"The "South Essex" using Perry Plastics" Topic

Some time ago this post
TMP link
appeared, I actually found it quite troubling, I just can not see how someone can not enjoy the Sharpe TV series.

I said at the time I have to do something to channel my anger, so decided to paint up the South Essex, using Perry Plastics.

I am not a great painter, but I feel better after doing this unit and posting this blog post.

fuentesdeonoro.blogspot.com

Thanks for looking,

John

ps there is an embedded contest with a free FR Sir Thomas Picton figure as a prize for the one who knows his history of the South Essex!!

Oh, for crying out loud… You find it "troubling" that not everyone agrees with you?
Channel your anger?????

Jeez Louise…
Whatever happened to tolerance for other people's opinions?

*I* find it troubling that discovering that other people do not agree with you angers you!

I'm sorry John but I felt the first 3 episodes of the series very disappointing for its directing, acting and writing. But this is probably because I loved the books so much….the shows couldn't compare.

I too am painting my Perry Plastics as the South Essex

Correct me if I'm wrong,but the South Essex are fictional aren't they??

I would rather poke my eyes out with dull bayonets than watch Sharpe!
It does for Napoleonics what The Patriot did for AWI! Well,maybe not THAT bad, but bad nonetheless!

there,now you can hate me too! :-)

Bob

Jeez Louise once again… Can't anybody read for comnprehension?

Why ANYBODY would put either the Sharpe books or TV show on a pedestal is beyond me. I like them as escapist fluff, no more.

My main point is bewilderment about why anyone would be "angered" and "troubled" that everybody does not love them both…
They are NOT Citizen Kane, or the Godfather, or The Man Who Would Be King, nor are they War and Peace. I have been reading the books since Sharpe's Eagle, complete with the flaring nostrils on the paperback cover art, and ripped bodices, weird flags, dragoons (?) and incorrect facings. They are Harlequin Romances for Napoleonics buffs.

I have bought and read them all because basically I have no taste, and like a predictable potboiler to read after a hard day's work, with my feet up on my front porch railing and a beer. They are quite adequate for that. But a cause for "troubled" and "angered"??? Give me a break.

"Fun", yes. "Great", no.
You can keep your damned dull bayonets away from MY eyes, thank you very much.

Full disclosure, I have not seen any of the TV series, save a few "Greatest Hits" clips on Youtube. If they were cheaper, I would buy the box sets of DVDs, but I would rather buy the Hornblower ones, if I could afford them.

Calm down John! lol!

Bob

Nah, I'm with John – both print and film versions are fluff. Entertaining fluff, perhaps, but fluff. (So's Hornblower, Dr. Who, Star Wars, Titanic, Avatar…).

*and*

It's silly to get your panties in a twist because someone does not share your taste.

(and I have read all the Sharpe books, and seen all but one or two of the newer Sharpe "movies".)

I believe you gentlemen need to look up the meaning of "tongue in cheek' before you comment further!!

John

Yes indeed the South Essex are fictional………

John

I enjoy watching Sharp because it is escapist adventure… and can I say what a nice unit yoiu have painted up. I wish I had the skill of so many of the wargamers who put their units up for show.

Rob

Hi John, not a bad effort on the South Essex, I really like the books, I haven't watched much of the series, but find the series useful for making my Sharpe's conversions.

Hi John
They look great and I really like what you've done with the basing.
None of the SHARP "stuff" (Books or TV Series) troubles me; but if it troubles you that I'm not troubled, I might find that troubling.
;o)
Cheers

Hello John,

Just thought I'd look in here and offer some support. I'm another who enjoyed the Sharpe series. personally I felt no need to pick the series to bits, I simply enjoyed it for what it is was/is, an entertaining Napoleonic action adventure series. I still watch the occassional episode and always enjoy it.

Lovely little unit again, shame you couldnt have modelled one of the 95th with 2 fingers raised in a gesture of defiance to the critics :-)

All the best John,
Lee.

"Entertaining fluff, perhaps, but fluff. "

Maybe so, but comparing them with the complete shyte that was "The Patriot" (95th R) is going a step, nay a parsec too far!!!

Really nice job on those. Love the filthy clothing and the flags. Where did you find the South Essex colors. I know the feature briefly in a couple of episodes but not long enough or clear enough to see all that lovely detail.

From a a fellow Sharpe fan and proud owner of all the books and all the naff DVDs.

Thanks finally some fans!!!

to John the OFM, you can get the full set of dvd's from the UK for 25pds link A multi-region DVD player is less than 100$, so it is a really good deal

The flags are from Maverick flags, there is a link to them in the blog post.

John

With respect John some of us would think that anything over $10 USD was money poorly spent.

Maybe so, but comparing them with the complete shyte that was "The Patriot" (95th R) is going a step, nay a parsec too far!!!
>>You're right! As much as I do not like the Sharpe series,it is a bit better, historically than the Patriot!

Bob

Wow. John., that escalated quickly. I mean, that really got out of hand fast!

It jumped up a notch.

It did, didn't it?

Yeah, I stabbed a man in the heart.

I saw that! Brick killed a guy! Did you throw a trident?

Yeah, there were horses, and a man on fire, and I killed a guy with a trident.

Brick, I've been meaning to talk to you about that. You should probably find yourself a safehouse or a relative close by. Lay low for a while, because you're probably wanted for murder.

AS FOR THE MINIS:

GREAT job, John; I LOVE the touch of two rifles being in the lines… it really makes it clear what unit we are looking at. Great job.

Oh, and the show was terrible. The books, however, are beach-sitting GREATNESS.

95th – True, the South Essex are a fictional unit, but the yellow facings were used by a historical unit. I have a South Essex standard bearer, a 44th standard bearer and an 88th Standard bearer. The uniforms are close enough to have fun with at Sharp Practice games.

After all; Its all for fun and fun for all.

Great escalation of this thread into "immediate tirade" mode – this forum is truly a brilliant spectator sport. Carry on everyone, I'm having loads of fun here.

As are we all.

I have fun jabbing people who do not get *my* humor. I call them "immune to irony". So, now the foo is on the other shoot!

As for The Patriot, do you mean to tell me that there was NOT a haunted house at Cowford Guildpens?
That Banaster Tavington did not lead the Green Dragoons SS Kavalrie Regiment?
That the Darkies just loved working for Massah Mel as independent contractors?

John – I forgot to compliment you on your great paint job. If only the TV series was that good.

Now if you really want to pick apart a movie you need to watch "the pride and the passion" with Frank Sinatra as a Spanish guerrilla leader and Cary Grant as a British Naval Captain.

"With respect John some of us would think that anything over $10 USD was money poorly spent."

You can open the bidding with that, if you like. But it's too rich for my blood! Heck, you could give me the set free, and I'd feel hard done by, because you'd expect me to watch them…

Allen

Hi John,

Lovely figures. Another unit to add to the 'to-do' list!

And yes, loved the series! Not that I had much choice as they were once adopted by my mess as the 'deployment video' that was on endlessley during our 4 month South Atlantic patrol – because of watchkeeping you never got to see the start or end of one, or even know which episode you were watching, so it all got to be a bit of a blur – apart from Liz Hurley's 'lovelies' off course, they allways rated a freeze frame and standing ovation!

Kind Regards,

Sparker

Hate to be super geeky..
Wasnt the South Essex numbered 106th? or 105th…
Im sure the 104th were an Anglo Canadian militia regiment that had voleunteered to serve in the line. Maybe Newfoundland or New Brunswick… one of the two.

Boring, predictable, badly written, fluff; paint drying is more entertaining….

Hi Edwulf,

I am not 100% sure about the numbering of the South Essex, the Newfoundland and New Brunswick were both "fencibles" and not in the British order of battle.

link

link

John

Yeah, but if you look at your second link the New Brunswick Fencibles transfer on to the British establishment in 1810 and take the number 104 and remain there until 1817.

Well called, I will move them up to the 105th. Post edited.

But we have now run into one of those horrible historical inconsistencies that always intrude from reality into fantasy. The South Essex were entered into the British OB in 1809, 1 year before the New Brunswick fencibles, how can one explain this?

Many thanks,

John

Two things stand out in the film "Pride and the Passion" that made it a truly great epic: Sophia Loren

Much more epic that "Hurley's" lovelies, but it was a Damn near run thing.

The OFM won't tolerate someone's intolerance… thus the TMP Mobius strip continues.

104, 105, 106? No matter. Fictional regiment. Us fans know what you mean. Who are the New Brunswickers anyway and how many Eagles did THEY take?

Dang. If I could channel all my frustrations into painting minis I'd be able to game at 1 to 1.

Hmm … John de Terre: The Sharpe TV series was terrible and looked like it was put together by a bunch of macaws with learning disabilities. Only a Philistine could have liked it.

That should be good for at least a brigade. You're welcome.

You can open the bidding with that, if you like. But it's too rich for my blood! Heck, you could give me the set free, and I'd feel hard done by, because you'd expect me to watch them…

Yeah, good point Allen. Sharpe still regularly shows up on several of the 'history' channels over here and I sometimes tune in through boredom or some sort of bizarre notion that they get better with afge. They don't. I've never considered Sean Bean to be a particularly gifted actor, but if you only saw him in this you'd wonder how on earth he became an actor at all. Several of my figure shelves have more depth…

I also think it telling that of all the episodes the only thing most people remember with affection are Liz Hurley's norks.

I know who Liz Hurley is but who are her norks?

Not who, but what.

I had to look up the meaning of Mobius Strip, it is now crystal clear to me why they do not understand Sharpe. You must end up enmeshed in it at a certain age!!

There is too much flensing for my tastes.

Be careful! They'll cheat at wargames. Just ask the Prince of Wales.

Liz Hurley is North Korean?