Sharpe’s War
TV Documentary
by Paul Chamberlain, UK
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Bernard Cornwell on the old ramparts of Ciudad Rodrigo, and
The History Channel will be screening a four-part series on the Peninsular War, entitled Sharpe’s War. Best-selling author Bernard Cornwell presents this history of the Peninsular War, immortalised by his famous character ‘Sharpe’ of the 95th Rifles. Filmed at the sites of the conflict, spectacular graphics and expert interviews bring ‘Sharpe’s War’ to life. The series also includes interviews and commentary from Duncan Anderson, Charles Esdaile and Ian Fletcher.
I asked Ian what he thought of this venture;
As to the quality of the script, Ian continued;
The programme for the series is detailed below. The History Channel repeats its programmes and so if you miss it the first time then look on their website for future timings.
Episode 1 - Napoleon's Worst Mistake
(Tuesday 18th November at 8.00pm)
In 1807, Napoleon attacked Portugal, which had failed to assist him in implementing a European blockade of Britain. Soon after, Napoleon also ousted the Spanish royal family, placing his own brother on the throne. Expecting to be welcomed as a liberator from backward and corrupt autocratic government, instead Napoleon and his French troops sparked a national revolt. The ferocity of Spanish and Portuguese resistance sparked the first ‘guerrilla’ war, and a conflict of infamous barbarity filled with atrocities ensued.
Britain sent an army to help its oldest ally Portugal, and its new ally Spain, against Napoleonic aggression. Under Sir Arthur Wellesley it was initially successful, but all advantage was thrown away by a truce that caused outrage in London. Later, in the face of Napoleon's advance, Sir John Moore was forced to lead the British army into a desperate, nightmarish retreat through mountains and freezing conditions to Corunna. There a hard-fought battle ensured the British army was able to escape. However, it looked like Spain would soon fall to Napoleon.
Episode 2 - To The Lines of Torres Vedras
(Tuesday 25th November at 8.00pm)
After Sir John Moore's death at Corunna, Sir Arthur Wellesley resumed command of the British army in the Iberian Peninsula, attempting to throw the French armies of Napoleon back across the Pyrenees. However, after victories at Oporto and Talavera, Wellesley was forced to retreat back into Portugal, where he sheltered from the French behind the Lines of Torres Vedras -- one of the great military engineering feats of the period. The French army that had pursued him found itself isolated in a hostile country, and was soon on the brink of starvation. It was forced to make a bitter and
ignominious retreat from the gates of Lisbon.
Episode 3 - The Spanish Ulcer
(Tuesday 2nd December at 8.00pm)
As a bloody and perpetual guerrilla war takes its toll on the French, who are increasingly disheartened, and as Napoleon diverts troops away from Spain for his Russian war, Wellington's British army advances again into Spain. The British take the two key towns of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz after murderous assaults. Wellington then conducts one of his battlefield masterpieces at Salamanca, smashing
the French field army. Madrid is liberated from the French, but defeat at Burgos meant yet another retreat back to Portugal, and Madrid is for the time being abandoned.
Episode 4 - Over The Pyrenees
(Tuesday 9th December at 8.00pm) In 1813, Wellington finally has the resources to defeat the French decisively. He advances into Spain as far as Vittoria, where he wins another great victory on the battlefield. As the French flee the carnage, the army abandons the accumulated loot of 5 years occupation. Some British soldiers become millionaires overnight from the loot. In a slow, methodical campaign, Wellington and his Spanish and Portuguese allies push the French army of Marshal Soult back through the Pyrenees. The final battle of the Peninsular War is fought at Toulouse. Ironically, it was fought a few days after Napoleon had abdicated.
The History Channel has a very good web-site, packed full of programme listings, information, competitions and games; and you can register with them to receive a regular newsletter.
Their website address is www.thehistorychannel.co.uk
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When a TV Company produces a film documentary on the Napoleonic period, it is invariably about Napoleon, or the famous battle that took place in Belgium in 1815. No Producer has ever focused on the Peninsula Campaign and produced either a single documentary on this event, or indeed a whole series. Until now that is!