Customer Reviews

Sharpe's: Collection Set 1 [VHS]

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ever since I saw Sharpe's Eagle on Carlton TV's first showing of the Sharpe series (they were still making it too) in England, I was captivated so much that I couldn't wait a year for the next ones. Well, I did... and now I keep enjoying the whole series of 11 and the novels (which are even better that the films if that's possible) written by Cornwell. Richard Sharpe is brilliantly portrayed by Sean Bean, so well, in fact, that Bernard Cornwell changed the character in the later books to reflect the film performance. If anyone reading this has influence with Bernard or Carlton TV, PLEASE WRITE (or film) MORE of these. I can't get enough. The action is rivetting, the women beautiful and the music snaps you right into the action. The best film series ever made on a shoe-string... and the bugdet does not reflect!

I have not read the books from which this series is taken but if they are half as fascinating as these videos, they must be outstanding. The presentation of this collection of intriguing characters interacting against the background of the Napoleanic wars is completely engrossing. Richard Sharpe, the guttersnipe risen from the ranks, is brilliantly portrayed by Sean Bean and Darragh O'Malley as his faithful sidekick is also excellent. One of the most effective aspects of this series is the soundtrack, which is stirring and perfectly suited to the times depicted. All the performances are well done and in considerable depth, from Hugh Frazer as Wellington to each of the Chosen Men, and every episode is full of fascinating villains, beautiful (and, more to the point, interesting) women, fierce enemies, treacherous insiders and loyal followers, with the central focus on Sharpe, handsome, honorable and tough as nails. What more can you ask?

I have viewed the complete series and after 20 plus hours I find the only bad thing about it is that it ended. Unlike so many movies and series where the sequel deminishes in quality, Sharpe retains it high entertainment ratio. I believe that it is due to the original author Bernard Cornwell. I have read his eleven books and the eleventh is as enthralling as the first. This is a story that gives you history and entertainment together in a beautiful story. Well worth the money and I am sure that I will veiw my tapes over and over in the future. Sudami

WONDERFUL!! The videos are as spellbinding as the novels! I can't take my eyes off Sean Bean - his Richard Sharpe is the kind of swashbuckling hero every woman dreams of! The rest of the series looks good, too - it draws the viewer into the nineteenth century and into the dirt, the frustration, the fear and the triumph of the common soldiers fighting for England against Napoleon. As a fan of anything hisorical, I enjoy a show that can allow me to feel like I got a priveleged, first hand peek into another time and place and this series does just that. If you are a fan of history, adventure, or great looking hunks,give this series a good, hard look and you won't be dissapointed!

From the moment Richard Sharpe saves Arthur Wellesley from 3 French dragoons, his life is changed forever. As the future Lord Wellington advises this hard bitten British soldier, "You did me a damn good turn, now I'm going to do you a damn bad one", and promotes the brave man to the rank of Lieutenant. However, our hero Mr. Sharpe is not what his fellow officers consider a "gentlemen". Not being of privileged birth in a system steeped in social stratification, our Richard must continue to demonstrate his worth by deeds of honor and valor. And, prove himself he does. Through each installment of this enjoyable series, Sharpe and his trusted Sergeant Harper lead their group of "Chosen men" through one difficult scrape after the other. I love the entire Sharpe series but this first batch of four videos has some truly unforgettable moments. In the tradition of "Zulu" and "Gunga Din", if you love tales of the tenacious English soldier, testosterone and Napoleon, Sharpe is your man.

Excellent, (and fairly accurate, I'm told) historical fiction. The action scenes are well done and exciting, but it's the humanity and the humor that makes this series so good. Probably the only time I've seen Sean Bean (one of my favorite actors) play a hero, and he really rises to the occassion... Also, high production values, & a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack.

I first saw Sharpe's Rifles on PBS and found myself glued to the TV set. I didn't know that the series was on Video until I checked out Amazon. These movies were excellent. The video is not exactly in tune with the books, but frankly I didn't really care. Sean Bean is excellent as Sharpe, good acting overall.

These are the best films of their type, ever. The writing is solid and the history only fudged where it has to be. It's a little odd seeing them after reading all the books, since some stories have been merged and some split apart, and some new characters appear.

My argument is with the packaging. Why are the films not in the chronological order of the events in the Peninsular War, as the books are. Must be the order in which they were made/shown? Oh well, a small niggle with an other wise perfect film experience. I'll never read Sharpe again without hearing Sean Bean's voice.

This series is a must have for anyone who is a fan of the Bernard Cornwell series. Well acted and filled with lots of actions these movies will not disappoint. The only complaint is that they needed more extras. At times both armies seem a little short of manpower, but that is a minor flaw in an otherwise stellar production.

If you like a blend of heroes, villains, victims and hells angels dropped into early 19th century Europe, where spies, sexy women, and a renegade soldier named Sharpe tear up Spain, Portugal and France against a backdrop of revolutionary America, incendiary Irish and mad Scots, you will find it here. Simple, complex, elegant and nasty, it is high drama, with a heavy Darwinian message. Sean Bean makes James Bond look like a woos.