellesley
Simón Andreu	...	Vivar
Michael Mears	...	Cooper
John Tams	...	Hagman
Jason Salkey	...	Harris
Paul Trussell	...	Tongue
Lyndon Davies	...	Perkins
Julian Fellowes	...	Major Dunnett
Tim Bentinck	...	Captain Murray
Richard Ireson	...	Sgt. Williams
Martin Jacobs	...	Lawford

Storyline

Portugal 1809, the Peninsular War in the age of Napoleon. A British sergeant in the 95th Rifles saves the life of Arthur Wellesley, and 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.

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Plot Keywords:

19th century | year 1809 | peninsular war | iberian peninsula | rifleman | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | History | War

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site The Sharpe Appreciation Society

Country:

UK

Language:

English Spanish French Yiddish Portuguese

Release Date:

5 May 1993 (UK)

Also Known As:

Sharpe's Rifles

Filming Locations:

Crimea, Ukraine

Company Credits

Production Co:

Celtic Films Entertainment, Central, Picture Palace

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The "Chosen Men", although fact based, were not a unit but the equivalent of Lance Corporals. The producers brought them together so that Sharpe's character would have a regular team around him, with a sense of camaraderie.

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Goofs

After Teresa has helped Sharpe and his men to gain access to Torrecastro she appears to pull down a zip fastener to remove the skirt she was wearing over her trousers. A functional version of this type of fastener was not perfected until 1913 by Gideon Sundback in the U.S.A.

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Quotes

Man in Black: You say you are an Irishman. Why should you be loyal to the British dogs, who want to take you to Lisbon to shoot you?
Patrick Harper: Jesus, you took the words right out of my mouth.
Man in Black: I can help you. Give me the box?
Patrick Harper: And if I do?
Man in Black: You will be rich.
Patrick Harper: And if I don't?
Man in Black: You will be dead.
Patrick Harper: Hmm... well, you're having the best of the argument so far.

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Connections

Followed by Sharpe's Eagle (1993)

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Soundtracks

Salamanca
(uncredited)
Traditional

User Reviews

Excellent start to a classic series

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