Portugal 1813. A band of deserters, including Sharpe's old enemy, Obadiah Hakeswill, have captured two women, one the wife of a high-ranking English officer, and are holding them hostage for ransom. Sharpe is given the 60th Rifles and a Rocket troop, as well as his majority to rescue the women. But while Sharpe may be able to deal with his old enemy, he has yet to face a newer threat, the French Major Pierre Ducos.

• Celtic Films Entertainment
• ITV Central
• Sean Bean
• Daragh O'Malley
• Hugh Fraser
• Pete Postlethwaite
• Assumpta Serna
• Elizabeth Hurley
• Helena Michell
• Michael Byrne