When Sharpe and Harper are being hunted through the marsh by Girdwood's militiamen, a horse appears to stamp on Sharpe's head as it rides directly over him. According to Sean Bean, the horse slipped on the muddy ground and he really was struck, but kept going until the shot was finished. The blow was hard enough to leave him with a black eye and neck pain for some time afterward.
After "Sharpe's Battle", this the movie that puts a major focus on the role of Irish soldiers in the English army. Also, the recurring theme of corruption in the army is most fully explored here.
Differences from the original novel:
- Isabella (Ramona in the TV movies) accompanies Sharpe and Harper to England, along with Lieutenant Harry Price and Captain Peter d'Alembord
- A young prostitute warns Sharpe about his impending assassins while in St. Giles Rookery
- The cadet fatigues are light blue with grey trousers instead of all white
- Sergeant Lynch beats Charlie Weller's dog to death instead of shooting it.
- Colonel Girdwood and his cronies pursue Harper in the dark of the night
- Jane Gibbons meets with Sharpe before the presentation in front of the Prince Regent
- Sharpe is directly arrested after interrupting the presentation
- The enmity between Sharpe and Girdwood is slightly expanded near the end
This episode takes place in 1813.
The recruiting officer scene is an allusion to the 1706 play "The Recruiting Officer" by George Farquhar. It was for this play that Farquhar wrote the original lyrics for the version of 'Over the Hills and Far Away' that was adapted by John Tams as the theme for "Sharpe".
One of the many adjustments was the monarch - originally, 'Queen Ann (or: The Queen) commands and we obey', and now it's 'King George commands and we obey'. Technically, also not longer true then, because George III. was already certifiably mad at the time and his son reigning in his stead (Hence, the Prince Regent).