Sharpe's Enemy (1994) (TV)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Tom Clegg

Writers:

Eoghan Harris (written by)
Bernard Cornwell (based on the novel by)

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	...	Sharpe
Daragh O'Malley	...	Harper
Hugh Fraser	...	Wellington
Michael Byrne	...	Nairn
Pete Postlethwaite	...	Hakeswill
Assumpta Serna	...	Teresa
Jeremy Child	...	Sir Augustus
Elizabeth Hurley	...	Lady Farthingdale
Helena Michell	...	Sarah Dubreton
Tony Haygarth	...	Pot Au Feu
Michael Mears	...	Cooper
John Tams	...	Hagman
Jason Salkey	...	Harris
Lyndon Davies	...	Perkins
Philip Whitchurch	...	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:

Richard Sharpe: No wonder Harris reads Voltaire. Listen: Dieu ne pas pour le gros battalions, mais pour sequi teront le meilleur.
Teresa: God is not on the side of the big battalions, but of the best shots.
Richard Sharpe: Not bad for a Frog, eh?

Movie Connections:

Followed by Sharpe's Revenge (1997) (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.