Sharpe's Rifles 

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

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Sean Bean	...	Lt. Richard Sharpe
Brian Cox	...	Maj. Hogan
Daragh O'Malley	...	Sgt. Patrick Harper
Assumpta Serna	...	Teresa Moreno
David Troughton	...	Sir Arthur Wellesley
Simón Andreu	...	Maj. Vivar
Michael Mears	...	Francis Cooper
John Tams	...	Daniel Hagman
Jason Salkey	...	Harris
Paul Trussell	...	Isiah Tongue
Lyndon Davies	...	Ben Perkins
Julian Fellowes	...	Major Dunnett
Tim Bentinck	...	Captain Murray
Richard Ireson	...	Sgt. Williams
Martin Jacobs	...	Maj. William 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:

Adventure

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Did You Know?

Trivia

In one scene, Vivar is seen to light a cigar with what appears to be a pistol with no barrel. This is, in fact, a flintlock fire-starter - pretty much exactly a pistol grip and lock with no barrel, designed to ignite tinder by means of the shower of sparks created when the flint in the lock strikes the steel frizzen.

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Goofs

In the abandoned cottage, Harper bends and reacts to Sharpe's kick to his groin a split second before Sharpe's foot actually connects, even though Harper's face is turned away looking behind him.

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Quotes

Rifleman Hagman: Daniel Hagman, poacher.
Richard Sharpe: You a good shot, then, Hagman?
Rifleman Hagman: Aye, I can shoot, sir.
Richard Sharpe: Go on, then. Show me.
[He pulls a beret out of Hagman's belt, and tosses it into the air. Hagman fires his rifle. Sharpe picks up the beret and shows him the hole in it]
Richard Sharpe: You've defaced the King's uniform, Hagman. I could put you up on a charge for that.

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Connections

Followed by Sharpe: Sharpe's Siege (1996)

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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

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