Sharpe's Eagle

July 1809. Cut off from their regiment, Sharpe and about thirty riflemen are attached to the South Essex under the cruel Sir Henry Simmerson. Sharpe trains the redcoats and clashes with Simmerson, his nephew Gibbons and Lieutenant Berry. On a mission to blow the bridge at Valdelacasa, Simmerson crosses out of pride, French cavalry strikes, Captain Lennox is mortally wounded and a color is lost. Lennox asks Sharpe to take a French eagle. Wellesley makes him captain. Sharpe kills Berry in a night skirmish. At Talavera, Simmerson panics, and Sharpe and Harper take the eagle. Gibbons tries to steal it and Harper kills him. At the victory dinner, Wellesley toasts Sharpe's eagle.

1. ChangeLennox got promoted

   The book's Captain Lennox, who dies asking Sharpe for an eagle, became a major in the film.

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2. ChangeTeresa joins the story

   The film's cast includes Teresa Moreno, played by Assumpta Serna, who isn't in this book. Wikipedia notes the TV plot differs considerably.

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3. Behind the scenesWhy an eagle

   Cornwell wanted to open with the siege of Badajoz but felt it was too ambitious for a debut. He chose capturing an eagle, a comparable challenge.

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