Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

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.

Sharp's Challenge! I very much enjoyed this episode. Found it by flipping channels, had thought that this series was over. Sean Bean once again displays his great acting ability. No cheesy acting, settings were great, supporting cast (as usual) was outstanding. This episode is very much like the others was very well written. Once again one of Sharp's nemesis shows his cowardice. Sharp has the support of this commanding general. This general see's the cowardice of one of his officers and sends him packing. Great acting by all. Well rounded, probably one of the best Sharp's episode. I do think that the requirement of "10 lines of text" is a bit inane, and leads one to write "chatter" just to fill up space.

The welcome return of Sean Bean and Darragh O'Malley to the screen in Sharpe was so overdue. I love historical drama and the feature length really did the period justice. Fantastic production. All the actors were excellent. Completely in role. Excellent casting. I felt irritated I wasn't aware of the 'Making of Sharpe's Challenge' so didn't record it. Now I've missed it. I wish some historical dramas were preceded with an actual documentary about the events including famous works of art. There's a famous oil painting of the forlorn hope attacking a fort similar to this isn't there? I'd have liked to have looked out for the depictions in the film. Thanks to Sean Bean, Darragh O'Malley for their work. Don't give up on us. Also Shaggrat 'don't you know we're at Warrr? where have i heard that before!!!! Boromir?