CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Ella-May O'Brien Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Quiet Muffin This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

Freeman This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Leofwine_draca SHARPE'S RIFLES was the first of the made-for-television Sharpe movies made by Carlton for ITV way back in 1993. As a massive fan of author Bernard Cornwell, who created Sharpe back at the beginning of the 1980s, I had to get around to seeing these movies sooner or later, and I'm pleased to say that this one doesn't disappoint. First of all, though, it has to be said that the plot barely resembles the novel of the same title at all; there are extra characters, missing characters, new events, and crucially a lack of the major battle scenes that make the novels so stunning. The reason is the budget – or lack of it – but I'm pleased to say that despite the missing battles, this is still a decent product that belies its made-for-TV origins.The movie was filmed in Portugal and the Crimea and there are some stunning mountainous backdrops that really add authenticity to the proceedings. The production is excellently written with some great dialogue. It starts off feeling a little faltering and you can tell that everybody was new to it, but by halfway through things really hit their stride and it never disappoints after this point. Sean Bean soon makes the role his own, doing such a good job that nobody else could ever come close to playing Sharpe the way he does. The various characters of the close-knit riflemen are all good, with Daragh O'Malley particularly effective as Harper. I also liked David Troughton's performance as Sir Arthur Wellesley, and it's a shame he didn't continue to play this role throughout the series.While the 'talky' scenes and the plot exposition are all adequate, where this series really excels is in the action – and it proves you don't need a big budget to shoot good battles. A shoot-out in a ruined village is a highlight, as is the action-packed finale, which involves the storming of a town occupied by the French. Plenty of grittiness and bloodshed adds to the realism of the film and even the romance – involving a female spy who wasn't in the books, played by Assumpta Serna – doesn't get in the way too much. The highlight of the production is definitely the bit where Harper brings down a mounted Frenchman, using his rifle in a rather novel way. A great touch to a well-written book adaptation.

satori9512011 A fairly entertaining series, but with a too little economic backing to carry it off properly, the events of 1808 was on such a scale that a realistic recreation is difficult. However when a force that consisted of 30 000 or 120 000 men is attempted recreated with 30 to 60 men some of the sense of it all loses its meaning. The only way to hide such inadequacies is to have a clever and inventive camera man sadly lacking here which gives the production a veneer of amateurishness it could well be without. Another problem is that the extras they have used are non-military ergo they don't know how to march, or fight, or shoot and all the battle scenes look thoroughly fake. That said the main characters in the series for most parts do a passable job; with a few exceptions who are about as involved as cheddar cheese. Sean Bean is an actor who I before this series, never have liked in any role he has played, but the role of Sharp suits him and he is believable in the role. As for the historical aspect to this series it is interesting to observe how liberal the English are with historical events, while simultaneously complaining over the Americans and Hollywood for falsifying history. I read the books the series is based on some years back and had an impression that they were more true to the actual events than this TV series, then again I might be suffering from a laps of amnesia. I cannot speak for the part of the series that unfolds itself in India but to anyone versed in European history it is a known fact that the French pulled out of Spain due to the troubles the Spanish guerrilla was causing them. The relentless fighting against an enemy they could not see was bleeding the French ranks and draining their resources, demoralizing their troops and when Napoleon in 1813 suffered great losses in Russia the French began pulling out their troops from Spain as they were needed for the defense of France against the advancing Russians. Since then the English have told us that they kicked the French out of Spain and in this series, even giving the impression that it was them, not the Russians; who marched into Paris having defeated Napoleon in 1814. Secondly, in the first part of this series the French intelligence service is depicted as completely inept compared to the English one. This is perhaps even more preposterous than taking credit for what the Russians and Spanish did, for French intelligence services was led by a man called Fouché and he had developed the most effective intelligence agency Europe had seen up till then, compared to this the English were amateurs (to use a French word, of which reconnoiter is another one). The third preposterous allegation from the series is that it was Wellington who single handed beat Napoleon at Waterloo. We have heard this lie so often now from the British that the man who really beat Naploeon at Wateroloo and ended his reign has almost been forgotten. But his name was Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, count of Wahlstat. Unlike Wellington, Blücher had met Napoleon in the field before, at Jena and was for a long time the only one who got away from it with some honour intact. The 50 000 strong Prussian troops (the English had 30 000)was what got Wellington's boots out of the fire rescuing him from a battle he was losing. it was them who captured Napoleon and was the first to take Paris. As a reward the English has pretended he was not there at best he is a foot note. In spite of this the Series is as I said at the start an enjoyable little fairy-tale just like Harry Potter and well worth watching, for most parts it is better than the mindless rubbish one usually is served on TV; but like Harry Potter, not to be taken too serious - if you are looking for historical accuracy from the English I would rather suggest Black Adder.

bowtro This is one of 14 "Sharpe" movie series. They are all very good. They are never dull. Mixes enough historical data to create interest. Costumes and equipment authentic. His struggle to overcome his lowly birth and better himself through military service achievement is heart rending. Gen Sir Wellesly who commissioned him from a Sgt. believes in him and backs him subtly. His faithful friend Sgt.Harper shares many adventure and helps Lt.Sharpe through many escapades. Assumpta Serena as his love interest, Teresa, and later wife is very well played. Sharpe has to constantly overcome hardship, discriminations and problems his peers do not. He is constantly being ragged on by his superiors and fellow officers who are much less brave. Sharpe has integrity and grit which is a big help to him. But he always wins the girl and overcomes by sheer determination and street smarts. One of the best TV series ever.

Jack OntheNet Comparing to Hornblower, Sharpe is a disappointment. Plot is too flawed, performance is too modern, direction is too weak. However, after reading former comments here I understand the plot of this series is dramatically altered from that of the original book. So maybe I'll still give a shot on the book someday.What amazed me is that, two years after last episode of Sharpe, there is Bravo Two Zero (1999), also directed by Tom Clegg and starring Sean Bean. And that one is PERFECT, just like Hornblower, my all-time favorite.I still remember one IMDb user's comment on Hornblower, which says, "When British decide to do something well, they do it extremely well." I think everybody agree with it after watching Hornblower. But after watching Sharpe and Bravo Two Zero, I'd say, "When British decide to do something well, they ehh... hopefully do it extremely well."