Sharpe (1993)

S1E1 Sharpe's Rifles

In Portugal, 1809, Sergeant Richard Sharpe saves Sir Arthur Wellesley’s life and is rewarded with a lieutenant’s commission. His first assignment: cross enemy lines to Casa Antiga and find missing agent James Rothschild, who holds a banker’s draft crucial for British army funds. Sharpe takes command of the 95th Rifles under Captain Murray, but the men are undisciplined louts who resent an officer risen from the ranks. After a surprise French attack kills Murray, Sharpe is left in charge. The Chosen Men nearly mutiny, but the arrival of Spanish allies Major Blas Vivar and Comandante Teresa stops the fight. They offer to guide Sharpe to Casa Antiga on their way to Torrecastro. Reluctantly, he agrees, trying to win over his men along the way. At Casa Antiga, there’s no sign of Rothschild.