MovieChat Forums > Sharpe's Peril (2010) Discussion > No please no

No please no

posted 16 years ago by dacoopman
15 replies | jump to latest

Now I'm a massive fan of the Sharpe books and the telemovie series. But enough is enough.

I'm going to say it, Sharpe's Challenge was dreadful. A bastardisation of the Sharpe prequel books, the story was a mess and overall it was a lowering of the colours.

The only further Sharpe telemovies I'm interested in watching is if they go back to the beginning and do the Indian series properly. Yes that means losing Sean Bean, and the wonderful Daragh O'Malley, but it's better than watching them embarass themselves again in these pale imitations of the original series.

[–] stevejames6 16 years ago

Everyone's entitled to their own view but I thought they did a decent job with Sharpe's Challenge. I'll rather have new Sharpe episodes than none at all, I still think there's a lot more left 'in the tank', so to speak.

Starting from the beginning of the books, wouldn't make any sense, seeing as Sean is 15 years older from when he first started (thank God that 'flashback' scene was short!).

I think what people don't realize, is that not all books translate well to television, so merging the material from the first three books and setting them after Sharpe's Waterloo, was the best thing to do for television, not necessarily for the fans of the book, as he already had a back story.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] relf 16 years ago

I disagree about "Sharpe's Challenge." I've been a fan of both the books and the TV films since 1995. I've come to accept and enjoy most of the films as "modified" adaptions of the books, not quite as epic in scope as the books are, with "watered-down" presentations of the battles due to budget restraints. However, the characters and acting have always been first rate. I watch the films in a different context from reading the books, and find both very enjoyable.

I feel that "Sharpe's Challenge" brought the quality of the TV series up a step, with its lavish locations, costumes and increase in extras (background actors) and action. I realize that its a compilation of the earlier India stories, but I'm willing to accept that just to be able to be entertained by our heroes (and villian - Simmerson) again. I look forward to "Sharpe's Peril," and hope that Sharpe and Harper will march again on film. We still have the meeting with a banquished Napoleon left to thrill over (Sharpe's Devil).

[–] matthewpr06 16 years ago

I mostly agree with the original posters points. I think Challenge was one of the worst Sharpe's but not as bad as Justice or Revenge. I hate to say it, but Sean Bean is just to old to play Sharpe now, well its even that he is too old, just that he looks too old. Thats what it boils down to for me. Also in Challenge a lot of the charecters were basically imitations of former charecter for example Bickerstaff was basically Hakeswell. Also for Challenge they got rid of the iconic opening titles and changed the format into two episodes, both these things were bad ideas. I really hope they prove me wrong and make a really good Sharpes Peril but unless Sean Bean has aged backwards OR the makers kind of aknowledge this isn't the same Shapre charecter we saw in the 90's the I can't see it being much better than Challenge. Personally if it isn't very good then I will just erase challenge and peril from my memory because the original series is brilliant and i dont want its legacy tainted!

[–] BobStage 16 years ago

I thought Sean could make a few more Sharpes if he really wanted to. He looks the part, older as he is.

I don't mind seeing him do one or two more for old time's sakes, but I hope it doesn't take him away from film.

[–] klorentz 16 years ago

Once I heard they killed off Lucille (what happened to the kids? No children? Terrible) I lost interest.

[–] celticrdruid 16 years ago

to catch up with a child of Lucille and Sharpe- try the Starbuck series by Cornwell--

Hmm... well, you're having the best of the argument so far. Patrick Harper

[–] august1229 12 years ago

That was just not necessary. Have her be home like Ramona. Sharpe is too old for the buxom girls. It's starting to be a joke.

[–] JulianMHall 16 years ago

I haven't seen Sharpe's Challenge but having read the synopsis on IMDB I am deeply disturbed by the messing with the characters. The books had plenty of enemies for Sharpe without transplanting Simmerson to a place he has no right to be in. Similarly Daragh is a brilliant portrayal of Harper, but he was never with Sharpe in India.

It seems they are going to do the same here which, given that Bernard Cornwell is so precise in his detailing of the books, is deeply disappointing.

There are several books which have not made it to the screen - I would LOVE to see Sharpe's Trafalgar for instance. If Bean is deemed too old looking (which I don't entirely agree with - he did fine as Boromir only a couple of years ago) then my choice would be Clive Owen. He even has the right hair colour, which frankly Sean Bean never had anyway.

[–] gregoryland8 16 years ago

BLASPHAMY!!! as cool as clive owen is considering a new actor for sharpe is totally rubbish!!!

now i agree with everything else you say, Trafalgar or the fantatsic Prey would be nice to see!

but i would rather see sharpe gone for ever then another hollywood star step in to beans boots

America was not discovered by Americans - shame on them.

[–] Romulus99 16 years ago

well there will be more I think as sean bean still loves making them and will carry on while he can

only thing on the trafalgar story was he not really old in that book

as for a new actor never sean is sharpe he is perfect for the role and it is part of the reason they were so watched and still are I wish they had not done waterloo on tv and maybe tired for film version so they could do it big time

[–] Wombstar 15 years ago

Not read the books, have not plants to.. couldn't be bothered, dones't interest me.

And i don't watch a lot of tv.. so from my point of view I'm very much enjoying the series and theses new episodes.. and I'm sure many viewers that feel the same way.

[–] ctjk-1 15 years ago

It's a shame wombstar. The books are better than the series. And I love the series!

I'm enjoying this new episode. Especially his tiff with a certain someones relative if you catch my drift. Don't want to spoil it if anyone ain't seen it.

[–] Wombstar 15 years ago

All Books are... but i just don't have the time or interest to read them if I'm honest. And it would ruin my enjoyment of the series.. i don't really watch tv so tis nice to have something to watch..lol

[–] Blueghost 11 years ago

The only thing I really didn't like was Simmerson becoming a good guy. That was total BS. A scum bag like him usually remains a scum bag until his dying days.

Otherwise I thought the movie was all right.