Sharpe's Rifles

Galicia, January 1809. On the retreat to Corunna, the rifles' captain is killed, and Lieutenant Sharpe is left commanding survivors who won't accept him, Patrick Harper among them. They join Spanish major Blas Vivar, who hides his real goal: carrying the banner of Santiago to Santiago de Compostela to rouse the people against the French. Sharpe agrees to help if Vivar gets Harper made sergeant. With a feint, he draws much of the French force away, and the city falls. The French counterattack from a hiding place, and Sharpe helps beat them. The banner is raised, Colonel D'Eclin dies in the retreat and Vivar marries Englishwoman Louisa Parker. In Portugal, Captain Hogan offers Sharpe work.

1. ChangeSaving Wellesley early

   On TV, Sharpe saves Wellesley in the opening and gets his commission there. In the book he's already an officer when the story starts.

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2. ChangeNo Corunna, plus a banker

   The film drops the retreat to Corunna and sends Sharpe after a banker. Major Dunnett, only captured in the book, dies in the opening ambush.

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3. ChangeTeresa instead of Louisa

   In the book, Englishwoman Louisa Parker has a big role and marries Vivar. On TV she nearly vanishes, and Teresa Moreno, who comes later in the books, steps in.

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4. ChangeFive riflemen

   TV swaps the book's company for five riflemen: Hagman, Cooper and Tongue come from the novel, Harris and Perkins were invented. D'Eclin dies from Perkins' shot.

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