Sharpe (TV Series) Sharpe's Challenge (2006) User Reviews

Sharp Practices!

[Stargazer59 · 8/10 · 24 April 2006]

Sean Bean returned to the role of Richard Sharpe, after a nine year absence from the small screen, this weekend on ITV1 in the two-part story "Sharpe's Challenge". Based on three of Bernard Cornwell's novels, this adventure is set in Jaipur one year on from Napoleon's demise at the Battle of Waterloo. It sees Sean reunited with director Tom Clegg and sparring partner Daragh O'Malley, as Sergeant Patrick Harper, whom he sets out to find on a mission to India, but on the pretext of looking for General Burroughs' daughter Celia who has been kidnapped and is held hostage against attack at Khande Rao's fort.

Sharpe's opposition on this occasion is a rogue East India Company officer, Colonel William Dodd, played by Toby Stephens, able to put his fencing skills to good use again after his appearance as the villain Gustav Graves in the James Bond movie "Die Another Day"! The real power behind young maharajah Khande Rao, Dodd is aided and abetted against the English by the late maharajah's favourite consort, Madhuvanthi, played by Salman Rushdie's wife Padma Lakshmi. She tries to seduce Sharpe but, naturally, he's having none of it! And, not surprisingly, Sharpe has unfinished business with the Colonel! Dodd lays a trap for the troops of the East India Company who are coerced by General Sir Henry Simmerson into attacking the fort, regardless of the consequences to the indisposed General's daughter, and thus the stage is set for the final battle...

Watching the "Behind the Scenes" documentary after the concluding episode, on ITV3, it's a wonder the programme ever got made! The number of extras, and costumes required for them, hand-built rifles and cannons, learning how to become a soldier in ten days flat, not to mention Sean and Toby going down with Delhi belly both on the same day! But the finished product was a treat with a terrific cliffhanger at the end of episode one which wasn't immediately spoiled in the next time trailer! Having infiltrated the enemy, and unrecognised by Dodd, Sharpe has to prove his new found loyalty to the young maharajah when he is ordered by the Colonel to shoot his best friend...

If you missed it, and want to find out whether or not Harper survives, after all Sharpe is a good shot, the best, then the DVD is out at the beginning of May! It's worth seeing just for Peter-Hugo Daly's performance as Sergeant Shadrach Bickerstaff, a constant thorn in Sharpe's side, who steals every scene he is in with consummate ease!

A very watchable amalgamation

[howies001 · 8/10 · 23 June 2006]

Reminiscent of the film "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World", this feature takes aspects of several of the earlier Sharpe novels and combines them to create a new plot/storyline. Fine acting by both the main and supporting casts (Toby Stephens is perfect as Dodd), with sets and effects that show a more lavish budget than previously-issued Sharpe installments, this movie may puzzle and maybe irritate devoted readers of the Sharpe novels. At the same time, it addresses the earlier (chronologically in the series, if not in order of publishing) exploits of Private/Sergeant/Lieutenant Sharpe during the Indian campaigns.

Another first-rate, rousing adventure for Richard Sharpe. If he loses in this one, he'll have a nail pounded into his head

[Terrell-4 · 8/10 · 22 February 2008]

The war's been over for two years. Up-from-the-ranks retired colonel Richard Sharpe (Sean Bean) is, more or less happily, making a living as a farmer. And then he's summoned to the Duke of Wellington's home in London. There, the Duke explains, a crisis is arising in India on the frontier between the British and the Mahratta princes. British agents have disappeared. Reports of armed rebellion have surfaced. The Duke wants Sharpe to find out what is happening and, if possible, put a stop to it. Sharpe responds as any experienced ex-soldier would when called back to the colors...he declines. Then he learns the last agent to go missing was his old comrade, Patrick Harper (Daragh O'Malley). When we next see Sharpe he's making his way through dusty Indian villages towards the encampment of a small British army not far from the fortress of the Rajah of Ferraghur. Happily, he encounters Harper, who had gone undercover in an attempt to gain information. From what we know and have seen, Sharpe's task will be extremely dangerous and fraught with risk. He will meet an enemy worthy of him, an English traitor named William Dodd (Toby Stephens), arrogant, vicious and supremely capable. A deserted lieutenant from the British-led Indian Army, Dodd is now styled a general who is leading the forces of the young Rajah. When Sharpe and Harper pretend to be deserters themselves in order to join the Rajah's army, Sharpe will also encounter the beautiful and deadly Madhuvanthi (Padma Lakshmi), regent and elder sister of the Rajah. The Rajah, the regent and Dodd all approve of the old ways when dealing with traitors, captured soldiers, thieves and other malefactors. They have nails hammered into the skulls of the unfortunate captives.

Don't hit the fast-forward button or you'll regret it. This turns out to be one of Sharpe's best adventures. This also may be Sharpe's most challenging assignment, with the fate of the Empire, as well as the honor and life of a general's daughter, hanging in the balance. At 138 minutes it has plenty of time and a plentiful budget to set up the background and create many scenes with lots of action. There's a big cast of extras. And there's a great battle where hundreds of soldiers scramble to gain entrance to the rajah's fortress through a towering wall.

Sharpe's adventures, based on the novels by Bernard Cornwell, began on television in 1993 with Sharpe's Rifles. The last was Sharpe's Waterloo in 1997. Sean Bean has aged well in the interim. If anything, he looks even tougher. Daragh O'Malley may be a bit heavier but he still looks capable of clearing out a bar on Friday night. From the casts of those old programs we have a brief moment with Hugh Frazier, again playing Wellington. Sharpe also encounters again that pompous, cowardly aristocrat, General Sir Henry Simmerson, still played with lip- smacking relish by Michael Cochrane. Simmerson thinks Sharpe is a jumped-up peasant who needs to be put in his place, and tries hard to do so. I still miss the late Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswell, leering and repellent, who liked to talk into his hat when not trying to shoot Sharpe in the back. He was played with verve by Pete Postlethwaite. His replacement in Sharpe's Challenge, played by Peter-Hugo Daly, is Sergeant Shadrach Bickerstaff. Bickerstaff is a mouth breather, a leering bully, a resentful opportunist, a man who probably last saw a bar of soap when he last brushed his rotting teeth.

The prize for villainy, however, goes to Toby Stephens as Dodd. He's not so much unhinged as he is utterly logical when it comes to protecting his self-interest and justifying his resentments. Plus, of course, killing makes him feel good. He's a man to avoid, especially if he says he likes you. Stephens is a first-rate actor. He can do villains so well I hope he doesn't do too many more of them. He'll find himself typecast. For a much more subtle and complex take on villainy, watch him as Kim Philby in Cambridge Spies.

Sharpe's Challenge is a first-rate rouser. It's a welcome addition to the Sharpe set.

"Though kings and tyrants come and go / A soldier's life is all I know

I'll live to fight another day / Over the hills and far away."

An excellent story - but it might confuse the bookworms

[mattnewham · 9/10 · 27 September 2006]

It should be said that this will make for tougher viewing by those who have read Cornwell's books than those who have not. For those of you who haven't (and you're missing out) than you will see an excellent story with a higher budget than the original movies and fine acting by the entire cast, in particular Sean Bean, Daragh O'Malley, Michael Cochrane and Toby Stephens. For those of you who have read the books, here is the basic plot - I am doing my best to remain vague so as not to spoil the story: the plot opens with almost a word for word copy of the opening of Sharpe's Triumph (the second Sharpe book set in India). Suddenly the viewer (and Sharpe) are plunged forward thirteen years and Sharpe is sent by Wellington on a mission similar to that which he is sent to in Sharpe's Devil (the final book chronologically). Watching it a second time, readers will realise that while most of the action in India is true to the book, it picks events almost at random from Sharpe's Tiger, Sharpe's Triumph and Sharpe's Fortress (the three books set in India), while simultaneously moving them from the period of 1799-1803 to 1817. In order to compensate for heroes and villains parted (or never met) during previous movies, Hakeswill is replaced by Bickerstaff (brilliantly played by Peter-Hugo Daly), Morris is replaced by Simmerson (Michael Cochrane is splendid as the gutless git), Lawford, McCandless, and (if you're picky) Blas Vivar are all replaced by Harper, and the Sultan is replaced by his son. Despite the changes in setting, the events in the movie are still very close to the book - all credit to the authors, and the acting is so professional that the characters are entirely believable.

'Say Hello to Mister Nock'

[dr_strangelove_69 · 10/10 · 26 April 2006]

Just one word to sum up this fantastic new dose of Sharpe and that is 'SU-BLOODY-PERB'.

It's been ten years since we saw Richard beat the Imperial Guard on the bloody field of Waterloo, and, like many of the life long fans, I believed that was the last time we would see Sharpe on screen. Of course, there was always a rumour that 'Tiger' would be made into a feature film but that hope died after a few years.

Now, we have been treated to an extra long two parter that was excellent in every aspect. A plentiful amount of tension, action and valour. Beano and Daragh were top hold as usual, excellent to see the old faces such as fopp Simmerson, Ramona and Wellington back on the screen.

The new characters were utterly splendid, Stephens as Dodd was one of the most evil villains ever to face Sharpe and Peter Hugo-Daly as Sgt Bickerstaff was a vile sight, yet a great performance. Even prompting Bean to jokingly remark in the 'making of' feature that he looked 'F***ing 'orrible'.

Not enough time to list all of the supporting cast, but none were a disappointment.

In conclusion, one of the best Sharpes to date and I would not be wrong in stating that the series as a whole is THE best historical drama to grace British television.

To any of the Producers that might browse these boards, I hope that another two movies are made to give a complete feel to the saga. Plus if you want any extras who want no pay, there's a huge fan base out there plus plenty of ready-trained re-enactors.

As you can tell, loved the whole show. Can't wait for the DVD on May 1st.

Sharpe returns with a swagger

[Corky1984 · 6 May 2006]

After 9 years away, ITV have revived Sharpe and I have to admit that it was even better than I expected. It made sense to set it in India a few years on from the old films, rather than pretending everyone didn't die in the Peninsula and bringing them back to life. The plot was great stuff, with strong action scenes, pretty wenches and some spot-on humour. Wellington recalls Sharpe from retirement to put down a rascally prince over in India, our Yorkshire hero accepting because his old pal Harper is mixed up in it. Cue some underhand plotting from Sharpe's old foe, Simmerson, and a happy ending after some brilliant fighting. The baddie in this was very good. ITV should make more.

Welcome back, Sharpe!

[greenegg · 7/10 · 18 February 2007]

Loved this latest entry in the marvelous Sharpe series! Let's hope this episode will pave the way for more episodes. Bean and O'Malley, as well as the ever-irritating, simpering Simmerson (Michael Cochrane) and perennial favorite Hugh Fraser as Wellington, perform in their usual superlative manner. After so many outings together, they feel just like old friends in one's living room. Bean, despite looking older and a trifle exhausted, continues to exude sensuality. India, as well as its inhabitants, shimmers; however, the director Tom Clegg would have done well to ignore the peremptory entreaties of Indian/American actress (using the term advisedly, of course) Padma Lakshmi, when she demanded to be cast as the scheming courtesan, Madhuvanthi. Lakshmi is gorgeous, but she speaks in a flat tone, often slurring her words; she exudes all the passion of a dead rat and is not in the least seductive. Lucy Brown, on the other hand, joins a long line of engagingly chaste Sharpe heroines, at least until our hero seduces her (in the loveliest possible way, of course), as Celia, the kidnapped general's daughter. The producers did overdo the bust shots, especially as necklines had crept higher by 1817, but Brown is pretty, a fair English rose to juxtapose against the darker beauties of India. She is also spirited and conveys her feelings in that subtle manner we admire in British performers. Toby Stephens is a perfect cretin as the renegade William Dodd; he presents a worthy addition to the nasty stable of Sharpe villains. Since those early episodes with Pete Postlethwaite as Hakeswill, the shoes of a Sharpe villain have been almost impossible to fill. Bravo to the BBC for ushering us back to this beloved world of Sharpe and his compatriots, as well as his enemies!

A welcome return, but a lost opportunity

[LCShackley · 9/10 · 3 September 2006]

What could be better than spending another 2+ hours in the company of two of TV's greatest heroes, Sharpe & Harper? Sean Bean and Daragh O'Malley look a little the worse for wear, but their chemistry is still working and there is plenty of swashbuckling afoot in this Indian adventure. The scenery is magnificent (I'm SO glad they didn't try to film it, let's say, in the UKRAINE!) and the cast is first rate. This new SHARPE has all the ingredients that made its predecessors so enjoyable to watch. And since they've obviously thrown more money at this one it looks better. (For instance, a lot more extras are used in battle scenes than we're used to seeing in earlier installments.) At the risk of being called a "purist" or an "obsessive" (words already bandied about in this forum), I have to say I'm disappointed that we're probably never going to get to see Cornwell's three Sharpe Indian novels presented as they were written. Of course, I realize there were many changes made in the earlier episodes, but here are a couple of reasons why:

1. The three Indian books give us a good look at the very young Sharpe and the formation of his character. But that would require another (younger) actor, which the producers realize would diminish their audience.

2. We miss the wonderful situations involving the young(er) Hakeswill, played so marvelously by Pete Postlethwaite in earlier episodes. The Indian books let us revel in Sharpe's personal battle with this demented enemy. The producers had to come up with about four villains in SHARPE'S CHALLENGE to make up for him.

Bernard Cornwell, realizing he was sitting on a gold mine, has milked Sharpe's adventures, adding battles before, after, and in between those of the original set of books. And long may he milk! However, this means that we will miss authentic dramatizations of these later additions to the Sharpe canon (cannon, geddit?).

A Good Sharpe Adventure Almost Ruined by Poor Decisions

[matthewpr06 · 6/10 · 5 February 2008]

I finished watching Sharpe last night. I got the complete collection for Christmas. It's a hugely enjoyable show and probably the best mainstream British television drama ever. It's also a serious slice of 90's nostalgia, and for me Sean Bean's rough and ready Richard Shapre is as iconic as 007.

That's not to say it's a perfect show; there are some frequent and notable flaws. Firstly Sean Bean's acting ability can't always match the quality of the writing and during some of the more wordy 19th Century dialogue he struggles to give it any kind of emotional weight, you can tell he is not comfortable with saying it therefore it's not always believable. However, in every other aspect Bean is perfect as Sharpe and the show is NOT just about period drama it's mainly about action and boys-own adventure with a bit of sex and a fair amount violence.

The second flaw also does a lot to add to the charm and personality of the show. Major historical battles that featured hundreds of thousands of men are staged using about twelve extras and a distinct absence of long or establishing shots! That said though, the battles and action sequences in general are usually very effective and entertaining and some of the stunt work is exceptional, as are the costumes and make up.

The third persistent flaw in the show is the makers disregard for continuity of characters and a willingness to abandon the procedural nature that made the show so popular, and just plain brilliant, in the early days. This lack of continuity (or you could even say respect) for the minor characters is mostly manifested in the chosen men, who for me, are a great aspect of the show. Some of the chosen men drift in and out from week to week and characters who you like one week and not in it the next and just disappear without explanation. This is most obvious towards the end of the series with Hagman and Harris who aren't given a lot to do and are missing from a couple of episodes.

There is also quite a shift in quality and tone from the start of the series to the end with Sharpe's Rifles, Eagle, Company, Enemy, Honour, Gold, Battle and Sword all being focused on Sharpe and the Chosen Men's adventures; with plenty of action and not much of the (slightly monotonous) period dramatics that were prevalent in the later stages of the show.

These episodes (or movies) represent the golden age and very best of Sharpe; before it got bogged down with recurring plot lines that weren't that interesting. Sharpe jumped the shark with Sharpe's Regiment in 1996. It wasn't' a bad episode but it was the first that abandoned the procedural nature of the show. There were good moments such as Sharpe and Harper (his loyal colleague) pretending to be simple soldiers in the ranks again and also the very end of the show where Shapre gets his first sighing of France. But overall it was definitely downhill from Regiment onwards. Although subsequent episodes like Siege and Waterloo were excellent, the episode Mission was generic (although still very enjoyable) Justice was disappointing and Revenge (apart from the first twenty minutes) was abysmal. All these lesser episodes focused heavily on Sharpe's disastrous relationship with wife Jane who ran off with another man and stole all of Sharpe's money. It could have been quite an interesting storyline but the makers dragged it out for what seemed like an eternity. Thankfully, Sharpe's Waterloo was a return to form (although it still didn't reach the heights of say, Battle.) with more focus on Shapre, his Chosen men and the action and adventure side of things. Waterloo would have been a fitting send of..

In 2006 Sharpe returned to our screens with Sharpe's Challenge which was set in India two years after the events of Waterloo. Unfortunately, in my opinion, Challenge was also disappointing; which is made even more so by the fact that there is a good Sharpe movie in there somewhere.

There were several major problems with Challenge. Firstly the format; all the other movies were approximately 100 minutes long and shown in one complete part. Challenge was a whopping 140 minutes and was split into two parts; which was a fatal mistake as it made the story overly long and bloated in places. The makers also (criminally) abandoned the iconic opening credits and music, which don't look or sound dated, so I really don't understand that decision.

I believe there is a shorter version of Challenge, which although I haven't seen I should imagine is much better than this bloated two part movie. Another major problem was the recycling of old characters, Bickerstaff in Challenge was identical to the legendary Hakeswill of the original series, also the equally brilliant character of Simmerson was brought back to little effect as some kind of ridiculous caricature of his previous self.

Also for the most part in Challenge, Shapre and Harper were pretending to be from the ranks again (ala Regiment) and were holed up in an enemy fort which basically neutered Sharpe from doing anything until the last ten minutes of the movie. The bad guys (and girls) were all pretty forgettable as well (although Toby Stevens is a good actor – and shows it).

There are some good points to Challenge though, it's great to see Sharpe back (albeit having aged significantly) on our screens and the movie clearly had a much bigger budget than previous entries so the action was fittingly epic and the locations and cinematography as a whole were brilliant. Overall though, some poor decision making from the makers and the network executives (two instalments mean double the advertising revenue) meant that Challenge was a disappointing entry in the Sharpe series. However, Sharpe will return later this year with Sharpe Peril and I for one, will be watching.

A worthy return to form

[drharper · 10/10 · 24 April 2006]

This one needed a few changes, since (unlike the books) this Indian outing is set *after* the Peninsular war and blends several of the "Indian" Sharpe books. This is of course unavoidable, partly because the cast are all ten years older but also because the first Sharpe film skipped over the Indian books and had Sharpe obtaining his field commission in Spain rather than in India. Thus they need another horrible sergeant to replace Hakeswill, for example. That is only relevant for obsessives and the whole thing is a proper dose of Sharpe- all the usual elements of the formula are well serviced. Some truly excellent moments and clearly with a higher budget that the originals. India provides a spectacular backdrop and the attention to detail is as impressive as ever (even if, as ever in the films, the cannon shot continues to explode inappropriately). Enjoy!

Not as good as the ones from the nineties.

[joestank15 · 7/10 · 4 September 2006]

This is basically just a rehash of the novel Sharpe's Tiger, with some minor recasting with Sergeant Hakeswill as Sergeant Bickerstaff, The Tippoo as Major Dodd, and Lieutenant Lawford as Harper. But in the book, the point of infiltrating the fortress was to rescue Colonel McCandless, who knew about that mine planted in the western walls. Because the new plot is to rescue some girl, It just doesn't hold up. And historically, there WERE no major uprisings in India after the Napoleonic war, so any historical accuracy is out the window. Sean Bean, Darugh O' Malley and Toby Stephens all did well, but any time one of the girls or that French guy opened their mouths I just thought "You probably should've done more than one take of that scene." I liked the flashback to Sharpe's Triumph when Sharpe was almost killed by Dodd, but the idea that Dodd would have been allowed to live for 14 years is just ridiculous. Equally as ridiculous is the idea that the french would help Sharpe not 3 years after Waterloo. The explosions were fabulous and the production values were the highest they've been for any Sharpe, but the story, script, and supporting actors were the weakest they've ever been. If only they'd done "Sharpe's Devil" instead. This gets a B/B-

Classic Sharpe

[cads-2 · 10/10 · 24 April 2006]

This was classic Sharpe and classic Sean Bean. Combining Bernard Cornwell's original three books set in India into one Sharpe film, and resetting it after the battle of Waterloo has done nothing to detract from the enjoyment I had from the latest adventures of Richard Sharpe. The plot has taken my favourite bits from all three books and melded them into a fast paced and exciting film.

The acting from both Sean Bean and Daragh O'Malley is up to its usual high standard and is laced with the timing and sardonic wit that has made the previous Sharpe films such a success. Toby Stephens as General Dodd also puts in an admirable and believable performance, and to his credit he had me disliking his character also immediately. The film has some of the best special effects that I have seen from the Sharpe films, especially the storming of the breach sequence and the blowing of the mine. I think some credit should also go to the stunt performers and extras as the effort with which they throw themselves around the set adds to the action segments and makes them much more enjoyable.

The only thing that I can possibly think that would detract from all the praise I have for this film would be the over showing of Lucy Brown's bosom which, although perfectly lovely and appreciated, was overall probably a tad unnecessary. Personally I just felt that there wasn't much need for it plot wise, and it was only there to titillate (excuse the pun)and sensationalise.

I have seen and read all that is Sharpe and can honestly say that this is one of the best Sharpe films. It will be appreciated by old and new fans alike. Hopefully we will get to see some of the other books that haven't yet made it to film produced now. Fingers crossed!

They Made it an "Epic" and Ruined it

[P_Cornelius · 7/10 · 8 December 2006]

So, I give Sharpe's Challenge a 7 out of 10, primarily because I liked the 14 earlier Sharpe movies so much. 'Challenge', however, is a bit disappointing. And it is so because the makers decided to go for an epic sweep in presenting their story. For me, what made the earlier Sharpe movies so wonderful was that epic story lines were taken and woven into an intimate scale.

'Challenge', on the other hand, fell in love with its own imagery and widescreen panoramas. But, what worked for Lawrence of Arabia (remember Omar Sharif's Ali emerging as pinpoint on the horizon, until he finally rides up to Peter O'Toole's foregrounded Lawrence at the waterhole? Magnificent!) doesn't for Sharpe. Other than the wide shots of the fortress and the line of troops marching across the countryside, there is no need for the camera to linger in 'Challenge'. Alas, it continues to do so, however, and Sharpe and Harper become diminished and at times even lost in the process.

Finally, a word about what else is missing. (Possible spoiler) Namely, the rest of Sharpe's riflemen. Inevitable, of course, after the way things played out in Sharpe's Waterloo. But still it's hard to forget all those memorable characters from the earlier movies, such as Hagman, Harris, and Frederickson, whose story lines were often as or more interesting than even Sharpe's.

Oh, well. Maybe Sean Bean and Daragh O'Malley will be up for yet another installment of Sharpe's adventures. Already, they've contributed to one of the greatest adventure series of its type. And a special debt of thanks is due to Sean Bean for not outgrowing his britches, after a little Hollywood success, and coming back into the role of Sharpe with such energy and commitment.

garbled garbage

[drystyx · 1/10 · 25 January 2010]

You'll need a program to tell you what is going on, because like most modern actors, these bores cannot enunciate. Without closed caption, forget it.

Which is just as well, because it is garbage by any standards.

It's set in the early 1800s, with British and French soldiers in the middle East. There's a lot of killing and action, but it doesn't work, because you have no idea why it is going on, or how it is going on. It is a muddled mess.

The poor speaking skills of the actors are across the board, which means the director and casting crew are to blame more than anyone. And no one cares.

The action doesn't work, because it is just another neo Nazi idealist director and writers contriving every instance to save blonde women and butcher brown eyed brunettes. The director is so heavy handed at this, that the audience just doesn't care, and is thoroughly bored by the same old routine. Obviously made for the neo Nazi and female market, since anyone else will be completely turned off by this.

Not much else to say about this garbled garbage.

Sharpe's Challenge

[grailmaiden95816 · 10/10 · 28 September 2006]

I've seen all 14 previous episodes of the Richard Sharpe series. I'm a very devoted fan and was incredibly surprised to learn that new episode would be aired on BBC America August, 2006. The last time the episodes aired was way back in 1997. Hooray for Sean Bean's devotion to this TV program. He first portrayed Richard Sharpe in 1992, unknown in Hollywood, and only a star in England. Now he's an international Hollywood blockbuster star since LOTR, but still agreed to return to TV for Sharpe, took a huge pay cut to do TV because he loves the part of Sharpe.

The production values, sets, costumes are outstanding. The biggest budget production in the entire 14 episode series. Toby Stephens is deliciously evil as the villain, Lucy Brown gives a touching, luminous performance. Padma Lakshi cannot act her way out of a paper bag and the other Indian actress who played the princess should have been cast in the courtesan role. I loved it, although there were a few flaws.

The battle scenes are much more complex and with an enormous cast of extras compared to the previous 14 episodes. It is an international cast of very fine supporting actors. However, the actor who portrays Sgt. Bickerstaff is very "hammy" and over the top. However, the few flaws I mentioned don't hamper a very fine production, which is a classic!

Sharpe's Challenge

[standleylesley · 10/10 · 14 May 2006]

The welcome return of Sean Bean and Darragh O'Malley to the screen in Sharpe was so overdue. I love historical drama and the feature length really did the period justice. Fantastic production. All the actors were excellent. Completely in role. Excellent casting. I felt irritated I wasn't aware of the 'Making of Sharpe's Challenge' so didn't record it. Now I've missed it. I wish some historical dramas were preceded with an actual documentary about the events including famous works of art. There's a famous oil painting of the forlorn hope attacking a fort similar to this isn't there? I'd have liked to have looked out for the depictions in the film. Thanks to Sean Bean, Darragh O'Malley for their work. Don't give up on us. Also Shaggrat 'don't you know we're at Warrr? where have i heard that before!!!! Boromir?

Every cliché you can think of

[anghmho · 4 September 2012]

Sharpe goes to India to save a friend, the purpose of which, in addition to saving the friend, is to provide information that will thwart a rebellion. Once he gets there, he meets the friend, still alive, and they join forces. Here, you have to forget that his friend has the knowledge to prevent the rebellion. While they join up, the General's daughter has been abducted while the column she was traveling with is massacred (sounds suspiciously like Last of the Mohicans) And guess what, Hawkeye--eh, Sharpe--sets off to rescue her. Of course, there is a villain along the way, a British turncoat worthy of Basil Rathbone. But unlike Hawkeye, who defends the settler's fort, Sharpe infiltrates the enemy's fort to both rescue the damsel in distress and to turn the tide of battle when the British attack the rebels. He does both, and dispatches the villain as well. It in turns incorporates every cliché you can find in Gunga Din, Lives of a Bengal Lancer, Robin Hood, and, eh, Sharpe's Whatever.

But it's good fun as long as you realize it doesn't contain a shred of historical accuracy.

For old times sake

[gring0 · 7/10 · 10 February 2008]

I was very much looking forward to seeing how Sharpe got on after 10 years, but it seemed at times like being reacquainted with an old friend I've lost contact with and we both seem to have changed. I noticed bean's acting limitation here; I always made allowances for him in earlier episodes given his social background etc., but here he just seems constantly numb. He doesn't even make use of the french he must have learned during his time in retirement in France. And the mistakes he constantly makes- why in hell does he actually give his real name when acting as a spy? My girlfriend kept rolling her eyes at the constant changes in motive and plot twists that kept the story going. And the idea of meeting Harper and the others in the span of a day in a country the size of India right at the beginning tested my patience from the start. To have a motley of soldiers (no tracking shot to show how few extras are actually being used) carrying the same East Indian Co. flag as a battle flag as opposed to what by then amounted to a Tesco banner was something else that didn't seem right to me. I was keen to see to former Bond baddies square off but, at 140 minutes, it dragged on. How Sharpe after one beating after another managed to shrug it off when my back puts me out is another stretch of believability. www.imperialflags.blogspot.com

its great

[sulu-9 · 10/10 · 30 April 2006]

i thought simerson was as much as a bastard as ever, sharpe hasn't lost his touch with the Lady's. all in all its great. i wish they'd make another series out of it.it was very good if you watch it you will not be wasting your time.full of adventure action and fun.it will have to be bought when it comes out on DVD.the bad guy was ever so slightly insane.on to pickersmith wasn't he awful? the french having honour i would never have thought it after the first lot.man singing at the end was so cool it brought so many memoires from the last episode when they were at waterloo.long live sharpe the french couldn't kill neither will any one else.

Decent Enough Episode

[Rainey-Dawn · 6/10 · 19 December 2021]

India tells of a local warlord Maharaja named Khande Rao who is threatening the British interests in the area. Wellington sends Sharpe out to investigate the matter and one of the general's daughter is kidnapped by Rao. Sharpe has his hands full as his has to enter the lair of Rao and he has the beautiful Madhuvanthi out to seduce him. The Empire and the life of a general's daughter are at stake - can Sharpe compete this challenge?

6/10.

The best Sharpe adaptation yet!

[Leofwine_draca · 8/10 · 17 December 2016]

It's been a long time since Sean Bean donned Richard Sharpe's uniform to star in an ITV adaptation of the Bernard Cornwell novels, but SHARPE'S CHALLENGE seems to rectify that. This extra-long episode is based on Sharpe's early adventures in India, although they're set AFTER Waterloo here to explain Bean's aged appearance. The novels are only loosely adapted, it has to be said; bits and pieces are present, but as a whole this is a new adventure. It's a good one, too, which sees not only Bean and O'Malley returning (their tag-team as great as ever) but also the original Sharpe director, Tom Clegg. Shot on location in India with the biggest budget of any Sharpe adaptation, this is for the most part great stuff, let down by only a few slow spots, some hokey moments, and some overacting (the guy playing Bickerstaff, a stand-in for Hakeswill, is absolutely dire).

Bean makes for a dashing, interesting hero and O'Malley is the perfect comic foil. Toby Stephens, whom many know as the baddie of DIE ANOTHER DAY, is a charismatic baddie; Dodd was, I thought, one of Cornwell's best villains and he does the role justice. I also enjoyed the amount of genuine Indian talent in this production: Lakshmi is good as a scheming villainess, but it's Aly Khan who steals his scenes as a brave and just fighter. Astonishingly, Michael Cochrane returns in the role of Henry Simmerson, ten years since he last played the character. Lucy Brown makes for a very attractive love interest too. The action is well-staged and the explosive climax doesn't disappoint for a change. I enjoyed the emphasis on the violence and there are definitely some moments not for the squeamish (the various tortures meted out by the Indian strongmen, for the most part). The acting is generally of a high standard and Clegg's direction is top notch, making fine use of fantastic, authentic locations. So I'd call SHARPE'S CHALLENGE the best Sharpe adaptation yet, and I look forward to the next.

Just great

[wimpur · 9/10 · 9 January 2008]

In my private library Bernard Cornwell's novels are the most read. And the Sharpe novels do show some wear and tear. As it is with the movies. As soon as my partners hears the song "Over the Hills..." she knows it is time to visit her friend. I am so glad they succeeded in merging the first three books into one movies and make it believable that everything takes place after Waterloo. There is of course one setback: I do so miss Obediah Hakeswill. But Sergeant Bickerstaff is a worthy replacement. And that while Bickerstaff is such a nice guy in the novel. But Dodd is there as evil as he is in Sharpe's Fortress. A great movie and a worthy successor to series. Am I the only one who misses the rest of the gang? Micheal Mears (Rifleman Cooper), John Tams (Daniel Hagman)and Jason Salkey (Rifleman Harris. A pity but not all of us have the luck of the Irish.

Much better than expected

[grantss · 8/10 · 1 April 2023]

1817. Sharpe has retired from the army but is summoned by the Duke of Wellington for an important mission. An agent in India has gone missing while trying to track down a traitorous British officer now advising a rebellious local leader. That agent is Sharpe's old friend Patrick Harper. In India things are complicated when the daughter of the commanding general is kidnapped.

I wasn't expecting much from this. The Battle of Waterloo was the ideal way to end Sharpe's story and Sharpe's Waterloo made for a decent finale. So when this was made nine years after Sharpe's Waterloo it seemed unnecessary and just a cash grab.

However, it's not bad. Like many Sharpe episodes the plot is a bit shaky at times but there've been worse episodes in that regard. The action scenes are great, there's great momentum and the film is never dull. We also have Toby Stephens, of Black Sails fame, putting in a solid performance as the turncoat British officer.

Highly entertaining.

A welcome addition to the series.

[Blueghost · 26 October 2007]

When I first heard about this film I had just finished watching the somewhat disappointing region 1 DVD set published by BFSs. As a result my expectations were somewhat mixed. I had high expectations for the film itself, but figured on another poor PALCAM video translation to NTSC format. Fortunately this wasn't the case. :-) What's more is that the locations, actors, props, sets, and everything one could expect from a Sharpe production were staged and coordinated with great care. This was the kind of scale of production that is a TV producer's dream. The ability to shoot large scale action on location must have been a thrill. It took the expectant production values from the original Sharpe series, and kicked them up a notch higher.

There's been some complaint by Sharpe fans about the apparent cobbling of the original stories by Bernard Cornwall into what one might call a "ex-post-facto" revisit to where Sharpe started. The only drawback that I can see is the fact that Sean Bean is a little old to be playing his younger self in the opening scenes. I don't want to be nitpikcy, but that's partially the fault of makeup and partially the fault of the cinematographer for not trying to make Bean look a little younger. Ironically enough Bean looks younger in the making of featurette included on this disk than he does in the actual production. Probably due to a softer lens and lower level of information gathered by video.

The only thing missing from this latest installment of Shapre were some panoramic shots of the location. With all of the natural scenery available I'm surprised it wasn't taken more advantage of. Even so the film is rich with detail of all sorts. Definitely a high water mark in the Sharpe series.

The acting is on par for this series. It's not Oscar material, but right for a Sharpe adventure. Bean gives Sharpe a little more world weary demeanor. Sharpe is a soldier who's fought, and is not looking forward to the possibility of more battle. He's also domesticated, which reinforces his reluctance for the challenge presented to him. Other cast members deliver respectable performances, though Simerson's character wasn't as cold hearted and self centered as I recall from the previous films.

An unexpected plus was seeing corrected crisp footage from the previous films included in the making of featurette. Those clips showed that the original films, though shot on either 16mm or low grade 35mm film stock, provided more detail and richer colors than what is currently available from the North American BFS release. Kudos to the BBC for producing this film and providing this DVD.

My only real complaint is that the film is short. Compared to the other Sharpe films it may actually be a bit longer, but it looks like there was a lot of footage cut from the film.

Regardless, even though Sharpe is more mature and older, and acknowledges this as a character, he's still Sharpe, and keeps his zest for right and wrong when the moment of truth comes. Enjoy! :-)

Sharpe remains Sharp

[chrichtonsworld · 8/10 · 29 October 2006]

As having followed the complete film series of Sharpe I was anticipating a follow up to this remarkable series! Sharpe's challenge has his flaws (begin of second part the story goes a little flat) but the last half hour makes up for this and is as great as it should be. There wasn't much action in this movie as in the previous movies. This of course there is no real war going on. Although Dodd is a great villain,you never get the feeling he is a real threat. For me this could have been done better. I mean India is a very large continent and can provide for great battles with ease. The story could have been bigger. But maybe this will happen in the future. For now I enjoyed this movie a lot and surely wasn't disappointed.