As a self-confessed history buff, I have always loved the classic British television series, Sharpe, based on a series of novels by Bernard Cornwell. Sharpe tells the story of Richard Sharpe, a rifleman in the 95^th Rifles, South Essex regiment (a fictional regiment of the British Army) who rises through the ranks and embarks on a series of missions during the Napoleonic Wars and in India after the Napoleonic Wars. Sharpe is promoted to the rank of lieutenant after saving Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington from an attack by French cavalry in the first episode of the series. He is assigned to lead a band of “chosen men” who include Sargeant Patrick Harper, Daniel Hagman, and Harris. The series demonstrates brilliant acting and an attention to detail in terms of production design that is difficult to beat.

Sean Bean’s Sharpe is certainly not your typical nineteenth-century British officer. Raised from the ranks, he is hardy, tough and not afraid to stand up to his superiors. What Sharpe lacks in elegance and etiquette, he makes up for in sheer grit. Bean, who took over the role after Paul McGann dropped out due to injury, made the part his own giving Sharpe the feel of a low-born commoner. There is a natural chemistry which builds between Sharpe and the main riflemen that we follow through the series and it is clear to see that Sharpe, though unpopular at first, becomes well-loved by his men. He is respected too by Wellington (played by David Troughton and Hugh Fraser), who always remembers that he owes Sharpe a great debt for saving his life. A fair share of hardship befalls Sharpe throughout the series but his resilience enables him to pick himself up and carry out his tasks in a dutiful manner.

Sharpe’s “chosen men” are a diverse bunch of characters. As Sharpe’s right-hand man, Harper (played by Daragh O’Malley) proves to be just as brave and resourceful as Sharpe, often aiding Sharpe in finding unlikely solutions to the predicaments they face. Daniel Hagman (played by John Tams, who also acts as composer for the series alongside Dominic Muldowney) is a keen musician and is regularly seen singing in the series; his songs help boost morale among the troops in difficult circumstances. Hagman is also an excellent shot whose accuracy is unrivalled. Harris, played by Jason Salkey, is literate and a skilled linguist, often acting as interpreter for Sharpe. O’Malley, Tams and Salkey are, like Bean, excellent in the action scenes, contributing to the realism; during filming, they were taught how to use weapons of the era and are seen doing so on screen.

Wellington’s various spymasters or military intelligence chiefs also prove to be useful supporters of Sharpe, as do Teresa (a Spanish partisan who falls in love with Sharpe) and Frederickson (a captain of the 60^th Rifles, who assists Sharpe on numerous occasions). Hogan (played by Brian Cox) and Munro (played by Hugh Ross) are a source of wit. Munro is a flamboyant Scot who plays the bagpipes; his character starkly contrasts with that of Nairn (played by Michael Byrne), who is stern and often quick to scold Sharpe. Teresa (played by Assumpta Serna) is cunning and headstrong; an experienced guerrilla who proves very useful in supplying aid and information about the enemy. Philip Whitchurch gloriously depicts the eccentric Captain Frederickson who, despite his penchant for scaring the French with his physical abnormalities, is kind and loyal.

Sharpe faces many charismatic antagonists, some of whom feature in a single episode while others appear in multiple episodes. Sir Henry Simmerson (played by Michael Cochrane) is an arrogant and mean-spirited colonel who holds a long-term grudge against Richard after he witnesses Simmerson lose the King’s colours. Major Ducos (played by Féodor Atkine) is Napoleon’s sinister spymaster playing cat-and-mouse with the British.  The villain that really gets under Sharpe’s skin, however, is Obadiah Hakeswill (played by Pete Postlethwaite), a cruel sargeant who goes out of his way to harass Sharpe at every opportunity. Cochrane, Atkine and Postlethwaite shine in their roles, bringing menace to all their scenes. Other standout opponents who appear only in a single episode are: Colonel Brand (played by Mark Strong), Brigadier General Loup (played by Oliver Cotton), Colonel Leroux (played by Patrick Fierry) and William Dodd (played by Toby Stephens). All ruthless and sadistic, they make formidable enemies.

Sharpe is in my estimation one of the best television series Britain has ever produced and shall always be a firm favourite of mine. Every time I watch an episode, it never disappoints, always providing satisfaction through fantastic storylines, colourful characters and superb visuals. The series draws the viewer into the world of the British Army in the early nineteenth-century, painting a remarkably vivid picture of life as a soldier at the time. Imbued with a real sense of historical accuracy, this series teaches us about the physical and mental challenges faced on a day-to-day basis by the men who fought two centuries ago. It is an incredibly ambitious and impressive work that would satisfy anyone with an interest in the past and compelling feature-length TV drama.

© Daniel Cummings 2023