Sharpe's Enemy

Winter 1812. A gang of deserters from several armies, led by former French cook Pot-au-Feu, massacres the village of Adrados and seizes women, Lady Farthingdale and Madame Dubreton among them. Newly made a major, Sharpe carries the ransom and finds the gang's 'colonel' is Hakeswill. He works with French colonel Dubreton and is given a Congreve rocket troop. On Christmas Eve, he takes the convent and frees the women. The fake Lady Farthingdale is Josefina, his former lover. Teresa warns that a French army is coming. Sharpe fires the rockets at point-blank range and holds off the attack. Hakeswill escapes, kills Teresa and is recaptured. He survives the firing squad, and Sharpe fires the final shot himself.

1. ChangeIsabella instead of Josefina

   In the book, the fake Lady Farthingdale is Josefina, Sharpe's former lover. On TV the hostage is Isabella, played by Elizabeth Hurley, another ex.

   source ↗
2. ChangeTeresa dies sooner

   On TV, Hakeswill kills Teresa right after the convent falls. In the book it happens during the final battle.

   source ↗
3. ChangeWho fires last

   In the book, Sharpe fires the final shot into Hakeswill himself. On TV an unnamed officer finishes the execution while Sharpe watches from afar.

   source ↗
4. ChangeThe rockets shrink

   The final battle, with Congreve rockets fired at point-blank range, shrinks on TV to a single repulsed French charge.

   source ↗