Amazon.com

When it was first broadcast in 1975, there had never been a more lavishly produced science fiction TV series than Space: 1999, a British production whose budget for the first of its two seasons ran an astounding 3.25 million pounds. What keeps us fans enthralled after all these years has only partly to due with the first-rate production values, the plausibly constructed spaceship models, and expert special effects. The tone of the show is one of scientific dispassion, setting it apart from its TV sci-fi predecessors such as Star Trek, whose mood was more convivial. Our heroes here are in dire circumstances that require cool heads as a survival trait. Those circumstances: the 311 crew members of Moonbase Alpha experience a cataclysm that causes the moon to break away from Earth's orbit and travel endlessly through space, turning our heroes into unintentional explorers. No TV series has created a more palpable feel of hard science fiction than this. Of course the show is not without its detractors; it has been soundly lambasted for its many scientific errors. No less august a figure than Isaac Asimov criticized the show for its premise in the opening episode, "Breakaway," which had nuclear explosions on the "dark side of the moon" somehow propelling it out of Earth's orbit and flying through space without regard to any physical laws. In "Earthbound" (included in this set), aliens traveling to Earth state it will take them 75 years to reach their destination, making one wonder why it didn't take the moon that long to encounter the aliens. While these are serious complaints, fans tend to remember the scientific seriousness of the series and the sense of awe created by the many strange creatures and phenomena that the crew members encounter on their journey through the galaxy. In addition to "Breakaway" and "Earthbound," this set includes "Matter of Life and Death," "Black Sun," "Ring Around the Moon," and "Another Time, Another Place." --Jim Gay ... Read more

Reviews (61)

Possibly the worst written Anderson series
The four Gerry/Sylvia Anderson series with which I am familiar ("Thunderbirds", "Captain Scarlet", "UFO", and "Space 1999") all have much in common. At their best, they have high-spirited adventure, good character situations, campy humor, and gee-wiz sets, costumes, and gadgetry. At their worst, they have jaw dropping logical flaws, stock footage overused to the point of obvious inconsistency, and excruciatingly painful sci-babble.

"Space 1999" has some of the coolest sets and gadgetry, and it's hard not to fall in love with them. Despite critics to the contrary, I feel the acting is overall quite competent. However, the episodes tend to be so unflinchingly immersed in trademark Anderson sci-babble that at times I find them almost impossible to sit through. This is a classic and unforgivable example of a show trying to be more cerebral and failing miserably because it substitutes sheer, almost random BS for science and logic. By all means rent these discs, but don't bother to buy them.

WOW!
Where has this show been all my life? I just discovered it on DVD and I'm very excited about it! Great cast, excellent scripts, and striking FX! I will can't wait to see the other episodes of this series.

black sun on DVD
Black Sun is my all time favorite episode of Space 1999 and it looks wonderful on DVD. Space 1999 was a very unique Sci-Fi program and it remains largely misunderstood. One reviewer notes that only when facing certain death do the Alphans come alive, but that's the point: These are highly trained soldiers who must focus entirely on their duties in order to survive. They are trapped inside the Alpha base, which is described as both a barracks and a prison, and are always close to death.
Only under unusual circumstances can the Alphans let down their emotional guard. Black Sun is an unusual circumstance in which they are powerless to avoid destruction. Having exhausted all options, Bergman shares his inner thoughts and feelings with Koenig, who has tears in his eyes, and they make a final toast. It's a wonderful scene which demonstrates just why fans love this show so much.
Black Sun is a great episode of a great series.

YES!
THANKS A&E FOR PUTTING SPACE 1999 ON DVD!
THE FIRST EPISODE GETS THE WHOLE SHOW STARTED WITH THE MOON BLASTING OFF INTO SPACE AND I LOVED THE ZOMBIE LIKE ASTRONAUTS IN THIS EPISODE TOO! SET 1 ALSO HAS CHRISTOPHER LEE AND EPISODES LIKE 'BLACK SUN' WHICH SIMULATE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE ON QUALITY LSD. THINGS DRAG AT TIMES AND I WISH THE ZOMBIE LIKE ASTRONAUTS IN THE FIRST EPISODE ACTUALLY ATE THEIR VICTIMS, BUT OTHER THAN THAT I'M REAL HAPPY WITH THIS SET. GREAT SHOW!

really 'out there'
Critics have often not been kind to Space 1999. The program is often accused of having wooden actors because the performers are portraying military and scientific types in a tense situation that they deal with seriously. There's plenty of action, but again some critics fail to be impressed and write it off as just a display of special effects. The weirdness and mysteries presented in the show have often been viewed as bad story telling, and the Alphans have no mission other than to survive and that tends to be viewed as a lack of anything significant happening. Space 1999 is entertaining and exciting if seen as a hybrid of disaster movie and 2001. The moon is hurtling through space and things look grim for the people on it as they struggle for survival and encounter confusing 'far out' alien weirdness. They try to maintain their military and scientific bearing , but their true fear and confusion are visible below the surface and can be incredibly intense. These are great perfomances, the action is exciting, and the weirdness and mystery of it all is compelling. By season two, which I also enjoy, changes were made so that the program was more of a kid oriented adventure show and the Alphans had grown more used to their life on Alpha, but both the tense/trippy atmosphere of season one and the more jovial/comic book vibe of season two can make for entertaining viewing. ... Read more

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

Life seems to have settled down for British Officer Richard Sharpe as he enjoys a much-deserved rest at a French chateau with his new love, Lucille. However, the news of Napoleon's return from exile drives Sharpe back to the army. He is placed on the staff of the incompetent British ally, the Prince of Orange. Reunited with his Chosen Men, Sharpe abandons his inept commander and organizes the defense at the farm of La Haie Sainte. It is here he plays a key role in one of Britain's most famous victories, the Battle of Waterloo. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Interesting performance!
This was an interesting look at the Battle of Waterloo. It probably isn't presented in a fashion for those trying to understand the battle completely. Small skirmishing and parts of the battle are covered in a complicated format. This movie is probably for those who already have an understanding of the battle and want to get to different details. The fighting, cannonades and reenacting goes far in this movie. Sometimes I was puzzled by why the I felt that the director used the same scene several times such as cannon fire scenes or marching. From a grand scale this movie never portrayed large armies massing together which made me disappointed to see. This movie has great action, though is far too brief on the subject matter making Waterloo appear as a small skirmish.

Yes I do like the series
I like the series so I am not objective in viewing this a stand alone.

I am very plesed that the budgets have become much bigger as the series progressed. Far more extra's, more horses (some of them actually moving together as cavalry should) more variety of uniforms and nice settings.

I look at period/costume pieces for more than just a plot...I am looking for an escape in time...the Sharpe Series does this for me (as does the Hornblower's)

I am looking for a "feel"...for 90 minutes I want to believe I am in another world...I want the flavor of what it was like to live in another time, doing historic things.

Sharpe's Waterloo does a good job at making me feel I am actually there at the defence of La Haye Sainte...there is no examination of the whole battle...just the worm's eye view of the men who had to hold the gate...

So if you want the glamor and the big picture...maybe this isn't for you...however,if you want to pick up a rifle and help hold a key spot on the battlefield in a fighting that was desperate...then this is definitely for you.

Buy the DVD, grit your teeth, then read the book
I became enchanted by the Sharpe series by watching the series on TV. The chemistry between Sharpe (Sean Bean) and Harper(Daragh O'Malley), the struggle of the compentent Sharpe to get recognition and authority within the rigid class structure of the British Army (makes you wonder how the British army could have been so successful in the 19th century), the wary relationship between the Spanish and the British, the fantastic luck that keeps Sharpe and Harper alive, and the characterization of even temporary characters all presented against the background of the peninsular campaign during the Napoleonic wars, I found fascinating and moving. Sean Bean plays a much more compelling character here than in any of his villianous movie roles (e.g. Bond).

Of course, I looked forward eagerly to the release of the series on DVD.

In the meantime, I read all of the books. Since the completion of the television series, Bernard Cornwell has extended the story of
Sharpe both before the peninsula campaign and after Waterloo. The books are far richer than the TV series, but this doesn't detract from the series at all. The series generally stands on its own but the books add considerable depth, background, and context.

The last episode in the series, Sharpe's Waterloo, suffers more in comparison with the book, because the underlying events are familiar. 100 minutes is hardly engough time to explain the manner in which the battle of Waterloo unfolded and to develop the several other story threads involving Sharpe. Still, it is fine culmination to the series.

As in all of the DVDs in this series, the video quality is poor. This has been mentioned by other reviewers but needs some explanation. The color is good, the video has little noise, and there are no surprizing artifacts. The problem is image resolution. The DVD is encoded at 4.35Mbites/sec with almost no variation responding to changes in scene or motion. This is low: the Abyss, a high-quality DVD transfer, is encoded at 5.79Mbites/sec with occasional bursts at over 7Mbits/sec. The difference is dramtic. All of the Sharpe DVDs are fuzzy and lack detail; they appear to be out of focus. There are not enough pixels in the image to provide a good image on even a small TV screen. And forget about watching these on a large screen.

Still I recommend this series. Buy the DVDs, put your chair across the room, and enjoy. At the end you'll want more. That's the time to buy the books.

Sweet!
I thought that the performace by Sean Bean was brillient! He is the perfect actor to play sharpe. This was the best sharpe of them all! I thought that it was so funny when the man that was cheeting on sharpes wife peed his pants when sharpe was going to kill him.

Sharpe's End
Here we are, after thirteen hundred glorious minutes, at the last hundred minutes of the TV adventures of Richard Sharpe. After the events of "Sharpe's Justice", Sharpe has returned to Normandy to Lucille, as he promised, never to fight another battle. Except: it is now the summer of 1815 - Napoleon Bonaparte has left his exile on the island of Elba, marching across France and calling his loyal troops back to him. The Hundred Days have started, the final gasp of the Napoleonic Wars. Sharpe's greatest regret has been that he has never faced Boney in battle, so off he goes to war, his Chosen Men back at his side.

But Wellington places him on the staff of the Prince of Orange, young, arrogant and incompetent - his adulterous wife, Jane wants her lover, Rossendale, to kill him - and Napoleon has humbugged them all, quickly and efficiently splitting the Anglo-Dutch and Prussian armies apart, to destroy each individually. Will Sharpe survive this? Boney's attacking, the Prussians have still not arrived to give aid, and the fate of Europe will be decided in this little valley near a town called Waterloo...

Bernard Cornwell's original novel, "Waterloo: Sharpe's Final Adventure", was masterful - it managed to weave an exciting personal story for Sharpe and at the same time give an understanding of how this most famous of battles unfolded. Unfortunately, "Sharpe's Waterloo" doesn't really do that. I could follow it because I already knew how the battle progressed, but I would think the viewer who knows little about what happened that day wouldn't be able to follow the grand scheme of battle. As a result, we see Sharpe take part in various bits of the battle but never quite get why each is important.

On the other hand, one could argue that this shows the fog of war from the soldier's perspective - that the individual didn't really know how the big picture was forming up. This isn't particularly convincing to me, because I've seen it done magnificently in Ted Turner's production of "Gettysburg", and with a good script I don't see why it can't be done here.

Also, the same budgetary limitations that have plagued the series also show up here. One doesn't get the impression in the slightest that this was a battle than involved more than 300,000 men, all in all, on all sides. We never get much more than one regiment at a time on screen and the final advance of the Imperial Guard as a result winds up looking pretty wimpy. Given this was the grand finale, I had hoped they would splurge a bit, but sadly this was not the case.

On the positive side, the acting is cracking as usual and loose ends are (more or less) tied up. The battle at La Haye Sainte is particularly well done, even given the budgetary problems. Sharpe does a lot of swordplay and firing and realizes his dream of commanding a battalion. We see the deaths of beloved and hated characters, and Harper and Sharpe finally get their wish - to see Boney. The rest, as they say, is history, and you're going to have to watch it to find out what happens to our heroes. The transfer, like the latter few episodes, is surprisingly good compared to the earlier DVDs - one wishes heartily that they could have put some extras in, though.

About time for them to adapt "Sharpe's Devil" one of these days, I think... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sean Bean has yet to star in a major movie, but he proves his charisma in Bravo Two Zero, based on the true story of a British Special Forces unit behind enemy lines during the Gulf War. Bravo Two Zero begins with the men taking leave of their wives, children, and girlfriends, then takes us step by step through the procedures that lead to going to war: not simply the gathering of equipment and intelligence, but things like "proof of life" statements--something idiosyncratic that, if the soldiers are captured, will demonstrate that they are still alive. Sent to cut an information line, the squad loses radio contact, and the men are forced to abandon their gear and head for the border of Syria. From there things only get worse, and some viewers may find the going brutal. These realistic details give the movie its punch, but it's Bean who keeps you caring. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Made for TV is no excuse...
I remember seeing this movie a few years back when I was a teenager, I hadn't read much about the SAS or other elite forces around the world and was quite impressed by the story the movie had to tell. A few years later I started to gain an interest in reading and came across Bravo Two Zero the book by Andy Mcnab, I soon followed that with Chris Ryan's 'The one that got away' and various other books written by ex SAS troopers.

The resemblance the movie has with regard to the book is all superficial; there are obvious flaws in the movie (at one point it shows Chris Ryan walking down an Iraqi highway during daytime talking to himself).

Its obvious that the film was made with a seriously low budget, it shows dramatically in the sound quality, the dubbing is awful and in some points the actors speak and the words don't come for several seconds, the relationship between sounds and events on screen are sometimes many seconds apart.

But if you look past the movies short comings its still a representation of the tale of heroism and survival in extreme circumstances that gives Brits worldwide a warm feeling inside that while we have these boys on our side we'll always have something to be proud of.

I like this movie but I can only give it 2 Stars, it has to many faults to get anymore, but if your sentimental towards all things SAS, go for it.

A True Tale of Bravery Under Fire
I gather that this is a well know story in The UK, yet I, for one, didn't know anything about the mission until seeing the film on Showtime recently.

It is one compelling tale, and a highly realistic treatment of modern warfare, especially as practiced by special forces units in both the British and US military. It centers on a secret SAS mission early in Desert Storm. Sgt Andy McNab's unit is helicoptered in to the middle of nowhere in Norther Iraq, with orders to reconnoiter Scud Missile sites. It is supposed to be less than a 24 hr hour quick-in/quick-out assignment. Yet from almost the time they are dropped off, they lose radio contact with command.

Then things start to really deteriorate. They find themselves exposed in what is essentially open desert, badly outgunned, and in a country extremely hostile. Eventually, after inflicting an amaziing number of casualties on their enemy, all but one of the seven man unit is either captured, or killed.

What happens to McNab and his comrades in Iraqi custody makes the Turkish prison scenes in MIDNIGHT EXPRESS look like a trip to Club Med. It's by far the most graphic, brutal depiction of prisoner interrogation I've ever seen. It really verges on over the top at times, but one is reminded that this is a true story.

I don't know where this movie was made, but it's actually rather amazing that the filmmakers could get this large a cast of middle easterners to reenact some of these war and prison scenes. Rather like the logistical problems that faced the creators of BLACK HAWK DOWN, which was filmed in Morocco. I notice on IMDB that the country of origin is South Africa, but that only confuses me more. It's a BBC production, so they usually find a way, TRAFFIK, being a good example.

I've seen several reviewer complaints about the poor quality of the DVD transfer. I watched it on Cable, so can't comment on that. The print that I saw had no problems.

The cast of Bravo Two Zero is uniformly (no pun intended) excellent. Sean Bean, known to most American audiences for his role of Boromir in THE LORD OF THE RINGS, delivers as usual. I thought he was great in THE BIG EMPTY recently, as well. Tom Clegg, a veteran director of British Television, does a yeomanlike job of keeping it real here.

What struck me in the final alaysis is how McNab downplays his ordeal. He expresses no lasting bitterness towards his captor/torturers. He says they were doing their duty, as well, though perhaps enjoying it just a bit too much. He also jokes that he didn't immediately turn tree hugger after getting back home. He and his men were just being soldiers, and what soldiers they were/are! They should not be forgotten. This movie is unforgettable as well.

BEK

See this movie!!
If you want an argument against the Michael Moore types who are holwing about the Abu Garaib fiasco, this is it. It is a good military adventure to boot!! Check it out.

excellent acting
My heart was beating fast and even aching when I saw the men were bitterly and terribly tortured in the prison. the war is fierce but the men, they are so adorable. all professional and excellent soldiers!
Sean Bean's acting is excellent and keeps my eyes fixed!
Besides, this is not a typical hollywood war movie, no typical heroism. but successfully reflect truth of war and fighting and get the audience to think about the other side about war and killing!
strongly recommend!

Authentic and gritty.
What struck me most about this film was it's authenticity.

There were no Hollywood types of scenes with over-the-top valor and unrealistic feats of heroism.

Instead, we watch a group of the most professional soldiers in the world prepare for and execute a very difficult mission, and then we get to follow them when Mr. Murphy [deceives them].

Two things leapt out at me as soon as I saw the movie. One was the exceptional authenticity of the dialogue. Listening to them using terms like "MSR" and their desperate attempt to raise friendly force on their radio, I was impressed at the homework that these actors did. I also thought it was interesting that many of the 8 actors in the team had that swagger that comes from a combination of pride and from [carrying a 200 pound ruck on the back]. I have not looked into it, but some of those guys must have been in the service.

This is a gritty film that depicts reality with stellar accuracy. A must see for any war movie buff like me who is regularly disappointed by the awful drivel that Hollywood churns out (i.e. Tears of the Sun). I rank this up there with Black Hawk Down. ... Read more

Description

Sharpe is back in England with his reputation fully restored. He is ordered to the north where he is to command the local militia in a troubled town. It is here that Sharpe faces an agonizing decision - whether to side with the town's corrupt gentry or to support his own kind, the rough and tough of the world who are abused by their superiors. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

COOL
I love Sharpe and i love the books to so buy the dvd's and books

lov Strawberry

Sharpe's not the same
The formula for Sharpe's success is fairly straightforward: a good dose of military mayhem, strong (and often quirky) supporting characters, beautiful ladies (preferably a new one each episode), period locales and costumes, and - most importantly - a gorgeous hero, and you're almost guaranteed success. We all know Sharpe is brilliant as a swashbuckling Napoleonic soldier, out on the front lines (of the battlefield or the bedroom, it really doesn't matter...)

But 'Justice' tampers with this formula, and the film suffers for it. It's one of the two Sharpe films (made in the 1990s for British ITV) that is based on an original script, not a Cornwell novel.

Instead of his usual stomping-ground, the Peninsular Wars, Sharpe is at home in Yorkshire in 'Justice'. Here we have an innate problem: we feel most at home with Sharpe when he's out capturing Eagles or laying siege to French castles. Here, the military element is missing, so Sharpe must instead find enemies in the local robber-baron aristocracy (and his unprintable word of a wife, the harridan Jane, who ran off with a foppish aristocrat but unfortunately inherited a house right next door to where Sharpe is stationed).

Add into the mix the tired cliche of The Unknown Brother Whom One Grew Up With But Did Not Realise Was A Relative, and what the viewer is left with is a rather unsatisfying exploit in the British countryside. Sure, Sharpe does eventually save the day (after a great deal of emotional bandying-about), but the bravado and adrenaline of the Continent is missing, and it shows.

Sharpe meets reality head on
In this episode, Sharpe has some of the wind taken out of his sails and meets reality head on. For Sharpe and Harper it's not a hero's welcome ! Facing his past, Sharpe renews old friendships (and enemies) from his childhood, but the plot is NOT from one of Cornwell's novels, but was penned in part by John Tams (Rifleman Hagman) and it flows well. The characters are not too "cartoonish" and there is enough intrigue, skullduggery and romance to go around. There are some surprises and some predictable turns, but I was satisfied with the outcome.

You Can't Go Home Again...
1814 - the war is over, and Sharpe, like many other unemployed soldiers, goes back to England to seek work. He is assigned to Yorkshire, where he was born, as head of local yeomen serving a corrupt cotton mill baron that oppresses the workers. As Sharpe discovers things are not as black and white as they seem, which side will he choose? The people he left 20 years ago, or the establishment that's fed him for all those years?

This is an original story, not based on any of the novels, but it's interesting for a couple of reasons. One is that it firmly establishes that the TV Sharpe at least is born in Yorkshire - a given, because of Sean Bean's accent, but in the books he was supposed to be a Londoner. Another, more historical reason, is that it deals with the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars in England, which Cornwell never did get around to doing. It is true that the countryside was filled with many now jobless soldiers, and also true that the Industrial Revolution was starting to make its presence felt. While the labour movement may not have started this early, it's still an interesting look at the times. But is it Sharpe?

As much as I'm not fond of Sharpe's previous return to England (see my review of "Sharpe's Regiment"), I find myself liking this one, just to see Sharpe's backstory being developed. We find out more about how he grew up, his regret at not knowing who his mother was, and how uncomfortable Sharpe is with the war hero image that he's earned. As an added bonus, we get to see the incredibly beautiful and sexy Caroline Langrishe back as Lady Anne Camoyne, whose skills at political intrigue pull Sharpe out of the fire yet again. I'll even forgive them for adding the estranged Jane Sharpe to the mix, as the little minx actually shows a little fire of her own (the last scene with Sharpe here is particularly harsh).

If the series had ended here it would have been a fine coda (albeit with a few loose ends). But we know it doesn't, not when there's the biggest of battles to fight. So it becomes just a little filler in between "Revenge" and that little contretemps at Waterloo... ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Back to Business
After mucking about in England during "Sharpe's Regiment", Sharpe and Harper are back in Spain, as Wellington dithers about which way to go to invade France. Along comes the Maquerre, a French aristocrat loyal to the Royalist cause who claims that Bordeaux is ripe for revolt against Napoleon. Sharpe and the South Essex are sent with his new and very green commanding officer, Colonel Bamfylde to take the Maquerre's ancestral castle, a simple mission which quickly becomes more complicated than not. In the meantime, Sharpe's new bride, Jane Gibbons is sick with malaria, and may not survive to see Sharpe return - if he manages at all to do so.

Well, it's back to blowing things up and firing upon the French for old Sharpie, and we're all the better for it. The Chosen Men return, as do the wonderfully grotesque "Sweet" William Frederickson and Sharpe's own nemesis, the French spymaster Ducos. This is a competently told Sharpe, almost by the numbers, with the only thing of note being a completely useless and idiotic Colonel Bamfylde, who shouldn't be entrusted with the command of a toilet brush, let alone a regiment. They overplay this quite a bit and it got annoying - surely nobody could be that stupid. However, having read the military history of that period, I could almost believe it.

The subplot of Jane on the verge of death had me pretty bored. I know that the ladies love the romance bits, but even then, Jane is a pretty useless character, with no real personality. But then, that was the purpose she served in the books, until.... ah, well, no spoilers.

The print on this DVD is suprisingly clear, better than some of the others in fact. Not as crisp as we spoilt viewers demand these days, but above the rest. Perhaps the film stock was improving as the series went on.

A formulaic Sharpe, but we're getting closer to the good stuff now, and right at the end of the road waits a small Belgian town called Waterloo...

Sharpe's SIEGE... another GREAT adventure!
What can I say? I personally found this to be one of my favorite episodes of SHARPE'S. Its not quite as good as the first two episodes (RIFLES and EAGLE) but SIEGE is great all the same. If you're not familiar with the series, see try to see the other episodes first. If you are familiar with the series, try to see REGIMENT before watching SIEGE. A new character is introduced in that story, and she's important in this one.

This adventure sees our favorite British Riflemen on a mission to take a French castle, during the British invasion of France (1813). While battling the French, British forces must also battle fever, and political manipulations from all around. This episode also features appearances by some re-occuring characters (both friend and foe).

The video and audio quality are great, though there are no supplements on the disc, like the other SHARPES discs. Good acting, witty dialogue, and some of the best action scenes in the series make this a must own for fans of SHARPES! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Worth watching
If you've never seen any of the Sharpe films, you may want to view the previous chapters to avoid confusion. Sharpe runs into old enemies and new in this one. Obadiah Hakeswell,a name from Sharpe's past, (as portrayed by Pete Postlethwaite)almost steals the limelight from Sean Bean.(See SHARPE'S COMPANY for their first "reunion") Hakeswell kills Theresa, Sharpe's wife, near the end of the film, in a short but brutal scene. I for one would have liked to have seen Theresa give Hakeswell a royal arse kicking first, then have Obediah's treachery bring about her demise. (Maybe have Theresa poised for the kill, only to have Hakeswell blindside her) The plot is a tad silly at times, but it IS based on historical fact. Some of the characters come across a little hokey, but are patterned on real persona. And of course there is the menacing Major Duco, (admirably played by Feodore Atkins) who somehow is always foiled by Sharpe. If you like a little "skin" mixed with your swashbuckling, we have Elizabeth Hurley, (who plays a whore to a British Colonel) before she became Austin Power's love interest.

Excellent history, excellent story
Bernard Cornwell's stories of Richard Sharpe do a fantastic job of bringing Napoleonic warfare to the screen. As a special unattached officer serving Wellington, this is one of Sharpe's most exciting adventures. He has to effect the rescue of two hostages, the wives of both an English and French officer, defeat a desperate band of deserters led by his nemesis, Hakeswill, then fight off a French reconaissance force. He does it in the usual style -- a little bluff, a little swashbuckling, and some brilliant tactics. One of the most enjoyable scenes is the one in which a French general explains to the wife of one of his officers how Napoleonic combined arms tactics work using peas on a plate -- then Sharpe promptly undoes his tactics. This is one of the most compelling and exciting films of the entire series.

Bad Movie? No Way!!!
Let me just get to the point... Sharpe's Enemy is my favorite Sharpe movie in the series (and I have seen all of them).Quite frankly, I have no idea why the reviewer a couple reviews below could rate this series 1 star and say it has not a single good actor in it... Sean Bean is superb in the role of Richard Sharpe (and this holds true for all episodes). Pete Postlethwaite is my favorite villan as the monsterous Obediah Hakeswill and Daragh O'Malley is as steady as ever as Sharpe's dependable sergent. In short, Sharpe's Enemy has one of the best ensemble casts ever assembled!More importantly, the story, based on the superb Bernard Cornwell novel, is gripping and action packed. Quite frankly, TV does not get better than this... I have watched this TV movie tens of times and I still am thrilled every time.I highly recommend Sharpe's Enemy and the rest of the Sharpe's series. Also recommended if you like these kinds of movies is the Horatio Hornblower series. Very similar kinds of storylines (with equally good group acting), but at sea...

Major Sharpe Rules
I hate to use a title like this, but Richard Sharpe rules. Yet again he has to prove that he is just as capable an officer as the bought officers. Again he rises to the challenge. This is probably the best of the 4 DVD's that are released so far. There certainly was more action in this one (not that other's are lacking in the action department). The DVD is really good. The picture quality is good for being from a TV show and the sound is really good too. Again, I'll say that it would have been better had it been done in Dolby 5.1, but oh well. I'll take a good story and acting over effects any day.

Bad Movie
This is not a good movie !!!!!!!!! in fact, one of the worst movies I ever seen. I heard about this movie by a friend, thet sad it was a pretty good movie. But when I saw it , it was not good at all, not one good actor/actress

I can't recomend anyone to see this movie. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Not impressed
The acting was okay and the story concept (British Army version of Horatio Hornblower) was good. I had the following problems with this DVD:

1. The picture quality was not good.

2. The DVD had a very annoying introduction which is supposed to make us aware of what a wonderful fellow Sharpe is (complete with annoying song). I didn't mind listening to it once, but I was exasperated to find out that each time I started watching the movie, I had to sit through it all over again!

3. I didn't like Sharpe's love interest. In my opinion, a woman who uses her sex appeal to lure soldiers to their death by stabbing them is close to being a psychopath.

4. The conflict with the evil sergeant was a bit ludicrous. Somehow, I think that in the real Napoleonic Wars, annoying officers and sergeants fell victim to accidental shootings. After all, it's not like they'd be able to really investigate something like that. So Hakewell's continued existence got a little bit silly.

5. The combat scenes weren't very impressive. There wasn't enough noise and people just were not moving with a sense of purpose that being shot at gives you.

Oh, well.

Great series
I found the first three Shape's adventures to be wonderfully entertaining. My wife and I enjoyed them together. We were both wondering why this is considered the third episode when it should be the fourth - and there is no third. Somehow between Sharp's Eagle and Sharpe's Company our hero is married and has a child. There are glimpses of a wedding - and a duel - at the beginning of the episode but that is all there is: glimpses. But the individual episodes - though better viewed as a series - do stand alone and you can fill in what seems to be missing.

This episode brings Pete Postlethwaite as Sergeant Hakeswill into the series. He is flat out evil and certainly mad. Pete Postlethwaite is a first rate actor so it's interesting to see him in such an over-the-top role. I'm sure he loved it.

The English troops are storming a fortress. After blasting a breach in the wall they are cut down like stalks of wheat until Sharpe and his men take charge. Sharpe is anxious to get inside as his wife and the daughter he has never seen are inside and he knows the English soldiers will rape and pillage once victorious. Sure enough, the guys you were just rooting for now deserve to be swinging from a tree limb. And Sergeant Hawkswill shows up with designs on Sharp's wife.

I have noticed the scripts are not by the same writer so I am quite sure I will run into a clunker or two in the remaining shows in the series, but the first three were all great and as a whole I am equally sure this is going to be a fine series.

Another winning adventure in the Sharpe's series
Sharpe and his men are fighting not only the French in this tale but an evil and devious sergeant as well who has some history with Sharpe.

The battle and action scenes are top notch again and the characters are grand and heroic. The settings and costumes make it all very colorful and real.

The actors again do a great job with Sean Bean, Asumpta Serna and Daragh O'Malley giving us wonderful heroic performances. Special mention has to go to Pete Postlethwaite who delivers a scenery chewing performance as the evil Sergeant Hakeswill. Marvelous!

I enjoyed this one and have no complaints at all about the quality of the DVD picture or sound.

No Spark
I had already read a few of the books including 'Sharpe's Company' and was looking forward to the filmed version with great anticipation. Firstly, it must be said that these are not 'stand alone' films but episodes in a continuing saga. This being the first DVD of the series I had watched, the lack of character development was noticeable as all the main protagonists had already been introduced in earlier episodes. In fact there were characters (Major Hogan for example) who was not even referred to by name, so remained anonymous to those who had not read the books. It was a bit like watching a movie from halfway through. I was pleasantly surprised that most of the action was outdoors and not restricted to a studio set. The costumes seemed authentic and I felt that the storyline remained true to the book. The real siege at Badajoz actually took place in cold and rainy conditions but that is a minor quibble. I was also pleased that romance played only a small part in the film (as in the book). There was, however, something missing - a spark, some emotional intensity in the battle. It felt rather flat. Perhaps some appropriate music would have accentuated the mood. I did not get the feeling that I cared what happened to the characters. The sound was not wonderful. At times it was hard to understand the dialog. Subtitles would have been a welcome option. Good casting with both Sean Bean and Peter Postlethwaite being perfect in their roles. However, I thought that Daragh O'Malley was not (physically) big enough to play the giant Irishman Patrick Harper. Overall, I would recommend this film but would suggest that the series is watched from the beginning in order to get the most out of the stories.

Grrrr Marketing again
I love Sharpe films. On the whole they have good plot and fine acting. My only Gripe is,

When DVD's first came out here Sharpes Rifles was one of the first films avalible. Since then no more have been released untill now. But this means I have to order them from america

I say again Grrrrr ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Favourite Sharpe
This is probably my favourite Sharpe of all. It's because he is such a duck out of water in the halls of power. Sean Bean's acting is superb (as Bernard Cornwell says Sean Bean is Sharpe). I enjoy seeing Sharpe in his element in his native England when he returns to the backstreets and re-enlists. I highly recommend this series to anyone with any interest in history or anyone who enjoys good drama.

Missing men
1813 - Napoleon is on the verge of collapse as Wellington crosses over into France. However, the ranks of Sharpe's beloved South Essex are being decimated and there are no replacements being sent from back home. In an effort to discover what's going on, Sharpe and Harper go to London and discover a corrupt conspiracy headed by an old enemy and must go undercover, faking their deaths and re-enlisting in their own regiment to ferret it out.

This is an atypical Sharpe adventure - first off, no battles with the French (except for a few minutes at the end and beginning), no Chosen Men, and Sharpe has to deal with London army politics and intrigue, which he is woefully inequipped to do so. I'm not quite fond of Regiment as opposed to the other Sharpe adventures because Sharpe's haplessness is a far cry from the heroic figure I've expected him to cut after viewing the rest of the series. While there are a couple of hairy incidents, including a manhunt through the marshes, Sharpe generally stumbles his way through the story requiring assistance from allies gathered along the way to finally win the day.

Another reason I'm not particularly fond of Regiment is that it introduces the incredibly wet Jane Gibbons, whom Sharpe falls for. After strong spirited women like Helene Leroux and Teresa, it seems a stretch that Sharpe would fall for someone like Jane. But of course, this has to be done, as in the novels, because it sets up elements of Sharpe's personal story arc that will climax at Sharpe's Waterloo.

The transfer here is all right, but no fantastic - the last few episodes of the series to come though have a much better and clearer picture quality to them, so it's worth sticking it out for those.

All in all, watchable because of Sean Bean and Daragh O'Malley, but not one of the best. Wait for next time, when Sharpe and Harper get back to France to get back to business, and give the frogs a good beating.

Sean Bean is at it again
Another extraordinary member of the Sharpe's series. Sean Bean is a magnificent actor, and his talents make up for the age of this series. Pay no attention to the lack of advanced special effects, but to the beautiful screenplay and occasional breathtaking cinematography. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Bean in his element...
This series is amazing! A must for any true fan of Sean Bean. If you loved his portrayal of Boromir in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, be prepared for more daring-do and fantastic sword play! This series is set in Napoleonic times, and Bean plays a soldier in the British army. He's definitely earned his heartthrob status in the role of Richard Sharpe. But the secondary characters are nothing to scoff at, either. A great cast and a killer storyline, romance, betrayal, spies, intrigue and a few of the odd comical elements combine to produce a feature length episode you'll have to own. For history buffs, Bean fans, LOTR fans, or anyone interested in a marvelous storyline.

EXCITING STUFF
this is actually the first episode of Sharpe's that i've ever seen, and i found it lots of fun, filled with action and Sean Bean. The production quality is great. The casting is very good as well, especially in Sharpe's company. Must admit that i came to this series as a fan of Mr. Bean, and am in no way disappointed.

Sword of Honor
One of my favorite Sharpe books and definitely one of the better adaptations, even though the action is transferred from Salamanca to the ficitious(?) Villafranca and the romantic subplot involving a novice nun is best forgotten. Sharpe is assigned the task of tracking down Colonel Leroux, who is after Wellington's chief spy, El Mirador - a task complicated by the fact that Sharpe isn't even told who El Mirador is. Sharpe must also contend with an old enemy returned and a traitor to be uncovered, even as he is gravely wounded during the assault on Villafranca, and hovers between life and death...

Sharpe's Sword is great from beginning to end - never skipping a beat, even if there is that annoying nun in the background. Sharpe, Harper and the rest of the supporting cast are in fine form, and a top-notch set of guest stars including Jack Spears, Father Curtis and Colonel Berkeley round it off. Leroux is suitably slimy and deadly, and the climatic sword fight one of the more brutal I've seen in the series. All this, and Sir Henry Simmerson (from Sharpe's Company) too. And of course, Harper dipping into grail lore by forging Sharpe a new sword out of loyalty and love. A must-watch. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Quite good, but......
I found the sound quite irritating. The music was set a couple of notches above the dialog so that I had to keep adjusting it. The picture quality was good but every now and then the picture would jerk slightly during sequences involving fast movement. I enjoyed the story and thought the settings, etc. were close to being authentic but did feel that the mayhem was sanitized. I don't REALLY want to see severed limbs flying about or disembowelled horses when a group is hit by a cannon ball(as in reality)- but there should be SOME blood! Corpses on the ground should bear some marks of being slashed by a cavalryman - they should be lying in a pool of their own blood. As in the other episodes, I did not feel it accurately portrayed the horrors of warfare in those days - that the books did very well.

A Grittier Horatio!
If you like Horatio Hornblower, you need to get ALL of the Sharpe's videos on DVD. Sharpe is a grittier Horatio, set in the English Army during Napoleon's time. Almost a reluctant hero, you'll get hooked and want them ALL. Sharpe's Mission is no different, an engaging storyline and lots of action.

Over the Hills and Far Away
France, 1813. War hero Colonel Brand brings intelligence to Wellington - Fort Rocha, 30 miles behind French lines, contains the main powder and food supply for French General Calvert's forces. Brand and Sharpe are to lead a small force to blow it up, accompanied by Wellington's head of intelligence, Major Ross. Of course, nothing is as it seems, and soon the trap starts to close.

I liked this one - it's not based on any of Cornwell's novels but an original screenplay (Sharpe's Justice being the other one... and if you count the completely mutated 'adaptation' of Sharpe's Gold). The plot was, basically, not whodunit, but 'how would they figure it out?' Thankfully Sharpe was not as thick as he's been seeming lately and sorted it out quickly enough to turn the tables.

If there is a fault to this one, it's probably too many plotlines in the air intertwining. It got so that you had to have about 3 or 4 separate denouments at the end of the episode to tie things up. Still, things wind around nicely, and the bland "Sharpe's wife makes eyes at effiminate journalist/poet while Sharpe's away" subplot was made bearable by the presence of the inimitable Rifleman Harris, who is always a delight.

Transfer quality is pretty good too, like it was in Sharpe's Siege. Again, starting to get good again after lulls like Regiment and Siege.

Another Great SHARPE story!
Sharpe's Mission is another great episode of this popular British action adventure series. If you're not already familiar with Sharpe's I recommend seeing earlier videos first (start with "Sharpe's Rifles" and "Sharpe's Eagles". I strongly recommend the series in general, as it is action packed and has good character development.

If you ARE familiar with the series, you probably should watch "Sharpe's Regiment" and "Sharpe's Siege" before "Mission", as there is new cast member in this that are introduced in these episodes.

It's pretty difficult to describe the events in this story without spoiling it. Basically, Sharpe must root out a British officer who is collaborating with the French and putting his own personal glory above all else. There is also an side-story involving some would-be extra-marital shananigans.

Unlike most of the Sharpe's series, this story was NOT based on one of the books, but was an original screenplay. This is far from the best episode of Sharpe's but its still very good, with lots of battles and some good suspense.

The transfer/video quality is better than most of the other "Sharpe's" discs, and the audio is quite nice as well. Truly sad that no extras or bonus features are included on any of the series, but still a great show none the less. ... Read more

Description

Sean Bean returns as British Officer Richard Sharpe in the battle of his life. The war may be over for Britain and its allies, but Sharpe, set up by long-time enemy, Ducos, finds himself accused of stealing Napoleon's treasure. Abandoned by his wife and convicted of the crime, Sharpe is sent to prison. Breaking out of jail, Sharpe goes in search of truth and vengeance on a perilous journey across post-war France. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not bad, but it was bizarre in places
Pierre Ducos, like Count Dracula seems to be indestructable. He keeps comming back for more and Sharpe doesn't hesitate to dish it out.
Based on real incidents, SHARPE'S REVENGE has a good plot, but towards the end it becomes a bit bizarre. Some of the acting is really too funny to be taken seriously. The character of Gaston, personal aide to General Calvert reminds me more of a clown, than a trusted servant. He has a few more lines than in other Sharpe films. At times his performance is more like slap stick.
Curiously, riflemen Hagman and Harris are missing from this film.
Of course the war is over and they have been discharged, but the characters should have been involved in the story, even if they were not in the book.
Fredrickson gets to do a bit of slapstick type comedy of his own, but the character is still interesting. In the book, Sharpe and Fredrickson end their friendship over Lucille and it would have made for a more lively ending for the film. Harper actually has little to say in this one, which is a shame. Jane is more "bitchy" in this episode, but nothing like in JUSTICE. In either case, the character is allowed to have more emotion than just worshipping Sharpe. Still, these films are enjoyable and far better than other series.

The final confrontation between Sharpe and Ducos...
1814 - Toulouse falls, and with it, Napoleon is exiled to the island of Elba. The war, after nearly 20 years, is over. But Ducos, Napoleon's spymaster and sworn enemy of Richard Sharpe isn't done with him yet. After Sharpe fights a duel against his wife's wishes and Jane runs off to England in a huff, Ducos frames Sharpe for murder and the theft of the former Emperor's treasure. Now Sharpe must make his way across post-war France, aided by allies likely and unlikely, to clear his name and seek his revenge. Meanwhile, Jane is proving less than loyal to her husband...

A typical Ducos plot (although not as intricate as the one in "Sharpe's Honour"), this has the elements we've grown to know and love. Sharpe gets framed, escapes from death and has to regain his honour. Harper and Frederickson are superb in their acting and banter, and even though they replaced the actor who originally played General Calvert in "Siege" and "Mission", Calvert gets some of the best lines and plays off Sharpe superbly. Ignore Jane's little peccadiloes in London - they are way too painful to watch, and besides, Sharpe finally meets the love of the rest of his life in the Frenchwoman Lucille Mailliot - the scenes of Sharpe recuperating on her Normandy farm are beautifully brought out by Sean Bean. We've never seen Sharpe this happy, and from that alone we know he's found his place after all the wars are over.

I won't say much more because I recommend it heartily. A fine Sharpe adventure. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When it was first broadcast in 1975, there had never been a more lavishly produced science fiction TV series than Space: 1999, a British production whose budget for the first of its two seasons ran an astounding 3.25 million pounds. What keeps us fans enthralled after all these years has only partly to due with the first-rate production values, the plausibly constructed spaceship models, and expert special effects. The tone of the show is one of scientific dispassion, setting it apart from its TV sci-fi predecessors such as Star Trek, whose mood was more convivial. Our heroes here are in dire circumstances that require cool heads as a survival trait. Those circumstances: the 311 crew members of Moonbase Alpha experience a cataclysm that causes the moon to break away from Earth's orbit and travel endlessly through space, turning our heroes into unintentional explorers. No TV series has created a more palpable feel of hard science fiction than this. This set includes the episodes "Missing Link," "Guardian of Piri," "Force of Life," "Alpha Child," "The Last Sunset," and "Voyager's Return." --Jim Gay ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Sharpe as always
Sharpe's Battle is significant because of a couple of things - it is based on the only Bernard Cornwell Sharpe novel to be written while the series was in production, and in it Sharpe not only doesn't get the girl, he turns her down! It is 1813, and when Wellington is assigned the Spanish Royal Irish Guards, a motely bunch who have never fired a musket, he decides to rid himself of them by assigning them the hardest taskmaster he knows - Major Richard Sharpe. However, there are a couple of complications with Wellington's plan: one, Sharpe gets to actually *like* the Irish guards and wants to turn them into soldiers, and Sharpe is also the target of a vendetta by the villanous General Guy Loup, a Frenchman with a wolf fetish. Add to this mix the teetering marriage of Lord Kiely, the guards' commander, his sinister mistress Juanita, and reports of English atrocities in Ireland threatening to start a mutiny and you have the makings of a classic Sharpe adventure.

My main problem with the Sharpe TV series as a whole is that the budget doesn't really allow for the huge battles Cornwell describes. Where in the novel the action takes place in 1811 around the battle for Fuentes de Onoro, the TV version places it in a little town with no real consequence to the war at large. However, this is forgiveable because the acting and the dialogue is top notch. Even if the plot elements are predictable, you get a set of great characters, and even Lord Kiely is more three-dimensional than you initially give him credit for. And if you're a follower of the series, be prepared - one regular is going to bite the dust. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Sharp's Honor
I was disappointed in the screen play of this great book. I found the book much richer in story. In the book Sharp and the (golden Whore) had known each other in a biblical way from a previous book (Sharps Sword) wherein he also slaughters her evil brother(Colonel Leroux ). In the screen play they do not know each other at all. Also Harper did not accompany Sharp on this Mission to capture La Marquesa,this role was better served by the Spanish boy Angel.

Last the Movie did not do justice to the horror of 1700th century warfare and it made the battle of Vitoria look like a platoon Action instead of the Clash of whole Army groups that it was.

Sharpe's New Fan
I am hopelessly addicted to the Sharpe series. As a history major I find the story line fascinating, especially since it's a period they don't teach us much about here in the States. I was drawn in from scene one and haven't come up for air yet. Superb acting, witty dialogue, great battle scenes, lots of action/suspense, endearing characters, wonderful ensemble casts...and a dashing hero to boot! Need I go on? Throughout the series there are some great episodes and some not-so-great, but none truly bad (except perhaps Sharpe's Gold). Sean Bean absolutely *becomes* Richard Sharpe. He's fabulous (and not bad looking either). Daragh O'Malley is wonderful as Sharpe's best friend Harper. Any history fan, military fan, action fan, or swashbuckler fan needs to check out Sharpe. Be warned, though--you can't buy just one. Wonder why don't they show it on American TV? This series is truly a secret that needs to get out.

Good not great
Honour was dissapointing as it marked my switch to DVD from VHS in the series. I agree sound and picture quality are poor. This series is crying out for a repackaging in a DVD box set with digital quality and behind-the-scenes stuff. That said, Honour is fairly entertaining. A good plot and some decent action, along with the traditional kick-to-the-groin fight scenes. The climatic battle sees Sean Bean catapulted over over a downed cart, sword in hand. Great stuff that. The romance is downplayed a bit, with one exception ("He was at her all night sir") and the scene where Sharpe rescues the Marquesa from the band of nuns is hilarious. Worth the time. I'm looking forward to getting further into the series from this point on.

DVD or Video tape?
I was very disappointed in the DVD picture quality; it's on the same level as video tape. I was expecting a much sharper (no pun intended,) clearer transfer. The movie itself was 5 star. I can only hope the next Sharpe Collection transfered to DVD will move up to a DVD quality picture. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Set 3 of Space: 1999 contains six more first-season episodes from Thunderbirds creators Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's 1975 British series. The castaways on Moonbase Alpha, led by Commander John Koenig (Martin Landau), continue their drift through the universe, where they encounter fantastic planets, oddball races, and cataclysmic perils. In "Collision Course," Koenig must rely on "a thing called faith" when the moon seems headed for a too-close encounter with a massive planet. Unfortunately, the faith of his crew, including Chief Medical Officer Dr. Helena Russell (Landau's Mission: Impossible costar and then wife Barbara Bain) and Professor Victor Bergman (Barry Morse, who relentlessly pursued David Janssen on The Fugitive) is lacking, and they mutiny. In "Death