The adventures of a maverick British officer who fights behind French lines in Spain and Portugal during the Napoleonic wars.

A year after the battle of Waterloo, dispatchers from India warn that a local Maharaja is threatening British interests. Wellington sends Sharpe to investigate on what turns out to be his most dangerous mission to date. Shot entirely on location in India.

British officer Richard Sharpe is given the task of preparing the hitherto purely ceremonial Royal Irish Company for real battle. The commander's ambitious wife and false rumors of a massacre in Ireland complicate the job.

When the incompetent Sir Henry Simmerson (Cochrane) loses most of his men and his regimental flag during battle, Sharpe (Bean), spurred by the memory of a friend who was recently killed sets out for revenge. He is determined to capture the French mascot, a carved golden eagle which is carried into combat. Sharpe is also looking to a settle a personal score with two arrogant officers who have angered him at their mistreatment of the elegant widow Josefina...