Reviews (19)

A Good Beginning
Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe books are an enjoyable romp through the history of the Napoleonic Wars in the early nineteenth century. So are these films, adapted from the books by the BBC.

Sean Bean is Richard Sharpe, an officer "raised from the ranks" when he saves the life of Sir Arthur Wellesley, soon to be Lord Wellington (name sound familiar?). From there, I won't tell, because it's easy enough to get engrossed in these films.

Sharpe's Rifles is the first in the series of 14, so there is understandably a lot of set-up to be done. However, it is done with alacrity and is all very fun to watch. (Especially Brian Cox's role as Major Hogan - sheer enjoyment!) And most of it is historically true to the period, even if all the events pictured didn't happen (at least in the way the films show).

Like Horatio Hornblower? You'll Like Sharpe Too!
Sharpe's Rifles, (and the rest of the Sharpe series), is a more gritty "version" of Horatio Hornblower (series from A&E). No, Sharpe is in no way related to Horatio, just for your information, this takes place in the Army while Horatio's was at sea.) Actually made BEFORE the Hornblower series, this one will engage you and make you want to see them all! (I've seen 4 in the series now.)Although some reviews have commented badly about the video quality, I would rate it as very good. It is about a B+ in my book, above VCD or VHS quality. Set during the early 1800's, Sharpe is an enlisted man that becomes an officer after saving the life of a lord from England. This series details his adventures as an officer, following him through many battles, promotions and romances. It focuses on his inability to fit into the "officer corp," as most officer's from that period were wealthy men who bought their commissions. The ONLY problem I have had is figuring out the ORDER of the DVD's. They are technically "mini movies," so you can watch them in any order, but watching them in their true order is most enjoyable. Here's what I have so far just so you know, (in order:) Sharpe's Rifle, Sharpe's Eagle, Sharpe's Company, and I THINK the next one is Sharp's Enemy. Hint: look on the side binder of the DVD, their are little codes, these should go in numerical hierarchy, for example, "98579-D,98580-D,98598-D". These won't necessarly be in sequence, (i.e. 1,2,3,4,5) but more like 2,7,11,14 for example. So you should be able to figure it out when you get them. Bottom line: if you like mini-series like the early 80's "Shogun," and "Horatio Hornblower," you'll like this one too.

Great series of swashbuckling Napoleonic war hero
The Sharpe series is an adaptation from Bernard Cornwell's epic series follwing a neer-do-well British rifleman who, in the first episode, has the misfortune of saving the Duke of Wellington from the snatches of French curraseurs at the begining of the Penninsular Campaign. This is not common fare on American screens (we tend to only remember Andrew Jackson knocking down rows of readcoats at the Battle of New Orleans.) Sharpe is made an officer, which is an immediate two strikes against him in an army which expected its upper ranks to be "gentlemen" and not orphans left by prostitutes. Along the way, he confounds French spies, British deserters, and incredibly stupid senior officers.

Sean Bean is an ideal Sharpe and carries the series with his slit-faced scowl (he was the Irish bad-guy in "Patriot Games.") His Irish Sergeant ("ya ignorant paddy"), who tries to kill him in the first hour, becomes best of friends, and the pair are terrific.

The series is episodic, and is somewhat a throwback to the old 1960s "Combat" series with Vic Morrow. (I swear, these guys even carry their Baker rifles like WW2 Thompsons). It suffers from a necessarily small scale and a dearth of the now obligatory special effects. Nonethless, you won't for now find a better treatment of this period.

Bernard Cornwell's "Sharpe" novels are an obligatory (and easy) read for grognards interested in a break from the Hornblower or Maturin-Aubrey books.

Napoleonic Wars
terric....one of 14 DVDs made for televion in England.

Had the VHS for years
A friend of mine loaned me the whole 14 tape series back in 97 and I have loved it ever since. I am a military reenactor and loved the detail that they kept to with the uniforms and food and all the other stuff. For action and adventure as well as seeing the whole class warfare of the time period this is one of the best. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Disappointing to fans of the books
I am a big fan of Bernard Cornwell's series of Sharpe books. While I enjoy these DVDs, they do not measure up to the books. The most disappointing part of these DVDs are the battle scenes. Cornwell's books are centered on the battles. The battle's in these DVDs are small, low budget affairs with about 100 soldiers on each side, not the grand spectacle that is demanded.

Great Adaptation of the Book
I found the movie captured the imagination, feel, and spirit of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Low Budget - not like the books
Hi,
i was very disappointed by this DVD Series!
If you read the books forget the movies.
The battles are looking very unrealistic and there are
only around 100 soldiers.
The bridge in this movie is a cheap wood bridge, also there is no
second battle when the bridge after the bridge has been
destroyed.
Even the capture of the eagle is a scene of 2 minutes.

Another throroughly enjoyable grand adventure!
The wonderful cast and story and the great settings and battles combine again in a tale of grand adventure woven around the character of British officer Richard Sharpe.

Sean Bean, Asumpta Serna, Brian Cox and Daragh O'Malley create brilliantly alive characters that seem to belong to this time and place. The supporting players are all wonderful as well, particularly the very nasty villains. Hiss!

This DVD has a chapter menu and not much else but the picture and sound are really good and the movie itself is a treat. Enjoy!

Almost Flawless
The second in the venerable British ITV Sharpe series, and one of the best. Sean Bean is Richard Sharpe, a dashing, swashbuckling hero in the Napoleonic Wars. Or, as the UK television station UK Gold calls him, the "Nineteenth-Century James Bond".

This one finds our hero under the command of - let's face it - a jerk of a commander, the cowardly Sir Henry Simmerson. Events transpire that convince Sharpe he must capture an Imperial Eagle, the standard of Napoleon's army, and touched by "Boney" himself. Of course, there's no shortage of lovely ladies, either, with Theresa (played by Assumpta Serna) and Josefina (Katia Caballero), a lady in a compromised position whom Sharpe gallantly rescues.

The cast are quite enjoyable in this one, with Brian Cox as the conniving but genuninely nice Major Hogan, Daragh O'Malley as the loyal but fiery Sgt. Patrick Harper, and Michael Cochrane in a brilliant turn as the really, really, really *nasty* Henry Simmerson. And, of course, Sean Bean as Richard Sharpe - the quintessence of the swashbuckling but tender hero. Splendid stuff.

Mel Gibson may have to ask What Women Want, but Sean Bean apparently knows...Richard Sharpe! ... Read more

Description

A brilliant and influential pathologist, Anne believes that her friend's body is a forensic map that can lead to the killer. As she directs the full force of her expertise to the homicide investigation, revelations, clues and scraps of information lead her into a shadowy landscape of political and criminal intrigue. Someone doesn't want her involved. Anne Harriman is not a woman who is easily put off. ... Read more