In the late 90's a series of eight TV movies based on C.S. Forester's "Horatio Hornblower" novels turned an unknown Welsh actor by the name of Ioan Gruffudd into an international heart throb and helped launch him into a currently blossoming big screen career in Hollywood.
Several years earlier however, a young British actor by the name of Sean Bean found similar success with fourteen "Sharpe" TV movies made between 1993-1997. Bean of course has gone on to become a household name for his work in the likes of "Troy", "The Lord of the Rings", "Goldeneye", "Ronin", "National Treasure", "Flightplan", "Patriot Games" and countless other films.
The Richard Sharpe stories, which even author Bernard Cornwell describes as "a land-based version of Forester's Hornblower books", followed this charismatic and handsome officer in the British Army during the 19th Century Napoleonic Peninsular wars, in the midst of the desperate battles and missions of these conflicts.
Now, nearly a decade since the last adventure "Sharpe's Waterloo", work has begun on a two-part mini series for ITV entitled "Sharpe's Challenge" which begins filming on 3rd November up until Christmas on location in Rajasthan, India.
The storyline is set two years after the Duke of Wellington crushes Napoleon at Waterloo. Dispatches from India tell of a local Maharaja, Khande Rao, who is threatening British interests there. Wellington sends Sharpe to investigate on what turns out to be his most dangerous mission to date.
When a beautiful general's daughter is kidnapped by the Indian warlord, the tension mounts, leaving Sharpe no option but to pursue the enemy right into its deadly lair. Deep in the heart of enemy territory he also has to keep at bay the beautiful but scheming Regent, Madhuvanthi, who is out to seduce him.
More details on the project can be found at the Sharpe Appreciation Society, whilst the full fourteen movie series from the 90's can be found on DVD in single releases and box-sets.
Thanks to 'Derek'.
