DVDs

Sharpe's Regiment
Sharpe's Siege

Full review of Sharpe's Regiment
Full review of Sharpe's Siege
Buy Region 1 Sharpe's Regiment
Buy Region 1 Sharpe's Siege

By Richard Moore

Where to start? Well, as someone who has spent a hideous amount of money buying the videos of this series, I have to say that my vid player gets an extremely limited workout nowadays.

My format of choice is DVD, which offers a huge boost to the image and much better sound. I won't even go into the durability issue of discs over tapes as it is a battle that the older technology just cannot compete in.

So, the question for Sharpe fans is one of "do I re-buy the TV movies on DVD or not?"

Well, as far as Sharpe's Regiment and Sharpe's Siege are concerned it is easy to recommend them.

I just cannot believe the difference in enjoyment watching Sharpe's Regiment and Sharpe's Siege on DVD makes. The picture quality is superb and, in all my years of reviewing DVDs, I have not before seen such brilliant transfers from TV.

The sharpness (excuse an unavoidable pun) is razor keen and the colours are rich. Contrast is beautifully handled and I cannot remember seeing one video artefact or visual annoyance in either Sharpe's Regiment or Sharpe's Siege.

I mention the two movies together because you can not only buy them individually, but also in a double disc set. This makes it a much more tempting - and cheaper - package.

The only sticking point would be non-Region 1 or 2 fans who will not be able to play the DVDs if they do not have a multi-region player.

I hope Carlton will encode these two movies - and their siblings - for all regions, or at least add Region 4 versions.

DVD Extras: Photo Gallery from the Sharpe series, Sharpe fact file.

Comments: The rotating stills in the gallery will bring back a lot of memories for fans and is nicely produced. The Sharpe fact file has interesting information. I would have loved to have seen a making-of doco and interviews with the cast members - the series deserved it!

Conclusion: These two movies are worth the investment.