Sharpe
Sharpe is a British series of television dramas starring Sean Bean as Richard Sharpe, a fictional British soldier in the Napoleonic Wars. Sharpe is the hero of a number of novels by Bernard Cornwell; most, though not all, of the episodes are based on the books. Produced by Celtic Films and Picture Palace Films for the ITV network, the series was shot mainly in Turkey and the Crimea, although some filming was also done in England, Spain and Portugal. The series originally ran from 1993 to 1997. In 2004, as part of ITV's new set of drama, ITV announced that it intended to produce new episodes of Sharpe, in co-production with BBC America, loosely based on his time in India, with Sean Bean continuing his role as Sharpe. Sharpe's Challenge is a two-part adventure; part one premiered on ITV on 23 April 2006, with part two being shown the following night. With more gore than earlier episodes, the show was broadcast by BBC America in September 2006.
First Aired
1993-05-05
Status
Ended
Network
ITV1
Seasons
Season 1 Episodes
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E1. Sharpe's Rifles
Portugal 1809 - After saving the life of Sir Arthur Wellesley, Sgt Richard Sharpe is rewarded with the field commission of lieutenant. His first mission is to go behind enemy lines to Casa Antiga to locate a missing agent, James Rothschild, who carries a banker's draft for badly needed funds for the British army. Sharpe is given command of the 95th Rifles under Capt Murray, but soon finds that they are an undisciplined bunch of louts. Neither Murray nor the men of the Rifles are prepared to accept Sharpe's command as 'proper' officers are not raised from the ranks. Captain Murray is killed after a surprise French attack and Sharpe is left in sole command. The Chosen Men of the 95th attempt to mutiny, but the fight is stopped by the arrival of two Spanish allies, Major Blas Vivar and Comandante Teresa. They offer to lead Sharpe to Casa Antiga since they are heading to Torrecastro. Sharpe reluctantly agrees and en route he attempts to win over the Chosen Men. At Casa Antiga, there is no sig
★ 8.4
E2. Sharpe's Eagle
Spain 1809 - Colonel Sir Henry Simmerson arrives with his new regiment, the South Essex, and Wellesley decides to keep in Simmerson's good graces by arranging for the South Essex to blow up the bridge at Valdelacasa. Aware that Simmerson is incompetent, Wellesley orders Sharpe to see that the mission is a success in exchange for a promotion to captain.Simmerson is infuriated to learn that Sharpe is not a gentleman and was raised from the ranks by Wellesley. In revenge, Simmerson orders Sharpe to train his men to fire three rounds a minute by nightfall, or they will be flogged as punishement for failure. Sharpe and Harper manage to succeed, but this infuriates Simmerson even more. Sharpe has made an enemy.The following day, Simmerson orders Capt Lennox to lead the South Essex across the bridge in the attempt to chase away a small French patrol. However, a large French cavalry appears and the South Essex men panic and try to escape back across the bridge. As the French cavalry butcher the S
★ 8.4
Cast
Sean Bean
Richard Sharpe
Daragh O'Malley
Patrick Harper
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