Sharpe's Siege

Late 1813, southern France. Jane has a fever, and so does General Ross. Wellington wants to test the loyalty of the Comte de Maquerre, who promises to raise Bordeaux against Napoleon, and sends Sharpe to take his family's castle, held by the French. Sharpe does it, but with few men and a superior, Colonel Bampfylde, who only looks out for himself. The count's sister, Catherine, stays at the castle and tempts Sharpe. Ducos, posing as the mayor of Bordeaux, springs the trap. Besieged and nearly out of ammo, Sharpe holds on, hunts for quinine for Jane and sees Hagman drop Maquerre from long range. Bampfylde ends up arrested for deserting his post.

1. ReferenceNo American privateer

   In the book, American privateer Cornelius Killick is key to the siege. The film cuts Killick and the whole naval plot.

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2. ReferenceThe invented sister

   Catherine, the Comte de Maquerre's sister, was created for TV. She stays at the fort and tempts Sharpe, who's already married to Jane.

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3. Behind the scenesThe singing marksman

   Daniel Hagman, the riflemen's best shot, is John Tams. He also wrote or arranged much of the show's music.

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