Review of Sharpe's Eagle (1993) by David M — 09 Mar 2014

First, let me start be saying I can't believe this is now over 20 years old! (It was released in 1993).

Based on the novel by Bernard Cornwell, and with a pre-Bond-villain Sean Bean in the lead role, this was only the 2nd TV movie in the series, based on what was (then) the 2nd in the series of novels. I say 'then', as Cornwell later produced many prequel stories, some of which have also been adapted for TV.

In this one (as in the novel), Sharpe is given a commission in the newly-raised South Essex, which suffers at the hands of it's Commanding Officer Henry Simmerson and manages to lose it's colours (i.e. Regimental Flag) - the ultimate disgrace for a battalion - leading Sharpe to vow he will capture a French Eagle to make up for the loss.

As a made-for-TV production, it's true that the budget constraints do show (especially in the final battle of Talavera), but this still manages to stick pretty closely to the events of the book. I'd still *love* to see a big-screen adaptation of one of the novels, though!