Over the decades, I’ve read and admired Bernard Cornwell’s SHARPE series. Richard Sharpe is a British soldier who rises through the ranks of the British Army from book to book because of his courage and bravery. He’s a natural warrior and manages (with Cornwell’s help) to be a participant in every important battle of the Napoleonic Wars. With Waterloo behind him, Sharpe retires. But, he’s drawn back into the Great Game when he accepts a mission in India. Here, an insurgency threatens British rule. Fans of Top Chef will recognize Padma Lakshmi as the beautiful (but treacherous) Madhuvanthi. Sean Bean brings just the right blend of grit and sophistication to these SHARPE adventures. I have them all on DVD (as well as the books), but these are two new episodes presented as part of MASTERPIECE CLASSIC on PBS. Check your local listings for times in your area.
Should have known that’s why you liked them so much – Padma!
😉
Padma is great eye-candy, Jeff!
Cool. I didn’t know they were still filming these. The books are GREAT!
I think the series took a couple years off, Evan. But now they’re back and I’m looking forward to watching them. Yes, the books are GREAT!
Well, not only are these two being offered to PBS stations as part of MASTERPIECE CLASSIC on most PBS stations on Sunday evening (though often repeated later) , as oppposed to M CONTEMPORARY and M MYSTERYY!–which starts up again as soon as Ms. Lakshmi leaves our screens (heaven forfend!)(the runors about the father of her current fetus are…well, a gent never tells), but also syndicator APT (American Public Television) currently offers to PBS and independent public stations the package of SHARPE telefilms that including the following, so watch out for these, as well (if you want to sample before your dvd purchase):
SHARPE SERIES I
Episode #101 – “Sharpe’s Rifles”
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 rally Spanish support. Surrounded by the French, he manages to pull off an inspiring propaganda coup in the small town of Torrecastro. Brian Cox also stars.
Episode #102 – “Sharpe’s Eagle”
Spain 1809 — Humiliated that Sir Henry Simmerson has allowed the French to make off with an English standard, Sharpe vows to make amends by capturing the most jealously guarded battlefield prize of them all — a French eagle emblem touched by the hand of Napoleon himself. Daragh O’Malley, Brian Cox and Daniel Craig also star.
SHARPE SERIES II
Episode #201 – “Sharpe’s Company”
Spain 1812 — The return of an old enemy leads to a series of catastrophes, beginning with the loss of Sharpe’s hard-earned captaincy, and culminating in a race against time to rescue his lover Teresa and their baby from the beleaguered city of Badajoz before Wellesley’s forces attack.
Episode #202 – “Sharpe’s Enemy”
Portugal 1812 — Obadiah Hakeswill returns to create more mischief, kidnapping a beautiful aristocrat and undermining the discipline of Wellesley’s men. Sharpe is dispatched to thwart his old foe, and manages to inflict a humiliating defeat on French forces in the process — but only at terrible personal loss to himself. Elizabeth Hurley and Pete Postlehwaite also star.
Episode #203 – “Sharpe’s Honour”
1813 — Richard Sharpe becomes a pawn in a French plan to retain control of Spain, and finds himself facing execution for murder he did not commit. Determined to regain his honor, he undertakes a dangerous quest to find the only person capable of clearing his name.
SHARPE SERIES III
Episode #301 – “Sharpe’s Gold”
Summer 1813 — Sharpe sets out to rescue British deserters captured by Spanish rebel El Casco. Along the way he crosses swords with a fellow officer and comes to the aid of a damsel in distress. Daragh O’Malley, Hugh Fraser and John Tams also star.
Episode #302 – “Sharpe’s Battle”
September 1813 — General Wellesley receives unwanted reinforcements from the King of Spain in the form of the Royal Irish Company and Sharpe is charged with transforming them into an effective fighting unit. When Kiely learns his wife is pregnant, he sends her away out of harm’s way, but she is captured.
Episode #303 – “Sharpe’s Sword”
The Franco-Spanish Frontier, 1813 — Dispatched by Munro to kill a French colonel, Sharpe is wounded in battle and hovers at death’s door — but Harper and a mute nun nurse him back to health. Once recovered, he sets out in search of vengeance with a newly forged sword. Daragh O’Malley also stars.
Thanks for all the detail, Todd! I own all the DVDs of Sharpe’s adventures and I recommend them. They stick fairly close to Bernard Cornwell’s books.