MovieChat Forums > Sharpe's Challenge (2007) Discussion > Worth watching the rest if you enjoyed t...

Worth watching the rest if you enjoyed this one?

posted 19 years ago by angelfish81
25 replies | jump to latest

OK, so I didn't get into the previous Sharpe installments when they were shown on ITV (what can I say, I was young :p), but I watched this one and I liked it.

So I ask - was it a good example of what to expect from the others in the series? Better? Worse? Average?

I'm considering trying to catch up on some/all of the others, and would appreciate some opinions on them in comparison to this one, which I have seen.

Thanks in advance for any replies given. :)

[–] seandirector 19 years ago

I haven't seen Challenge yet, but I'm sure you would enjoy the originals. I would warn agains Gold and Justice though - those are particularly weak. Also keep in mind that they were shot on a much smaller budget than Challenge, so the battle scenes aren't as impressive. But besides that, they are excellent!

-Sean

[–] losman42 19 years ago

The original's are great! If you enjoyed this one you will enjoy the others, especially as there are a few more regular characters and loads of great lines and fights. They are on a smaller budget, and over 10 years old mostly, but they still stand up really well.Start with Rifles and work forward in order - there's nothing worse than finding out who dies before it happens!

[–] angelfish81 19 years ago

Thanks you guys, I appreciate you taking the time to give me your opinions. :)

And I wish I'd paid more attention the first time around now, lol, then I'd have already seen them. Ah well. I don't suppose ITV will reshow them any time soon, and I only have the standard 5 channels, so I'll have to take a glance at eBay sometime...

[–] hawkdeath 19 years ago

Tesco's are doing the DVD's for about a fiver I think.

(Didn't look too hard - I've already got them all :o) but they were definitley on offer)

[–] danny_west2002 19 years ago

yeah i have purchased 6 so far from tesco however the only one they have now is sharps justice have they only relesed the later episodes as i want rifles and waterloo both my favorites

Dyin' ain't much of a livin', boy

[–] dr_strangelove_69 19 years ago

Yep, totally agree. The original series was superb. But as has been said, watch them in order. I started watching the series from 'Gold' onwards, and although this didnt affect it for me, I had to go back and watch the others afterwards. The DVD boxed set is coming down in price rapidly in most places and the dvds themsevles can be bought cheaply if you look hard enough. If you want to play it cheap though, go to e-bay or carboot sales, you'll get the whole lot on video for a few quid. Without doubt the best series ever aired on British televison. If you liked this one, it would be tragic for you not to see the others.

[–] darlin_86 19 years ago

I remember Sharspe from my childhood and bought the whole set on DVD, not seen the new one (evil bad reception) but if you enjoyed it you'll probably like the others just be prepared for a formula which repeats in nearly everyone.

Sharpe gets injured whilst defeating/fighting evil character
Sharpe will either sleep with or get an offer of sex (In all fairness who wouldnt try to sleep with Sean Bean)
Good will triumph over evil.
Whoever Sharpe befriends (excluding the chosen men) will die in a heroic fashion

Still the best mini-series ever (although band of brothers is a close second)should be compulsary viewing, hope you enjoy the others (sword & enemy are my particular favourites)

[–] dr_strangelove_69 19 years ago

Yeah, that's usually the formula, although I enjoy them so much, I can never find fault (OK I spotted modern railway fencing in 'Justice' but that's petty and also tells you how much I need to get out more!)

My favourites must be 'Siege' and 'Enemy'. Liz Hurley in her heyday, phwoarrrrrrrrr'. I must say, Sharpe is on a par with Bond when it comes to girls, and he aint too loyal either, ah well, it's a soldier's life I suppose, he he.

[–] andrew-holroyd1 19 years ago

You forgot whistfully looking in to the distance at the end of every episode before trudging off into the hills. ^_^

Thanks To Sharpes Challenge I went back and rewatched the DVDs (got them for my dad last Christmas) definately one of the best series to come out of our merry corner of the world. ^_^

[–] angelfish81 19 years ago

You guys are great, thanks so much for all the answers given. :)

So Amazon currently selling the full 15 disc boxset for £48.97 & p+p would be a good deal then? (Works out at something like £3.50 a disc, I think.)

And me with a birthday coming up, how fortunate... ;)

[–] bougainvillea 19 years ago

That is a great price! And Happy Birthday!

[–] angelfish81 19 years ago

Aww, thank you. :)

[–] matthewpickin 19 years ago

They are all amazing, Harper, Sharpe, Brilliant!!!! A worthwhile investment, i could sit all day watching them, of course some of the budgets are different, and you can see this, but they do the best they can with the resources given to them. Hooray for Sharpe!

[–] n0036514 19 years ago

Yeah really enjoyed it like all the old ones
but this might be a silly thing but i didnt like the new intro i really liked the old intro with the picture of his rifle and jacket with the music, but i could just be sad, i was waiting for about 10 minutes with the new episode for the old intro but no luck

[–] matthewpickin 19 years ago

Wow, thats exactly like me, i was like "where is the intro," maybe they will edit it into the dvd when it comes out, or it will be unlike all the others

[–] rojamuk 19 years ago

I bought the box set on ebay from a dealer in Hong Kong last year, best £36 I ever spent on DVD's.

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] danny_west2002 19 years ago

it was advertiesd as sharpes enemy last week

Dyin' ain't much of a livin', boy

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] katty_brau 18 years ago

If anyone's still looking to buy the box set, it was £36 in Woolworths when I got mine...about ten days ago. It's worth a look!

"Period military is not the dress code of a straight man." - Owen, Torchwood

[–] gregoryland8 18 years ago

i got mine on ebay about 20 quid LOL well worth it but a few discs are scratched shame , and the worst are revenge and justice lucky for me i can see em on UKTV drama and gold every saturday and wednesday

[–] randommovies2002 18 years ago

Have you tried smoothing out the scratches with one of those disc buffing kits? It has worked on some of mine.

There are also a few home remedies that might help
http://www.wikihow.com/Fix-a-Scratched-CD

[–] gregoryland8 18 years ago

thanks ill give it a try , next time i go to my local rentals ill ask them to give it a look tyou never know it may work.
cheers!

[–] randommovies2002 18 years ago

You're welcome. I hope it works. Another suggestion:

Usually scratched DVDs will still play on a computer without skipping. If you or someone you know has a DVD burner, make a copy of the dvd. The copy should play without skipping.

Good luck! :-)

[–] bdave121 18 years ago

I got all 14 for 35 US dollars plus shipping. Ran through them in about 2 weeks.
Brilliant! If you liked Challenge, then seek out the rest. You will not be disappointed!