Sharpe’s Rifles

 Today’s post is from Susan at Schimelpfenig Library:

 

Sharpe’s Rifles: Vol. 1 (1993) directed by Tom Clegg

My favorite genre is historical fiction and this dvd (the first in the series) is based on the novel of Bernard Cornwell, taking place in the 1800’s during the Napoleonic wars of Europe and England. My husband and I have watched dvds 1 through 4 in the series so far and have thoroughly enjoyed the combination of history, adventure, intrigue, military strategies, and romance that this series has to offer.

The main character, Richard Sharpe, is played by Sean Bean.  Sharpe’s character is a British ‘commoner’ in a field of officers.  He is also a super-human hero of sorts who receives physical wounds that would be mortal to anyone else.  Shortly after being treated (or not treated, in some cases), we see him loping off to continue the adventure. . .sometimes without even a limp.

This dvd contains terrific scenes of war, destruction, and fighting with a variety of weapons, including the rifle, as Sharpe leads his Chosen Men (think Robin Hood and his Merrymen … including the green jackets) into one adventure after another. Of course there is a love interest of some kind in each episode as well as an assortment of both good and bad guys and gals to round out the cast.

Although not required, I would recommend that you start with this dvd in the series to get a sense of character and storyline.  My husband and I are looking forward to the remainder of the series if it continues in the same vein.