Sharpe's Rifles (1993) (TV)

Director:

Tom Clegg

Writers:

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

Release Date:

5 May 1993 (UK)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | History | War

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Portugal | 1800s | Napoleonic Wars | Fictional Biography | Military

Cast

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

Runtime:

USA:102 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | Spanish | French | Yiddish | Portuguese

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | Singapore:NC-16 | Finland:K-11 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Crimea, Ukraine

Company:

Celtic Films Entertainment

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.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): 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.

Quotes:

Rifleman Hagman: I find nothing works better than paraffin oil, and best brown paper!

Movie Connections:

Followed by Sharpe's Enemy (1994) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Here's Adieu to All Judges and Juries

From a time when warfare looked silly and didn't make very much sense comes one of the best television shows ever...

You like action? Adventure? War? British people? Silly hats? Muskets? Explosions? People who shoot things? Fencing? WWF style brawling? Sharpe's Rifles has them all. The first episode in the Sharpe series sets the tone for the epic to come- high adventure. Brilliantly written by Eoghan Harris, the best of the Sharpe writers, and equally brilliantly executed by Sean Bean and the rest of the talented cast. My only complaint is with the music- the electric guitar that pops up throughout the Sharpe series seems especially loud and annoying. However, this is easily overlooked in light of the near perfect nature of the rest of the show. Get off your computer! Watch this show! Now!