Sharpe Gets Promoted To Major | Sharpe

Sharpe gets promoted to Major and shares his plan on slipping into Adrados unnoticed.
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In the Peninsular War, a British sergeant is field promoted to a lieutenant in charge of a disrespectful rifle company.

[@SharpeOfficial]

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[@brunolapointe66]

Wellington : "Turn out, Sharpe has friends at court too." Sir Augustus : "He does?" Richard Sharpe : "He does?" Eddard Stark : "He does?"

[@SMAXZO]

Janos Slynt: "He does?"

[@jsb1585]

@@SMAXZO I had a good chuckle at this, thank you

[@jaymac7203]

Sharpe "Does that mean I can have more than five men now"? 😭😭😭 lol 🤣

[@alasdairgardiner2313]

Boromir: "He does?"

[@DanBeech-ht7sw]

Mellors: does I get a shag out of it?

[@TheStapleGunKid]

"So, now that I'm a major, does that mean I get to command more than 5 or 6 guys?" "Nope"

[@user-ns3vs3bp3e]

“You think we have the budget for more than that? Have you being paying attention?”

[@mileskessler2905]

technically he's commanding Fredrickson's rifles as well, he just chose to go in with the Chosen Men because he likes it that way.

[@TheStapleGunKid]

@@mileskessler2905 Yes I'm sure that's totally the reason. It's not at all because the show can't afford to hire enough people for a proper sense of scale.

[@mileskessler2905]

@@TheStapleGunKid that too but I'm trying to make it canon because why not.

[@assassinlexx1993]

A rise in rank but rise in pay. So he must find other ways.

[@ronlittlejohn8046]

You got to love that Bernard Cornwell loved Sean Bean’s performance so much that in future novels of the Sharpe series he included Sharpe having grown up in Yorkshire to make Bean’s accent canon

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

Fleming did the same with Connery and Bond.

[@odysseusrex5908]

That's interesting, Ian Fleming did something similar with James Bond after Sean Connery played him. Edit: Drat, ninja'd.

[@jh7076]

Some of the details of the books are contradictory, mainly about the later books (written earlier) regarding Sharpe's time in India.

[@odysseusrex5908]

@@jh7076 I've only read a few of the books, none of the India ones, but I thought they were written later and set earlier. I thought the movie adaptations took great liberties with them to set them later. I could be entirely wrong though.

[@hughbrown1531]

@@odysseusrex5908 I might be wrong too but I'm reading the earlier books now, I don't recall any contradictory statements. Sharpe was born in London but after escaping the workhouse ended up in Yorkshire.

[@ablethreefourbravo]

"Is the detachment to be commanded by the newly gazetted... Major Gibbons, sir?" "To be commanded by the newly gazetted Major Shape, sir."

[@tankengine8889]

It was Captain's, not Major.

[@ablethreefourbravo]

@@tankengine8889 Captains, not Captain's.

[@TheAngelOfDeath01]

Simmerson would have a cow if he read that...

[@Dayaktribesman]

I have friends *at court, sir.

[@ablethreefourbravo]

@@Dayaktribesman The man who loses the king's colors loses the king's friendship. You have two choices: to hide in England or be a hero in Spain. I shall help you to be a hero.

[@arielfetters5662]

"It seems Sharpe has friends at court too colonel." I love the fact Sharp looks like "I do?" Love the acting in this show. Great talents all over.

[@madjack1748]

The Prince Regent would be THE friend at court above all. lmao

[@kapparomeo]

Credit to Sir Augustus where it's due though, he pulled off an absolutely spectacular recovery at 3:24 - after being contradicted so completely, Sir Augustus still managed to not bluster but make a proactive response that was simultaneously both comradely and belittling while still laying a sporting bet for the coming action, and he left with dignity. That was some skilful social manoeuvring.

[@Jaceric2]

Well, he must have had some skill in diplomacy to be sent to represent his nation in Lisbon.

[@wolfenstien13]

It is the equivalent of saying, "here is a ladder to get onto my level."

[@ToreDL87]

True players play sportingly, no sport otherwise.

[@realburglazofficial2613]

Sir Augustus was far more tolerable than Sir Simmerson!

[@jgraaay18]

It was rather deftly done, wasn't it? Saved face in the face of being contradicted, yet subtlely giving Sharpe his support and blessing. Whatever his military abilities, the man certainly seems to be adept in the field of social combat... which, at that blue-blooded level in that period, could be pretty damn cutthroat.​

[@kurokaze511]

I love how the look on Sharpe's face is always like " Would you a-holes stop promoting me i have enough crap to deal with already"

[@-pancakes7205]

I don't remember but i saw an episode where he wanted a promotion so that no one could take his rank away from him.

[@thomaslade999]

@@-pancakes7205 Sharpe's company, he gets demoted by the new commanding officer of the South Essex, (after taking an Eagle!) so decides to be the first person over the wall at Badajoz.

[@SantomPh]

@@-pancakes7205 he was gazetted brevet Captain after the debacle with the lost colors but needed it to be confirmed before some other bigwig took it away completely. Hence he takes the eagle and gets confirmed as a captain. this promotion to major is utterly unreversible as it comes from the very top

[@patrickturner6878]

LOL nah, Sharpe was trying not to crack a grin in that Colonel's face when the letter read "Well beloved Richard Sharpe, Esquire".

[@shabut]

Not really, the top is in England and they were always at war with wellington. Books and reality.

[@JagerLange]

This is how you do an historical miniseries with bugger-all budget.

[@zbudda]

Sharpe : Your Calvary will be ripped to shreds going against the (enemies) thousand lancers in square formation...(points at 20 extras dressed as lancers). 😂

[@MisterL2_yt]

@@zbudda when was that? xd

[@wetlettuce4768]

@@zbudda Another one is not all the foot soldiers have muskets, I've seen at least one clip where someone was marching into battle with a Mosin Negant with the bolt chopped off and a lick of brass paint to make it look the part. No wonder the French keep getting beat.

[@RyanSHarper]

JägerLange lets see a Netflix reboot with all the budget

[@willb8684]

@@zbudda lol....the budget sucked but i still enjoyed it

[@finaladvance5085]

CANNOT RISE to the purchase of A WATCH! You may borrow mine. Killed me

[@julonkrutor4649]

and he stod by his word, he supported the now major Sharp ^^

[@terencepaul7475]

Im still not really sure what he meant by this, but still tickled me xD

[@TheCormTube]

As someone else here said, an important bit of symbolism. Though he is disgruntled by a commoner being an officer, by lending his watch to Sharpe is it telling Sharpe that he has his support without being seen as to be approving of Sharpe.

[@williamberne]

@@TheCormTube He also "commanded" Sharpe to return that watch, which equals to saying "stay alive".

[@aaronbittner7356]

@@julonkrutor4649, he could tell which way the wind was blowing... and it was blowing from London.

[@FEARSWTOR]

Plot twist: When the prince regent dictated the letter to his secretary he actually said "etcetera, etcetera" and "blehblehblehblehbleh" because he didn't feel like going through the hassle of saying it all and assumed they would write down the full and proper titles. However, unbeknownst to the prince regent, it was their first day on the job.

[@einaramundsen4171]

Edmund Blackadder was having enough of his nonsense (:

[@bucephulus4600]

Love it!!

[@tabchanzero8229]

The castle of... Aaaaarrrrrggghghhhhhh

[@BuriedFlame]

_"He wouldn't bothering carving 'aaaarggh'! He would just say it!"_ _"Maybe he was dictating?"_

[@Bigmojojo]

That's hilarious 😂

[@nikolai60]

Handing over the watch was far bigger than verbal insults. Back then a personal time piece was a huge deal. He just handed Sharpe a personal status symbol and a visual representation of his confidence and legitimacy, even if he won't say it out loud.

[@adamcrookedsmile]

thanks, not being British I found it odd that his the colonel's words were confrontational yet he showed kindness & confidence by lending Sharpe his (really nice looking) timepiece.

[@ave789]

@@adamcrookedsmile I haven't seen much Sharpe other than this but I thought it was more a reluctant placement of trust in him?

[@nikolai60]

@@ave789 It is that too. Especially since anyone who sees Sharpe with it would interpret it as Sharpe having the Colonel's support in both his rank and mission. If Sharpe get's in trouble, the Colonel would essentially be obligated to go to bat for him, and Sharpe could just show the watch to anyone who doesn't want to cooperate as a "see who I'm working with? you wouldn't want to make HIM mad would you?". Of course, abuse of that is a great way to get in serious trouble in a hurry.

[@IPFreelly604]

Grandaddy dropping the latest Samsung.

[@gazzaclarkson2547]

Yeah, but then he fucked his wife. Evens, I'd say....

[@morbius109]

You have to love how Sharpe reacts at 3:00 when he realises that Royal missive is directed to him personally. Being the dutiful soldier he is, he tenses up as if snapping to attention. The King or Prince Regent may as well have been in the tent personally.

[@ScottyShaw]

And then when he actually meets the Prince Regent, he constantly switches between trying to snap to attention and doing exactly what the Prince Regent says, which breaks every rule of decorum he was sternly given just seconds prior 🤣🤣🤣

[@burntbacon7995]

Braces up, sir, braces up and not "tences up", as you incorrectly put it.

[@enshk79]

Good catch

[@madjack1748]

@@ScottyShaw haha, I loved the episode when they finally meet. Sharpe is so nervous and tries to act as respectfully formal as possible at first, but the Prince Regent turns out to be the biggest Sharpe fanboy in all of England that considers him a comrade in arms for battles he was never present. Sharpe just ends up showing off for the PR, much to his majesties delight.

[@ESFAndy011]

Wellington: "May I have your word that you will support fully the Major in command of the detachment?" Augustus: "Absolutely Sir" Wellington: "Nairn, let us about to end this man's entire career"

[@PhantomDark221]

Poetry.

[@RS250Squid]

"In our army now in portugal and spain and blehblehblehbleh". Nairn has respect for rank and station, but no place for frippery and foolishness.

[@Exodianecross1978]

He cut straight to the point, that's what I liked most!

[@DavBlc7]

I think it was a long letter so to make it short, he only said "Blehblehblehbleh!" everyone understand that. I think both Wellington and Narin may have already read the letter before Sharp and the colonel came in.

[@eightfifty2309]

How funny would it be if the letter is actually written that way.

[@davecrupel2817]

"frippery" That's a new one. Lol

[@maxcaysey2844]

@@DavBlc7 I was a little sad they changed the actor who plays Wellington... they probably did it for good reason, I just like the other one better...

[@echostarling84]

I just love how the guy didn't like Sharpe's status, but in war timing was important so he didn't want to let his opinion get in the way. By giving him the watch he was putting trust and expectation to keep up.

[@bluerock4456]

Actually, what he was doing was ensuring that a 'poorly-equipped' (for an officer) Sharpe didn't reflect badly on his commanding officer.

[@dungeonsanddobbers2683]

It was actually a fairly nasty dig at Sharpe's status as an officer promoted from the ranks. His words are that Sharpe "cannot rise to the purchase of a watch", the vast majority of officers in the British Army before the 1837 Cardwell Reforms were the wealthy elite who gained their rank through _purchase_ , while Sharpe was _risen_ from the ranks.

[@anon17472]

@@dungeonsanddobbers2683 if only they knew how much wealth Sharpe had concealed in the lining of his jacket

[@scratthesquirrel5242]

hei did promise to fully support the major in charge

[@frankgesuele6298]

@@dungeonsanddobbers2683 I remember reading that Wellington wouldn't purchase his next commission till he mastered his current one. Pity so many didn't follow his example.

[@thegray5730]

A more talented and versatile actor I've never seen, than the Yorkshire lad called Sean Bean.

[@BradBrassman]

Aye, Blades man!

[@logoseven3365]

The Gray Best death scenes ever!

[@justanotherbrickinthewall2843]

Maybe you should go out more 😜

[@dinoballz]

Did he die in this?

[@logoseven3365]

dinoballz Don’t know. But if he does it will be spectacular!

[@OsamaBinLooney]

gotta love Michael Byrne, he's always got that sly grin behind his serious expression like he knows something you don't

[@JamesJones333]

even when he's chasing the Jones boys!

[@samconduct1356]

@@JamesJones333 Guten Tag... Herr Jones

[@daynechastant]

...because he usually DOES.

[@timdyer5326]

Braveheart

[@OsamaBinLooney]

@@samconduct1356 "alright captain...whatever the hell that thing it...SINK it" -Admiral Kelly

[@Nounismisation]

Just how I imagine Wellington to have been. Dry, logical, clean behind a facade of chilliness... A great portrayal, evenly split on screen between Fraser (the actor) and Cornwell (the writer). Perhaps the best performance in the series.

[@michaeleaton5297]

Did you see the portrayal of Wellington in " Young Victoria"? I like this one better!

[@leftcoaster67]

Fraser always gave great performances. Even understated ones.

[@madjack1748]

I enjoyed the original Wellington actor, but Hugh Fraser did a fine job taking over that role for the rest of the series. It's too bad they couldn't bring back Hogan and Nairn.

[@teddypicker8799]

@@madjack1748 Yeah Hogan was only the first few episodes right? He played the role well too just a bit too aloof considering in the books he's close friends with Sharpe

[@CubeInspector]

​@@madjack1748 I liked the original one better as well but this one played the role very well too. It's like I prefer strawberries but blueberries are also good.

[@wiseowl239]

Sharpe's telephone voice in the presence of officers is very entertaining. With his men its "every bugger expects me to sort their bloody problems out". Well done to Sean Bean, cast and behind the cameras for the success of Sharpe.

[@Jerubarbaruah]

Bernard Cornwell absolutely loved Sean Bean's portrayal as Sharpe. I think he dedicated one of his books to him.

[@SantomPh]

he is in the presence of the one man who can make him bend over and pretend to be a nightstand.

[@sabriam]

I love it. Sharpe trying to contain his shock that the Prince Regent would think of him, excitement at his promotion, and irritation at Sir Augustus' disrespect at the same time. Wellington's amusement is everything.

[@beachedwhale23]

Nairn’s glee at reading the King’s message is so fun to watch. Michael Byrne is an incredible actor.

[@KibuFox]

Oh yes, and the "etc etc etc" followed by the 'blah blah blah' is perfect.

[@arctic_shadow578]

@@KibuFox legit how id read it lol

[@georgetirebiter4343]

Byrne is really charming as Major Nairn.

[@stephen2583]

The watch scene was perfectly brilliant. The art of Apologising without Apologising.

[@CubeInspector]

Wasn't apologizing. It was a dig at Sharpe for not being a wealthy aristocrat rather a soldier promoted through the ranks

[@cheezeofages]

I like how Sharpe knew that troublesome promotion was coming the second that guy mentioned a letter.

[@sillyking1991]

troublesome? sharpe wanted to be promoted...

[@MLaak86]

"Oh Christ... more politics... I just want to get through the war."

[@TheDolphinator8]

Getting annoyed over a promotion, now that's soldiering

[@guypierson5754]

Well, he got used, Welington KNEW about the letter and was holding it for the perfect moment to help his own aims, Sharpe has been promoted doubly bad: by a letter from the Prince, the exact opposite of what Sharpe is all about (Working hard and fighting hard, not getting political appointment) and has had it thrusted on him for the expedience of the situation for Wellington. He got played, by the Chess grandmaster of the time, Arthur Wellesly.

[@Nounismisation]

'ello Pycroft!

[@MarvinT0606]

Getting promoted by *the future King of the United Kingdom* , now that's soldiering!

[@tonyhaynes9080]

You should have seen how many I managed to piss off when I was rapidly promoted from Corporal to Sergeant. It was brilliant.

[@matthewthesaladbowl6315]

its like the soldiers today when they get promoted to corporal. The worst rank in the army

[@unacceptableviews1505]

This was such a great show. I watched it on PBS back when it aired and re-watched it a couple of years back. Worth every moment. Horatio Hornblower was another great series in this vein too. The good old days when television was worth watching, sigh.

[@odysseusrex5908]

The 1990s were a brief cultural revival in a general downward trend that has been going on since the 1970s.

[@ForeverNeverwhere1]

Cornwell modelled the Sharpe books on Capt Hornblower books, as an aside Cornwell taught me history.

[@konstantinosnikolakakis8125]

@The Home Project Channel “Modelled” is a bit of a stretch, more like, was inspired by them, as Sharpe and Hornblower are essentially polar opposites.

[@TheArgieH]

@@ForeverNeverwhere1 Both Sharpe and Hornblower had real life counterparts. I've got a book on the Naval Officer, but I am too idle to dig it out. There's a bit of Jack Aubrey thrown in the mix too.

[@anonymousanonymous9370]

@@TheArgieH sir thomas cochrane?

[@carlhicksjr8401]

I love Nairn in this.... ".... and by these presents appoint you Major in Our army in Portugal... blah-blah-blah-blah"

[@MareSerenitis]

Nairn is a great character well played. The way he's always deadly serious while being so informal and downright _polite_ is just delightful.

[@SantomPh]

In the book it is Nairn who is annoyed at the promotion (Augustus and Wellington are absent) and reads the letter in the same fashion

[@purgedome2386]

Yeah I remember the actor Byrne from Indiana Jones TLC 'tickets please' and also was in an episode of Yes Prime Minister.

[@theradgegadgie6352]

@@SantomPh Different character, although the same surname. This Major Nairn of the TV series was a replacement for Hogan when Brian Cox didn't return. That Nairn was a general. He did read the letter in a tone of annoyance, but he was being comically so. He was a friend of Sharpe's and pleased for him.

[@CoffinDodger49]

@@theradgegadgie6352 - wasn't that Brian Cox?

[@rosePetrichor]

Handing over the watch was both an attempt to save face by getting one little punch in on Sharpe but also showing that he is trusting and expecting Sharpe to carry out his mission. your timepiece was part of the accoutrements of a gentleman

[@patton1019]

Sharpe: I mean to go on Christmas Eve Sir "Capital idea. They'll be dead drunk" Washington: I agree

[@odysseusrex5908]

Washington attacked on Christmas night but, yeah.

[@warbacca1017]

I always love when characters have "friends at court"' that even they didn't know they had

[@Tridentus]

I haven't read Sharpe so I can't comment on how many liberties the TV show is taking, but I've read Hornblower multiple times, and the plotpoints in Sharpe always seem juvenile and lazy, as if it were written for kids and not for accuracy. Again though, the Hornblower TV series took similar liberties so colour me unsure. Although the fact he gets to L.Colonel in 6 years as a commoner without connections seems beyond ridiculous to me for starters.

[@SantomPh]

@@Tridentus Cornwell writes Sharpe as if he was at every significant battle from Trafalgar to Waterloo, thus making him the key player in the war against Boney. He was there when Nelson fought his last, helped the retreat to Coruña , took part in Vimiero, Torres Verdas (albeit always in a tangential role), the battle(s) of Salamanca, the march across the Pyrnees and the encounter at Quatre Bras plus Waterloo. His career actually ended as a Major, the Lt.Colonel was an appointment by the Prince of Orange and practically one off. By Sharpe's Devil he doesn't even bother using Colonel anymore

[@mkgaming5823]

@@Tridentus The books are REALLY detailed and great. And his story does follow a true story of a regiment, from one of the least disciplined with the worst officers to defeating the Old guard at waterloo

[@odysseusrex5908]

@@SantomPh What the heck was he doing at Trafalgar?

[@odysseusrex5908]

@@mkgaming5823 Interesting. What was the real regiment?

[@edl617]

Sergeant Charles Ewart was a Scottish soldier of the Royal North British Dragoons (more commonly known as the Scots Greys), famous for capturing the regimental eagle of the 45e Régiment de Ligne (45th Regiment of the Line) at the Battle of Waterloo. He was given a commission as an ensign (a second lieutenancy) in the 5th Veteran Battalion in 1816, and left the army when this unit was disbanded in 1821. He lived in Salford, and in his final years at Davyhulme, near Manchester, retiring on the full pay of an ensign, and died in 1846.

[@richfairclough123]

William Robertson... Field Marshal in WW1. The only man to rise from private to the Field Marshal in the history of the British Army... one serious fella

[@Damo2690]

@@richfairclough123 2 British Soldiers from ww2 started as Privates and ended as Brigadiers

[@stevengibson1546]

I think is tomb is outside Edinburgh Castle. Nearby is a pub bearing his name.

[@juliantheapostate8295]

@@Damo2690 Was one of them J. Enoch Powell?

[@YoungMusicalRebel]

@@juliantheapostate8295 Shout outs to my boy Enoch we miss you bud :(

[@hellstorme]

'Will you support the officer fully?' Shit my dude, I will loan him my watch if he needs it, the mission outweighs my sentiments. I feel that. Put the shit aside and get through it.

[@beatonthedonis]

The historical irony of Sharpe's promotion from the ranks is that it was Napoleon's army that was meritocratic and Wellington's army that was nepo baby.

[@jakew7982]

Promotion from the ranks did occur though.

[@moblinmajorgeneral]

In the beginning of the show, Wellington knows Sharpe will be challenged by the burdens of becoming an officer because he knows a senior NCO has zero tolerance for bullshit.

[@michalsoukup1021]

Actually, Welington's army in spain was pretty meritocratic compared to ANY army other than French. For one while a lot money was the prefered way to commision, you could do on just enough money to outfit one man and support yourself on the campaign. If you joined as a gentleman volunteer you would fight in ranks, and be given free commision when/if there was one which in war time would be quite soon. The one difference between this free commision and a bought one was you could not sell a free commision for a given number of years.

[@davidevans6755]

Interestingly in the recent books he's sort of retrofitted how easily Sharpe took to command...

[@JnEricsonx]

Didn't someone once comment that Napoleon would have liked Sharpe?

[@shadow-Sun]

I had forgotten how thoroughly entertaining and well written this show was ......

[@falconeshield]

It's alot better than the books

[@heathencat5236]

Positively one of the very best and most entertaining television series I've ever indulged in.

[@paulmccloud9395]

When you combine this with Blackadder, and imagine Hugh Laurie writing that letter...although Blackadder probably changed it before it was posted.

[@LutzDerLurch]

I think this is not a letter so much as a standard, printed with some blanks, filled in by a clerk and signed by the ruler officers comission.

[@dreadlindwyrm]

@@LutzDerLurch It certainly appears to follow the standard format for a set of letters patent, but whether it would be printed with gaps and filled in or whether a clerk would write it out as required is somewhat harder to tell. I'd lean towards it being written out freshly for a couple of reasons - it prevents there being blanks lying around that could be filled out by unorthodox means, it looks better - and since there are so few promotions the extra time isn't massively important -, and on top of that there were purchased and merit/seniority promotions in place at the same time. Sharpe's promotion here would appear to be merit based, unless his "friends" in court had bought him rank personally (unlikely if the Prince Regent was directly involved, as he could just have put Sharpe down for a non-purchase vacancy at his discretion).

[@LutzDerLurch]

@@dreadlindwyrm I have seen original Rev War specimen, which pretty clearly are printed. 'Back then' any decent clerk could relatively easily produce a fine hand written Document as a fake. But to produce a printed one, with fine copperplate engraved lettering and frills, takes several skilled and expensive trades to colaborate. Also, with some 70 to 90-odd regiments at the Time of the AWI, with 1-2 batallions each, and each batallion 10 companies strong, there is quite a stockpile of officers needing comissions, especially since there is considerable fluctuation from death, promotion, demotion, transfer, new junior officers etc.

[@dreadlindwyrm]

@@LutzDerLurch That's quite valid - but to the other side of the coin, if you can get a stack of printed forms it takes far less to produce bogus commissions. I guess it depends whether the British letters patent of the time had the hand produced paintings of the Royal Arms on or not, and if these would only be added *after* the document was written and signed by/on behalf of the monarch. It's something I should try to look into when I can find a good place to start, and where these would be registered, and whether there are surviving commisions (as in the document the officer received rather than any archive copy) in libraries or museums I can get to relatively simply.

[@LutzDerLurch]

@@dreadlindwyrm I believe the arms were printed as well. I believe those comissions did not normally leave the court as blanks, as they had to be signed by the king or on his behalf. So, if anyone was promoted in the field, it remained to be seen, if an actual comission was handed out later, and in either case communications delays had to be waited out until it arrived. I guess, that is the main issue with a 'field comission': it is not a done deal and to be considered temporary, until you get the 'upgrade'

[@jamesmilburn7569]

A great scene I have watched many times. I think the Colonels gift of the watch signals two things: 1. He wants his wife to be rescued and knows that the watch will actually help and 2. He needs to save face and show that he is still Big Daddy and it saves some face to lay that Sharpe cannot do his duty without the Colonels help. Sharpe, being a tactically aware guy, isn't going to refuse a timepiece based on some Colonels ego.

[@TonkarzOfSolSystem]

Also he gave his word that he'd support the major who led the detachment.

[@ianhruday9584]

He's condescending to Sharp in the most archaic sense of that word.

[@emameyer]

"human nature being what it is and not what we think it is" so well put

[@aaronpaul9188]

I always thought its "and not what the whigs think it is" referring to the political party in charge at the time that would make trouble.

[@LordEriolTolkien]

@@aaronpaul9188 you indeed have it aright, sir. Whigs it was

[@gc7820]

A rare example of the great Michael Byrne playing a good guy.

[@martinconnors5195]

I love Sean Bean. So damn cool. Stoic, tough, and rugged

[@pauljones731]

Makes me smile every time when Nairn reads out HRHs letter!

[@00BillyTorontoBill]

love the characters of wellington Nairn and Hogan... perfect support for Sharpe...no end to 'Take that you arrogant snob" scenes like this one. British had to almost fight themselves before an enemy..shows how good they were. Promotion by Merit is the way to go...not 'purchasing commissions.

[@kapitan19969838]

00Billy Wellington wouldn't be where he was if not for ''purchasable commissions''. I don't know about ya mate, but I like Archie where he ended up

[@DavBlc7]

The Prince Regent who Narin said at the start of the letter, was Prince George who later crowned King George IV. He was made Prince Regent when his father George III became permanently ill probably with dementia which was not known at the time.

[@bluerock4456]

@@DavBlc7 It was porphyria, medical folks believe.

[@47of74]

And this is how we say goodbye in Germany, Major Sharpe...

[@Heegaherger]

The Lanisters send their regards. lol

[@ackbarfan5556]

"I prefer the Austrian way." "Me too."

[@philipchiu9835]

If only Sharpe had the huge budget that the awful Napoleon movie had. What an awesome series this could have been with massive French, British, Spanish Portuguese armies in Spain

[@LordEriolTolkien]

I just read a bunch of the novels, and the battles described have thousands of men. The incongruity is amusing

[@Blagger3000]

A long overdue promotion.

[@Bazza1993ify]

A&A Britten Even a longer and overdue promotion when Sharpe gets promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

[@farmerned6]

@@Bazza1993ify Eh ? He's made a Brevet Major (not a real Major-technically just a first among equals Captain) 14 November 1812, then(I THINK)hes put on half-pay as a lieutenant during the peace of 1814 and then gets made a lieutenant colonel in the 5th Belgian Light Dragoons (A unit he never actually see's, commands or serves with) by the Prince of Orange before Waterloo , before taking command of the South Essex and being given official command and a Colonelcy by Nosey at the climax of the battle 18 June 1815 , so to go from Captain to full Colonel in less than 3 years , when there was a break in hostilities ,as a man that can't afford to buy his promotions, is surely record time?

[@Bazza1993ify]

Farmer ned 6 I guess so but I believe Sharpe deserved a higher rank then Lieutenant Colonel.

[@jasonthomas9167]

In the books, Sharpe is stunned at how quickly he goes from captain to major. From lieutenant, he had to fight tooth and nail for his captaincy. He had to take an eagle to first secure it, then regain it by Sharpe's Company by leading a forlorn hope. To Sharpe, the promotion to major happen so quickly he didn't know how to respond, since it was the first time he got promoted without having to do something insane.

[@roberthudson1959]

In reality, Sharpe would have been lucky to reach lieutenant, let alone his final rank of lieutenant colonel. Field-commissioned officers were generally relegated to service as quartermasters, hardly ever given field commands so that promotion could be earned, and lacked the financial resources to purchase one.

[@johnlach2199]

I like how Farthindale keeps looking over to Sharpe wondering if Sharpe set him up and only sees surprise.

[@anandmorris]

Love how Sharpe puts on his poshest "phone voice" 🤣

[@omega311888]

Phenomenal series! Sean Bean did a wonderful job, as did everyone else!

[@davegreenlaw5654]

I just now noticed Nairn's smirk there as Lord Wellington got Sir Augustus' assurance, since he knew exactly what was coming.

[@MM22966]

The only role Sean Bean walked away alive from....despite all chances to the contrary.

[@sudburylawyer]

Not true. He survived The Martian as well. Although in all fairness I expected him to het hit in the head by a golf ball at the end

[@TheNoybusiness]

@@sudburylawyer He didn't die as the Prince in "The True Bride" (Jim Henson's The StoryTeller) either.

[@DomWeasel]

Sean dies in all his other roles to make for all the times he should have died as Sharpe.

[@greywolf88]

@@TheNoybusiness He didn't die in movie "Ronins".

[@JnEricsonx]

@@greywolf88 National Treasure as well.

[@SegaRihdan]

3:30 Kudos to the man who as a gentlemen who has misgivings about the promotion instead notices how his command may lack for proper resouces avaliable to a gentlemen such as an accurate watch set to the same time as all other commanding officers in the military action soon to come. Don't hate on poor people, hate that they lack what they need.

[@Gist432]

Who else was severely distracted by his majesty's tune the British Grenadiers? By god man, i'm a Norwegian and still I feel fire in my chest by these majestic melodies. If you be a squire and a gentleman, you may reply.

[@giovanniacuto2688]

My grandfather served in the Grenadiers. My father settled for the South Wales Borderers

[@Laptop46]

Gives a nostalgic feel hearing the high pitched noise of a vacuum tube tv.

[@MindHunger]

"Human nature being what is it, and not what the weak think it is..." Explains things nicely.

[@TheCrystalShield]

Unfortunately he said "what the *Whigs* think it is" - the Whigs being the opposing political party to the Tories at that time.

[@i2aymond]

"You may borrow mine, sir."

[@Tyrfingr]

anytime they mention fredrickson in this series, im extra glued to the screen

[@ESFAndy011]

Fredrickson did not get enough screen time in this show, I swear. Every single second with him was amazing. *Takes wig off and fake teeth set out* "FIAHH!"

[@LudietHistoria]

God I love this channel and series

[@KRIMZONMEKANISM]

Pretty funny how Sir Augustus doubts Sharpe, but doesn't distrust the orders from higher up. So he gives him his watch and speaks with words that basically translate to: "I don't think you should be doing this, I don't think you CAN do this... prove me wrong, peasant."

[@brocksamson212]

"To be major in our army now in Spain, Protugal and bleh bleh bleh bleh" lolol

I keep watching these scenes and I am asking myself why the hell I did not watch this series so far??? I am really impressed by the dialogues and actors!

[@Shok]

I watched the whole series then read all the books. The books are outstanding as well.

[@titanscerw]

Briliant Scene! Sir!

[@inthedark334]

Interesting this film literally has more soul in interest in its characters and looks better than any of the crap that's being spread in Hollywood today

[@JayLeePoe]

This feels like a live action conversation between NPCs and the MC in an RPG

[@AngeliqueKaga]

I have enjoyed every single Sharpe episode!

[@timjohnson1199]

The Sharpe series was an instance where I saw the TV show before I read the books. I very much enjoyed both of them. Wish the savory Elizabeth Hurley was in the shows more often.

[@davidoconnell4100]

What a cast. Michael Byrne in particular always a great turn.

[@sonofthewolfguardianofthef1214]

3:35 this is actually a really nice scene that it that guys way of saying don’t die without breaking the British stoic demeanor

[@POPE_FRANC1S]

Getting promoted, now thats soldiering.

[@BusquedaBlues]

clips started popping in my feed and now I want to watch the whole thing damn it.

[@robertwalker5794]

IKR!? But I’m have a devil of a time trying to find it.

[@documentationslave397]

Robert Walker fmovies.to , use your phone because there’s a fuck ton of ads on PC etc. Also, you can find the order of episodes on Wikipedia

[@nocturnalemission6822]

I ask only for the strength to defend my PEOPLE!

[@MegaWetwilly]

I love how the one reading the scroll is so enjoying seeing the colonel squirm

[@DiscoRaptor]

Might have to watch Sharpe again. Loved that show...

[@DavidMartin-jz1je]

One heck of a series wished they had done more

[@elluisito000]

Excelling at one's function, while cultivating meaningful relationships with the top management: that what I call good carrer advancing!

[@amazonlife2609]

Great to see Hugh Fraser in yet another classic series.

[@MPlain]

Loved this mini series.

[@tomtom21194]

The acting from all in the scene is wonderful

[@alexbenstead5922]

Still stands up as quality programme today.

[@angelfan16]

Unpopular opinion: I love both Wellingtons.

[@WilfredIvanhoe]

When I grew up, I learned to know Hugh Fraser as Captain Hastings, the less-talented friend of Hercule Poirot. Seeing "Hastings" as Wellington is a bit like seeing Rowan Atkinson as Julius Caesar.

[@royperkins3851]

He's a very talented actor and is a very good Wellington I've seen one to many cockneys placed in the BBCs revisionist history specials nice to see someone who isn't a foreign born fraud play a national hero !

[@WilfredIvanhoe]

@@royperkins3851 I never said he isn't a good actor. It's just that when you have learned to know someone from a certain role, it's always the first thing you see, whatever character the actor is playing -- especially if they have a memorable face. Just think about actors like Patrick Stewart (Jean-Luc Picard), Kelsey Grammer (Frasier), the aforementioned Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean), or Patricia Routledge (Hyacinth Bucket).

[@hughmac13]

@@royperkins3851 If you say so. I quite like Hugh Fraser (not only because he has a good name) but he's as much a "foreign-born fraud" to the role as the cockneys to whom you (no doubt apocryphally) refer. Wellesley, as he was still known at the historical point depicted in this video, was Irish.

[@I_Don_t_want_a_handle]

@@hughmac13 As Wellington famously did not say 'being born in a stable does not make one a horse.' He did all he could to distance himself from the land of his birth.

[@ScottyShaw]

Now I want to see Blackaddus

[@englishmaninfrance661]

I've got the whole series on DVD - brilliant :)

[@danielnewton5867]

I love this series!

[@soakingbook]

Michael Bryne (Nairn) was also memorable as Vogel in Indian Jones and the Last Crusade.

[@tmb1065]

And he was the creepy soldier in Braveheart

[@KibuFox]

I dunno why, but I love how the major just glosses over the prince's various titles.

[@Shamino1]

Love the super high pitch drone that's in the entire clip computing me to become a Manchurian candidate.

[@MegaParrotMan]

That was a cracking series. And it’s on Prime Streaming right now.

[@tmb1065]

REEALLY?

[@yugandali]

I love the way he reads the royal proclamation: etc etc, blah blah blah.

[@simonbraybrooke4140]

Great series this. Even better than the books. Outstanding.

[@farmerned6]

different maybe, but the books are far richer

[@jamesmasztalerz5930]

"Major Nairn, read that letter from the Prince Regent in respect of Captain Sharpe, Prince Regent, it seems that Sharpe has friends at Court too Colonel, though in London, not in Lisbon"

[@ShingenNolaan]

'Rules!" Killed me.

[@williambodin5359]

The scene as written in the book is so much better. I understand why they had to compress 3 scenes into one here. I do. But the bit from the book was just so completely delicious. I go back and re-read it every now and then just to relish it. (One of my favorite snacks has become ham and mustard on toast!) PS Sharpe likes his toast pale.

[@82dorrin]

The most grandiose way of loaning someone a watch ever.

[@geroldatkins8146]

Loved this show

[@TheAncientAstronomer]

Captain Hastings time travels without his best friend Poirot??? Unthinkable!😱

[@tommiatkins3443]

Having the eye of the Prince of Wale? Now that Courtiering

[@MrGoku-ig7hi]

I love how they just yada yada, what the Prince Regent was saying!😅

[@paddypup1836]

I love this program

[@JB-yb4wn]

Sean Bean is so good in this entire series, kind of makes you wonder why such an obviously talented actor was squandered in such a dreck like Jupiter Rising.

[@thomasfredriksson640]

Even actors have to eat sometimes..

[@JB-yb4wn]

@@thomasfredriksson640 Yes but Jupiter Rising is a career killer, you have got to be starving to act in that picture. Sean deserves far better parts, this whole series shows what kind of calibre actor he is.

[@thomasfredriksson640]

@@JB-yb4wn I agree, but I think it's up to the producers, directors etc who they want in a certain role. Sean Bean was excellent as Boromir , for instance..

[@JB-yb4wn]

@@thomasfredriksson640 That he was, and you are right. Well I hope that he asked for a ton of money for being in Jupiter Rising.

[@thomasfredriksson640]

@@JB-yb4wn I hope he got it. Never bothered finishing Jupiter Ascending.. To much of a stinker..

[@Taooflu]

Amazing series... those battles were very unique and kind of comical to think about. 2-3 rounds per minute... an eternity waiting to shoot or be shot.

[@cee9110]

It would usually be a volley or two and a charge

[@JnEricsonx]

Thats if you were GOOD. Rifles were more of a pain in the ass to load than normal muskets. Now if the ACTUAL Sharp's rifles existed by then(it'd be a good 30? years) later, his boys would have LOVED them.

[@jayslomine4280]

Such an eloquent and glorious time….

[@bigbake132]

I liked this episode. This was a fun one. Also that scene with Elizabeth Hurley.....