This box set comes with the complete Sharpe series that have been released on DVD, bar the latest adventure in India, which I believe was released after this box set, so you can't really blame them. In the box set I got, there was a free map of 'Sharpe's battles', a good thing for any Sharpe fan I'm sure. Also you get a 'chronicles booklet' which is basically a fans guide to behind the scenes Sharpe and actors profiles.
Now, for those who have never watched Sharpe before, think off Hornblower, only on land, the ladies love him, his beloved rifles love him, you'll end up loving him as well. The DVD's are set in the Penisular wars of the early 1800's. There's 15 DVD's in total, including a 'Sharpes Legend' DVD, a sort of documentary by one of his riflemen analysing Sharpe and his life.
The characters themselves are brilliantly thought up, in Sharpe's rifles, you have Perkins and Cooper, who are killed off in the first few episodes. The main rifles group are:
Richard Sharpe, the leader
Patrick Harper, a sturdy Irishman full of wonderful sayings, extremely loyal to Sharpe and proves a joy to watch as he saves his captain's life on numerous times
Harris, the one with no first name, he speaks several languages, can read(a rareity in those days), the intellectual one of the group
Hagman(John Tams), admittedly he seems a little bit old to be in the series, but it wouldn't be the same without him, the director brilliantly makes use of his singing talent so that he's the sort of 'group solo singer' rousing the troops, he's the rifle's best shot and a loyal man to Captain Sharpe.
There are numerous other characters which balance out the well thought out plots, including Sharpe's brother, Sharpe's greatest nemeses, Wellington, a whole array of officers and even a group of Mayan descendants in Spain!
The plots themselves are your typical hero stuff, but it's refreshingly original in the same sense, there is always a strong plotline you can depend on, usually involving a beautiful women(Liz Hurley included), a perilous mission which only the rifles can do, an incompetent officer and Hagman singing a song. The director has managed to make it so something so habitually used is something we come to rely on and want from a Sharpe episode. One other thing to note is that all the episodes are filled with good humour and a camaraderie spirit which is something television nowadays sorely lacks.
The series are based on Bernard Shaws books and although the character himself is fictional, you do learn a lot of historical information while watching.
The actors themselves include the renowned Sean Bean and one of the UK's best folk singers, John Tams, who even writes the theme song!
In regard to the special effects, the movies themselves were filmed in the early 90s, however the extras and props are all excellent, I believe all were sets were on location and in Sharpe's Waterloo there is a 'bloody big battle', possibly tipped with Sharpe's finest moment where he gets to see Napoleon.
Overall, brilliant! I cannot wait to watch the final DVD.
If you want a sample, why not buy a single episode? They go very cheaply, only for a few pound, and will give you a good taste of what Sharpe is like.
More details
How does it compare to similar films?
Outstanding
How does it compare to others by the same director?
Good
Value for Money
Good
What format are you reviewing?
DVD
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Production Year: 2004 - Action/Adventure - Director: Jon Turteltaub - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Justin Bartha, Sean Bean, Jon Voight, Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger
