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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.
Written by
Kathy Li
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Details
Release Date:
5 May 1993 (UK)
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Also Known As:
Die Scharfschützen - 1. Das Banner des Blutes
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Company Credits
Technical Specs
Aspect Ratio:
1.78 : 1
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Did You Know?
Trivia
The rifle used by Sharpe's unit (and indeed by all British rifle companies of the Napoleonic Wars) is the Pattern 1800 Infantry Rifle, known also as the "Baker" rifle after its designer, London gunsmith Ezekiel Baker. Formally adopted in 1800 for limited issue to special rifle companies, this .635-caliber flintlock weapon was one of the first rifles to be mass-produced, and the first type of rifle to be accepted as an issue weapon by a major military. Previous rifles used in combat were fielded by militia units, whose members were required to supply their own gun; the Baker was a departure both in being purpose-built for the British Army and in taking its design cues not from the long, smooth-bore muskets used by Regulars as previous rifles had been - as in the case of the classic American long rifles used during the American Revolution - but after the shorter, more compact German and Prussian "Jaeger" rifles, which were meant originally to be hunting weapons. The Baker was well-regarded for its accuracy and durability, and was so successful that it was produced until 1838 and issued as late as 1841. Bakers were also used in various colonial conflicts, against the Americans during the War of 1812, and, in the hands of Mexican troops (alongside Brown Bess muskets), during the Texan Revolution.
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Goofs
When Teresa is helping Sharpe and his men to gain access to Torrecastro, she slashes a French soldier across the stomach, killing him. A fraction of a second later we see her sword, and there isn't a drop of blood on it.
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Quotes
Rifleman Tongue:
Isiah Tongue, sir!
Richard Sharpe:
Yes, I know that. Where you from, Tongue?
Rifleman Tongue:
[
mumbling]
No, sir...
Richard Sharpe:
Speak up, man!
Rifleman Tongue:
Don't know, sir!
Richard Sharpe:
What about your family?
Rifleman Tongue:
Don't know, sir!
Richard Sharpe:
Previous employment?
Rifleman Tongue:
Army, sir. Just army.
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Connections
Followed by
Sharpe's Sword (1995)
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Soundtracks
Over the Hills and Far Away
(uncredited)
Traditional
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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