Very well executed

It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

It's been a long time since Sean Bean donned Richard Sharpe's uniform to star in an ITV adaptation of the Bernard Cornwell novels, but SHARPE'S CHALLENGE seems to rectify that. This extra-long episode is based on Sharpe's early adventures in India, although they're set AFTER Waterloo here to explain Bean's aged appearance. The novels are only loosely adapted, it has to be said; bits and pieces are present, but as a whole this is a new adventure. It's a good one, too, which sees not only Bean and O'Malley returning (their tag-team as great as ever) but also the original Sharpe director, Tom Clegg. Shot on location in India with the biggest budget of any Sharpe adaptation, this is for the most part great stuff, let down by only a few slow spots, some hokey moments, and some overacting (the guy playing Bickerstaff, a stand-in for Hakeswill, is absolutely dire).Bean makes for a dashing, interesting hero and O'Malley is the perfect comic foil. Toby Stephens, whom many know as the baddie of DIE ANOTHER DAY, is a charismatic baddie; Dodd was, I thought, one of Cornwell's best villains and he does the role justice. I also enjoyed the amount of genuine Indian talent in this production: Lakshmi is good as a scheming villainess, but it's Aly Khan who steals his scenes as a brave and just fighter. Astonishingly, Michael Cochrane returns in the role of Henry Simmerson, ten years since he last played the character. Lucy Brown makes for a very attractive love interest too. The action is well-staged and the explosive climax doesn't disappoint for a change. I enjoyed the emphasis on the violence and there are definitely some moments not for the squeamish (the various tortures meted out by the Indian strongmen, for the most part). The acting is generally of a high standard and Clegg's direction is top notch, making fine use of fantastic, authentic locations. So I'd call SHARPE'S CHALLENGE the best Sharpe adaptation yet, and I look forward to the next.

Sharpe goes to India to save a friend, the purpose of which, in addition to saving the friend, is to provide information that will thwart a rebellion. Once he gets there, he meets the friend, still alive, and they join forces. Here, you have to forget that his friend has the knowledge to prevent the rebellion. While they join up, the General's daughter has been abducted while the column she was traveling with is massacred (sounds suspiciously like Last of the Mohicans) And guess what, Hawkeye--eh, Sharpe--sets off to rescue her. Of course, there is a villain along the way, a British turncoat worthy of Basil Rathbone. But unlike Hawkeye, who defends the settler's fort, Sharpe infiltrates the enemy's fort to both rescue the damsel in distress and to turn the tide of battle when the British attack the rebels. He does both, and dispatches the villain as well. It in turns incorporates every cliché you can find in Gunga Din, Lives of a Bengal Lancer, Robin Hood, and, eh, Sharpe's Whatever.But it's good fun as long as you realize it doesn't contain a shred of historical accuracy.

I loved Sharpe's Challenge. As usual Sean Bean made every moment of it worth it. I did however notice some things missing. Sharpie's flogging scars had disappeared and the gunshot wound scar on his chest on the left was gone as well as the scar on his right cheek. Hmm... Other than that little trivial thing this Sharpie is worth the watch and I do watch it over and over and over again. Sean just makes every movie he is in worth watching. His acting ability is so fantastic. I gave him a 10 for this Sharpie film. Older Sharpe is better. If you haven't seen it yet. Please do you will love it. There is a lot of action in it for the guys and a lot of Sean Bean for the ladies. It is also good to see Daragh O'Malley again as Harper. The combination of Bean and O'Malley makes for some comedy in spots.

i thought simerson was as much as a bastard as ever, sharpe hasn't lost his touch with the Lady's. all in all its great. i wish they'd make another series out of it.it was very good if you watch it you will not be wasting your time.full of adventure action and fun.it will have to be bought when it comes out on DVD.the bad guy was ever so slightly insane.on to pickersmith wasn't he awful? the french having honour i would never have thought it after the first lot.man singing at the end was so cool it brought so many memoires from the last episode when they were at waterloo.long live sharpe the french couldn't kill neither will any one else.