[holymoly]

I've read all the books and seen about half the films. As is often the case, I think the books are much better. Furthermore, you can tell they've skimped on production costs. We're talking about the clash of battalions, divisions and armies.

That usually seems to be the case. To do the "Sharpe's" books justice would require the budget of a Hollywood big-screen release, rather than a made-for-TV movie.

Still, I've enjoyed the movies immensely. E.G. Pete Postlethwaite's performance as the evil "Sgt. Obadiah Hakeswill" in "Sharpe's Company" and "Sharpe's Enemy" was unforgettable.

[McGarrett]

Agreed. In fact, one of my first thoughts when seeing news of a new movie set in India was whether Postletwaite would be back as Hakeswill.