Sharpe's Enemy (1994) (TV)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Tom Clegg

Writers:

Bernard Cornwell (novel)
Eoghan Harris (writer)

Release Date:

21 May 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | History | War

Plot:

Portugal 1813. A band of deserters, including Sharpe's old enemy, Obadiah Hakeswill, have captured two women...

Plot Keywords:

Military | Fictional Biography | Sequel | Reference To Voltaire | Napoleonic Wars

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Sean Bean	...	Major Richard Sharpe
Daragh O'Malley	...	Sgt. Patrick Harper
Hugh Fraser	...	Lord Wellington
Michael Byrne	...	Major Nairn
Pete Postlethwaite	...	Sgt. Obadiah Hakeswill
Assumpta Serna	...	Teresa Moreno
Jeremy Child	...	Sir Augustus Farthingale
Elizabeth Hurley	...	Lady Isabella Farthingdale
Helena Michell	...	Sarah Dubreton
Tony Haygarth	...	Pot-au-Feu
Michael Mears	...	Rifleman Cooper
John Tams	...	Rifleman Daniel Hagman
Jason Salkey	...	Rifleman Harris
Lyndon Davies	...	Rifleman Ben Perkins
Philip Whitchurch	...	Capt. William Frederickson

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | Singapore:NC-16 | UK:12 | Finland:K-13

Filming Locations:

Ukraine

Company:

Celtic Films Entertainment

Trivia:

Author of the Sharpe books, Bernard Cornwell has stated that a popular idea among the cast was that the next film would open up with Obadiah returning from the grave. Cornwell has also stated that he has long regretted killing off Hakeswill, for as he puts it, 'Useful villains are hard to come by'.

Quotes:

Colonel Dubreton: [Sharpe quotes Voltaire in French] You told me you didn't speak French.
Richard Sharpe: I lied. My wife taught me: she taught me many things. Above all how to say goodbye.
[grabs Ducos]
Richard Sharpe: Someday, I'll say goodbye to you!

Movie Connections:

Follows Sharpe's Rifles (1993) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Over the Hills and Far Away

Obadiah Hakeswill, the name just oozes villainy!

This is my favorite of the Sharpe series. Why, you may ask? Obadiah Hakeswill; it's the perfect name for the most foul of villains. Pete Postlethwaite is wonderful as the evil deserter, rapist, thief and all-around bad egg. From his guttural language to his head twitch, he exudes the greatest villainy this side of Ian Mckellan's Richard III.

Sean Bean is the swashbuckling Sharpe, with Daragh O' Malley as the faithful Sgt. Harper. We have the "Chosen Men" and Captain "Sweet William" Frederickson. What's not to love? OK, Elizabeth Hurley doesn't distinguish herself, but the rest of the principles do, including Feodor Atkine as Major Ducos.

The whole series captures the flavor of the Cornwell books, although some of the battles are fought on smaller scales. Still, the productions make the most of their budgets and score points for character. If you like historical adventure, romance, swashbuckling, or just great character acting, watch these films.