Lost in Adaptation: Sharpe

Agreed, the TV series didn't have the budget to pull off the scope of the books. But to give it some credit, without the TV show, we wouldn't have had Sharpe's Rifles, one of my favourites of the books - it was basically written to give them a first episode and introduce the characters. The show also did a lot to bring the books to more popularity and get extra readers. But yes, the epic battles between half a dozen people on each side are a letdown. (I think that's one reason why Rifles works the best of the episodes - it was conceived as a TV episode, and so the action is confined and small scale). Have you read the Warlord trilogy, Cornwell's Arthurian series? Those are, IMHO, even more awesome, but may all the gods help us if they get a TV series with the same budget as Sharpe.

Steve Harper

Not so much staying away from then a treating them very carefully as I have to do twice as much research to not embarrass myself. I'll add Band of Brothers to the to do list ^_^

Dominic Noble

Question about historical adaptations. Are you considering doing an episode on something like Band of Brothers? Its one of my favorite movies/mini-series and it is based off a book, but that book is a memoir. I do know that at least one person who was shown to die in the series didn't actually die, but are you staying away from things based on real events?

Reo Scrolls

Oh no! I really loved Horatio Hornblower when I saw it, though I will fully admit its been over ten years since I last saw it. Now I don't know if I want to re-watch or maybe I should finally just read the books. Also I totally third that recommendation on the Temeraire series. It does a really good job of both incorporating historical figures/events and also imaging how the world and cultures of that time would be effected and would each react to the presence of dragons.

Reo Scrolls

I had a similar reaction to The Egyptian. I LOVED the film when I was younger but once I discovered it was a book and read it, oh my LAWD did I change my tune. The film was an absolute travesty of an adaptation. But...with time, the heart does soften. It's still not a great adaptation, but, fifteen years after first reading the book, it is still my favorite novel, and now a guilty pleasure movie. Just never read/watch back-to-back.

Devon

I feel a bit cheated if Sean Bean doesn't die in a movie.

Devon

This reminds me a bit of a book/mini-series pairing regarding US History. TNT adapted the book Killer Angels into a great TV miniseries called Gettysburg. It aired in the mid-90's and had the budget and passion that Sharpe looks to have been lacking. The other book (Gods and Generals) was adapted as well though it wasn't as good of a film. Casting changes and a few other elements left me not as engaged. Though, a good part of that could be due to emotional preconceptions going into the story. Both books are worth a read.

Devon

Yeah might do but I gotta warn ya; got some similar feelings towards the Hornblower's show as I do Sharpe's. I'm afraid Sherlock is officially on the Never List for reasons I will make clear when I do that video.

Dominic Noble

Ok, a few years ago I lost my mind and went nuts for Horatio Hornblower. Never read the books, but loved the Ioan Gufferd (no idea how to write his last name) series. Every thought about touching those. and just for kicks...um...Sherlock?

David Perez

Thanks for the review. So Sean Bean doesn't die after the first season or first movie? I used to read those old James A Michener books. It is what got me interested in Alaska. The Sharpe books kinda sound like that. Taking fictional main characters and entwine them in real history.

LS Greger

Yes yes yes yes yes YES. Totally second Jami here! I love the Temeraire books and I get the impression that you (the Dom, I mean) would love them too. If you want more awesome alt-Napoleonic-history fun, also check out the Bloody Jack books by L.A. Meyer (starts as an almost typical girl-dresses-up-as-boy-and-goes-to-sea story, but it morphs into the main character, Jackie Faber, kicking huge amounts of ass all over the world). There is also, for a more LiA relevant option, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, which was recently turned into a tv show. I could only barely stand to watch the first episode--I think it's a fascinating example of faithfulness to the book going wrong in just about every possible way (all the little details--well, most of them--are there but the soul of the story is totally missing).

Amy Reynolds

I have a fondness for history, so I'm thinking of actually picking this series up.

Meg Scrabble

Since I never saw the show or read the books I'll contribute something that is only barely on topic. If you ever want to read a Napoleonic fiction series with fantasy elements, I recommend Naomi Novik's Temeraire. It's the Napoleonic War - with dragons! <a href="http://www.naominovik.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://www.naominovik.com/</a>