1809, alors que le Tyrol est occupé par la Bavière. Quand Severin Anderlan retourne après avoir fait ses études dans son pays natal, il découvre que les Français alliés de la Bavière ont détruit sa village et tué sa famille. Anderlan tire sur des soldats français et fuit avec l'uniforme d'un Hauptmann dragon bavarois. Il apprend dans un bal de cour à Innsbruck que les troupes de Napoléon envahiront bientôt, et organise la résistance armée de ses compatriotes.
It is 1813. The First Battalion of the South Essex Regiment has suffered terrible losses in the fighting in Spain and the entire regiment is in danger of being disbanded as a result. Major Sharpe (Sean Bean) and Sergeant Major Harper (Daragh O'Malley) are sent back to England to find out why replacements have not been sent. Sharpe is told that the Second Battalion of the South Essex is drawing pay for over 700 soldiers, but when he arrives at the Second Battalion's barracks, he finds only eleven men, even though there is regular recruiting for the regiment. Sharpe senses something is amiss and is determined to get to the bottom of things.
In 1813, the war turns in favour of the British. Lord Wellington (Hugh Fraser) is poised to invade southern France after triumphing in Spain. The Comte de Maquerre (Christian Brendel), a French nobleman, offers to raise a rebellion in Bordeaux against Napoleon. Major General Ross (James Laurenson), is unconvinced, as his spies have reported no discontent in the region, but agrees that a brigade can be sent as a probe if the Comte can provide a secure base; he offers a family castle, though he admits that it is garrisoned.
The film begins in January 1793 as a 17 year old Hornblower joins a ship of the line, Justinian. Hornblower is introduced to his shipmates, one of whom is the ruthless Jack Simpson, who rules the midshipman's berth as the bully he is.
L'amiral Pellew interrompt la réception de mariage de Hornblower et le charge de localiser un navire britannique qui a disparu au large des côtes françaises, où les troupes de Napoléon sont engagées dans des activités secrètes.
At the beginning of the series, Richard Sharpe (Sean Bean) is a sergeant in the 95th Rifles serving in Portugal in 1809. When he singlehandedly saves the life of General Sir Arthur Wellesley (David Troughton in the first two films, then Hugh Fraser for the following films) from a group of French cavalrymen, Wellesley gives Sharpe a battlefield commission, appointing him a lieutenant. Sharpe is placed in charge of a detachment of the 95th Rifles: The term used for his men, 'chosen men' reflected the men's acknowledgment of marksmanship performance, rather than rank; it granted some privileges (such as avoiding certain routine duties) to the 'chosen men'. Patrick Harper (Daragh O'Malley) eventually becomes his best friend and is promoted to sergeant and later sergeant major.
1783. Le Parlement est conduit par une coalition entre Charles James Fox et Lord Frederick North. Le roi George III, qui ne les aime guère, est satisfait lorsqu'ils commencent à perdre de leur influence et décide de nommer Premier ministre William Pitt le Jeune. Pitt, dont le père, le comte de Chatham, était un important homme d'état, a seulement 24 ans et il a du mal à être pris au sérieux par les autres hommes politiques. Néanmoins, Pitt est déterminé à lutter contre la corruption et à redonner à l'Angleterre une place importante. Il décide de dissoudre le Parlement et, après qu'il a gagné largement les élections, il s'installe au 10 Downing Street et travaille à plusieurs réformes, y compris le renforcement de la Royal Navy.