Customer Reviews

Sharpe's Honour

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Being enthralled with the Sharpe series, I have really nothing negative to say about any of the installments. Sharpe's Honour is no different. Following the tragic "Sharpe's Enemey", "..Honor finds Sharpe further put upon by having to restore his tarnished reputation, thanks to a frame-up by his nemesis, Ducos. It's a rousing story, told well, filmed well. The two amusing things of notice is Sharpe's chosen men start to dwindle ridiculously low and This epsiode marks the beginning of the "Love interest of the week" scenerio that will continue in the following stories. Nevertheless, it's a great poignant episode in the series and a must have for any Sharpe collector.

At the beginning of "Sharpe's Honour," the fifth in the series of television films adapted from the novels of Bernard Cornwell about the maverick officer raised from the ranks by the Duke of Wellington, we discover that Napoleon (Ron Cook) himself is looking forward to our hero's demise. It is 1813 and Bonaparte is retreating from Russia and trying to hold on to Spain, currently ruled by his brother Joseph. Wellington's successes are putting things at risk and the wily Major Ducos (Féodor Atkine) has come up with a plan that will not only result in Sharpe's death, but keep Spain allied with France. The plot hinges on a letter written by the beautiful La Marquesa (Alice Krige) accusing Sharpe (Sean Bean) of rape. Because keeping their potential allies happy might mean more than either Sharpe's honor or life, the truth of the matter might not matter to Wellington (Hugh Fraser) and his own spy master, Major Narin (Michael Byrne).

"Sharpe's Honour" combines a little bit of courtroom drama with a whole bunch of sneaky around behind enemy lines. The plan Ducos has put together is rather complex, trying to put all several pieces into position to solidify the French position in Spain (apparently at this point in time it still pays to expect the Spanish Inquisition), and making doubly sure that Sharpe swings at the end of a rope. Meanwhile, Sergeant Harper (Daragh O'Malley) has to worry not only about Major Sharpe's neck but the impending birth of a child by his wife. Still, for those who like it when Sharpe and Harper are thrown together at every opportunity this Sharpe movie does more than its fair share. There is a classic exchange in this one where Sharpe spies the sergeant and says, "Drunk again, Harper?" Without batting an eye Harper replies, "Oh, me too, sir."

This is a solid offering in the series even if it is not part of the top rank. One of the things I have learned from "Sharpe's Honour" and the previous film, "Sharpe's Enemy," is that Cornwell's stories tend to violate the conventional expectations of such dramas. There are a lot of people that I expect Sharpe to kill in these stories, but he never seems to get to most of them, although they tend to meet their richly deserved fates. But then you know that for our dashing hero being accused of assault by a woman is no reason not for sparks to fly between them. We can only wonder what Napoleon will have in store for Sharpe next on their way to getting together on the field at Waterloo down the road in the fourteenth and final adventure in the series.

Yes I'm still reviewing Sharpe. For fans of the Napoleonic-heck even Jane Austen fans-the series again serves up action, romance, and intrigue in 1994's Sharpe's Honour.

Sean Bean returns as Major Richard Sharpe, but he is abruptly stripped of his rank and court marshaled for allegedly murdering a noble Frenchman and assaulting his wife, the Marquesa (Alice Kringe, Star Trek: First Contact). With the help of Sergeant Harper (Daragh O'Malley) and the Chosen Men of the 95th Rifles, Sharpe must rescue the Marquesa to prove his innocence while uncovering the latest plot hatched by French Master Spy Pierre Ducos (Feodor Atkine).

I don't want to spoil anything, but I fell for the twist on my first viewing of this the fifth Sharpe movie. I kept thinking of Han Solo's infamous words-how was Sharpe going to get out of this one? Bernard Cornwell's source material gives writer Colin MacDonald and director Tom Clegg plenty of room for mystery and suspense. It may not seem like a lot based on my brief summary, but Sharpe's Honour has a slightly different vibe to it. Again we're introduced to the corrupt underside of the War-Wellington (Hugh Fraser) forced to hang folks to save face, Ducos plotting to personally destroy the English and claim victory for France by destroying Sharpe, the twisted Spanish Inquistor- the list goes on. Sharpe's really got his back up against the wall. And all this of course, is coming off his personal tragedy in the previous film, Sharpe's Enemy.

Alice Krige is a breath of fresh air as the conflicted Marquesa. She's not traditionally pretty, but she's sassy and sexy enough for Sharpe. Bean also is able to stretch his acting chops while Sharpe deals with all this mess. Daragh O'Malley and the Sharpe regulars also have their moments this episode. The Rifleman must deliver Harper's baby! Each movie has built upon the Chosen Men, so much so that Cornwell added their characters to subsequent Sharpe novels. Hugh Fraser as Wellington is always a delight, and Michael Byrne as Major Nairn is a fine Engineer. I'm not sure why the higher ups with Wellington always change-Hogan, now Nairn. Maybe the production is trying to give justice to all the character from the novels, maybe it was actor conflicts, but everyone takes the new folks onscreen in stride. It is after all, the War with Napoleon. Soldiers must come and go every day.

Speaking of Napoleon, Sharpe's Honour is the first episode showcasing the French point of view. We meet the man himself-even though he is speaking English-and Ducos twisted use of any and all people balances out our love for the English Army. Speaking of love, I'm sure the ladies will enjoy the undercover look of Sharpe. This long haired, shabby dressed Sharpe is unkempt and mourning, but good looking, too.

Yes, we can all chuckle at the beefcake and cheesecake in Sharpe's Honour, but a touch more humor-or I should say humour- makes its presence known. Sharpe, tossing chickens at a bunch of nuns rather than hit them. The light heartedness is welcome in this complex political dilemma in which Sharpe and Harper find themselves. Of course there's that romancey stuff, too. Although, sometimes I wonder how far Sharpe actually takes his liaisons. Some episodes show the bedroom before and after, leaving no doubt of what went on, but other sessions just seem like heavy make outs. You decide. Sharpe's Honour is one of the tamer shows in that department, and as weaved as the plots are, younger folks may be intrigued by the familiar ideals of justice and vindication.

Individually available or purchased in the Sharpe set, Sharpe's Honour is another reason to take a look at this fine series. So what if the Honor is spelled with a U?

In spite of a lifelong fascination with history, I have never had much interest in the Napoleanic era, or the Napoleanic Wars--until I started watching this series. Now we own the entire set, and are acquiring the books on which it is based as rapidly as we can. That alone should indicate how high my opinion of these films is.

If you've read the books, you will find that the timeline has been altered for the movies--but I doubt you will be disappointed. In my opinion, this entire series is one of the best adaptations of book to movie that has ever been done. Both mediums remain emminently enjoyable, and I cannot say that "the books are better than the movies" or "the movie is better than the books." They are entirely complimentary

If you liked Horatio Hornblower and Master and Commander, you will almost certainly enjoy these. Highly recommended!

Bernard Cornwell's Richard Sharpe novels are among the most beloved stories in historical fiction. Cornwell, a Brit living in America, has captivated fans in his native and adopted homelands with the heroic tales of Sharpe, gutter trash raised from the ranks by Wellington to become a critical officer during the Napoleonic Wars.

The TV adaptations are slightly askew from the novels, but that's no surprise. By the outset of "Sharpe's Honour," Sharpe's beloved wife Teresa, the "Needle" who killed so many Frenchmen, is dead. Sharpe (Sean Bean) grieves, even as Sergeant Harper looks to become a father for the first time.

The French care not for Sharpe's woes, and Major Ducos - Sharpe's sworn enemy - thirsts for revenge. (Napoleon himself wants to see Sharpe ruined!) Ducos convinces the beautiful wife of a Spanish colonel to write a false letter accusing Sharpe of rape, hoping to simultaneously ruin Sharpe and also drive a wedge between Wellington and his Spanish allies.

The letter apparently succeeds, as Sharpe is accused of the murder of the Spanish colonel following their duel. Thanks to the representation by the worst lawyer to ever serve in the English bar, Sharpe is sentenced to death by hanging.

For anyone who has paid attention to the fact that this is the fifth installment in a fourteen DVD pack, it should come as no surprise that Sharpe is not killed. What ensues following his "hanging," however, is a rollicking tale of vengeance, rescue, derring-do, and even a wee bit of honor. Again, there is no electric guitar on the soundtrack to sully the waters, so this is one well-executed if low-budget adventure story. And without giving too much away, even the most cynical Sharpe fan will laugh uproariously as Sharpe does battle with a bunch of protesting Spanish nuns, brandishing a chicken like a battleaxe and taking a few cabbages upside the head.

For fans of the series, this is a must-see. If you're not a fan, grab a copy of Cornwell's first book in the series, "Sharpe's Tiger," and get reading. (It helps to watch the movies if you've already read the novels.)

Honour was dissapointing as it marked my switch to DVD from VHS in the series. I agree sound and picture quality are poor. This series is crying out for a repackaging in a DVD box set with digital quality and behind-the-scenes stuff. That said, Honour is fairly entertaining. A good plot and some decent action, along with the traditional kick-to-the-groin fight scenes. The climatic battle sees Sean Bean catapulted over over a downed cart, sword in hand. Great stuff that. The romance is downplayed a bit, with one exception ("He was at her all night sir") and the scene where Sharpe rescues the Marquesa from the band of nuns is hilarious. Worth the time. I'm looking forward to getting further into the series from this point on.

I was very disappointed in the DVD picture quality; it's on the same level as video tape. I was expecting a much sharper (no pun intended,) clearer transfer. The movie itself was 5 star. I can only hope the next Sharpe Collection transfered to DVD will move up to a DVD quality picture.

I was disappointed in the screen play of this great book. I found the book much richer in story. In the book Sharp and the (golden Whore) had known each other in a biblical way from a previous book (Sharps Sword) wherein he also slaughters her evil brother(Colonel Leroux ). In the screen play they do not know each other at all. Also Harper did not accompany Sharp on this Mission to capture La Marquesa,this role was better served by the Spanish boy Angel.

Last the Movie did not do justice to the horror of 1700th century warfare and it made the battle of Vitoria look like a platoon Action instead of the Clash of whole Army groups that it was.