Sharpe's Challenge DVD

Advantages: Sean Bean in those trousers, reasonable storyline, lots of action
Disadvantages: Poor editing, presentation doesn't match previous set

...boxset on DVD. So when Sharpe's Challenge was advertised on the TV I was looking forward to watching it. Sadly, due to a family crisis, I only managed to catch the first half on the TV, so when I discovered that it would be available on DVD very shortly after, I jumped at the chance of buying it, for the extortionate price of £16.49. --The Episode-- After the battle of Waterloo Colonel Richard Sharpe thought he'd left his life as a soldier behind ...
...The actual storyline to Sharpe's Challenge is based on the first three books of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series, that is Tiger, Triumph and Fortress. Fans of the books may be a little confused by the fact that ideas were taken from each of the books and the original timeline has been messed about with. Personally I enjoyed working out which scene came from which book but did find that the plot was perhaps not as coherent as it could have been. ... Read review

Advantages: Superbly shot, great casting
Disadvantages: none really!

I have to admit, i was absolutely gutted when this came out. I'd just spent a small fortune on the boxset. On the other hand, I was chuffed to bits, sharpe was back! It'd been a long time since Sean Bean had donned that uniform, and it shows - though it fits in perfectly with the storyline. The storyline is loosely based on the book "Sharpes Fortress" - the last of the Sharpe in India series. In Challenge, Sharpe returns to India as a retired ...
...gets himself involved with the Incompetent Simmerson (the most hated of sharpes enemies!) and ends up posing as a redcoat deserter, to rescue the ailing generals daughter and save the day - though things go terribly wrong when a captured sargeant gives Sharpe and Harper away - and as always with Sharpe, death, mass explosions and screaming charges ensue! Despite the fact that over a decade had passed between waterloo and challenge, Sean Bean and ... Read review

Advantages: another Sharpe film
Disadvantages: very far fetched

...I love the Sharpe series of books, I know I shouldnt, it's violent, lots of swearing, and sharpe has his way with many a woman, that aside the books are masterfully written, and the recent addition of Sharpe's exploits in India have breathed new life into this great series. The films too are great and the original series boxset still fetches a good price on Ebay, I know Ive been outbid often enough! So getting to the point Sharpes challenge, I have one question for sharpe fans to think about, did we really need it? The plotline is loosely based on the recent books tracing Sharpes beginnings in India, but it's set after the Napolionic wars?! Anyway Sharpe is requested by Wellington to find Harper, after finding him in India they set about infiltrating the Indian Fortress of Sarangpatan as Deserters, here Sharpe meets Dodds, his nemesis... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful