Everyone knows that Napoleonic battles were won purely on dress sense. The better looking army won. Red is a pretty dashing colour. The French were pretty stylish, this is how they got so far, especially against the poor fashion of the Prussians. Unfortunately for them, their Winter season clothes hadn't come in by the time they reached Russia, so they were woefully under dressed. I mean, wearing Summer's fashion in the middle of winter is a serious faux pas.
For those who don't know, when Infantry were fighting Infantry they formed lines. But when Cavalry was attacking Infantry the Infantry had to form a deep square with every soldier facing outward so no matter which side or angle the Cavalry tried to attack on, they met fixed bayonets. The horsemen wouldn't want to charge into a square formation, because they'd hit the bayonets. If Infantry stayed in a long shallow line formation like Silly Billy has them here, the Cavalry could easily charge in, separate them from each other, and hack them to pieces.
The cavalry attack at 6:04 should have been acknowledged as the charge of the Scot's Grays ( which was not ordered by Wellington ). Best cavalry in Europe, but worst led. It was defeated by French lancers because their commander ordered the attack out of turn.
Close but no cigar. The attack was ordered by Uxbridge as the I Corps of the French army were advancing. The attack was carried out by the household brigade and union brigade (the latter of which had more success). They were kept in reserved and moved to a spot at the foot of the hill while the french advanced. Their advance descimated the French columns, but they received heavy casualties as many kept on advancing to the French guns and got engaged with french cavalry, before the lancers swept in to finish them off
@TermiteUSA Yeah, the bayonet square was evolved from the Scottish schiltrons, or pike and spear squares that they used at Stirling and Bannockburn to break the English heavy cavalry charges, which the Swiss perfected against the Austrians and Germans. Same basic concept with the bayonets, but still, just as the schiltron was vulnerable to archers and crossbows, the bayonet square was vulnerable to artillery, and other infantry.
@hollywoodwerewolf Also there's a scene earlier in this where he's pointing a gun at Sharpe and Sharpe just snatches it off him and throws it away. Reminds me of his first appearance in Angel where he's pointing a crossbow at Angel who just does exactly the same thing.
I have just seen my most beautiful Frenchwoman ( and Sharpes last love Lucille) she is as beautiful as ever. She was in an episode of Endvour , ( 2014) still as beautiful as ever.
actually, this happened in one of the earlier battles, Quatre Bras, or something. The Allies were initially in lines, and suddenly tried to form squares, but it was too late and some regiments got badly mauled by French cavalry.
@CARVER1110 the french did not hold with the british ideal of a cavalry saber of the time, most of europe didn't. they saw the saber that sharpe uses as weapon for a butcher, as well as its curved counterpart
no, the final act of the hundred days did. the last 49 hours comprised the battle of ligny, quatre bras and waterloo, ligny was a great defeat for the prussians, but quatre bras was merely a skirmish compared to waterloo, which lasted for nearly twelve hours
Most the Modern British Mess dress traces it self back to then. It's been modernised in the Victorian Era but actually it's recognisable. If you gotta meet your maker you may as well do it with a good set of "Togs" on.
Alexis Denisof plays a man who steals Sharpe's wife and fortune. After Waterloo, the next thing I saw him in was Buffy where he plays a man who steals Giles' job and Slayer.
I'm sorry I'm not really caught up with all the events at waterloo, please forgive my ignorance, but was there really instances of troops falling out of square to form line head on against French heavy Cav??
No not one square broke as they where on reverse sloop and marshal ney forgot the horse artillery destroying the French cavalry in the process his own idea
Depth,line was 2 people thick, a cavalry charge can go through the line full abreast having maximum effect. A square means that 1, the formation has bayonets in every direction and 2 it being thicker makes charging through it much harder. Not an expert on these but i believe that was the basis for it.
@bloodndestroy In a square formation you remove all the cavalarys strengths. They can't menuver to attack in the flacks or rear, horses will as a rule not run into a solid looking formation, and the infantry feels more safe knowing their back and sides are safe and will not break and make holes in the formation. Read the artickel on Wiki or other site with Old military tactick for a more in depth explanation.
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. When I first watched this as a kid in the 90s I was blown away, but with a critical adult eye those sort of things rob the experience for me haha. I'm definitely in favour of a Sharpe series remake, but I severely doubt it will happen :(
@BigEyesSmallMouth That isn't good at all, if Rossendale was the only child then the family have to recognize Jane's child, or the line would go extinct.
The guy who wrote 'Sharpe's Waterloo' actually wrote another book called '4 Days, 3 Armies, 3 battles' And it contradicts loads as to what he wrote in Sharpe's but hey, ho, one's fiction the other non-fiction, I guess!
not really they where cast so this made them weak if they where forged and heat treated right it would have not been a problem but cast has bigger grain structure then that of a forged and heat treated one you want one thats right in the middle of hard and soft
I'm a whole two years late with this, I know (lol). But, actually, Wellington's line there is: 'You ready with your heavies, Uxbridge?'. The rest was correct, though.
The movie "The Four Feathers" starring the late Heath Ledger has some fantastic depictions of the use of the square. Accurate or not, I don't know, but it certainly is riveting to watch.
Well, Wellington ordered the initial counter charge by the scots greys they took out the Cuirasier, but he didn't order them to continue on all the way to the French lines, which they did, rather than driving off the cavalry from the hard pressed highlanders and then returning. Beause as you say, worst led cavalry in europe.
Blimey Sharpe all this time we have been fighting on the wrong side!for pompous lords and aristocratic privilege! By gum Sharpe for me from hence forward it will be Vive l’Empereur!”
In an earlier episode he teaches some troops to smash the horse in the mouth with the butt while blocking with the barrel. Apparently the horse will throw the Frog and you can stab them on the floor while stunned. We don't see this used much on screen though?
8:55 So where are the Prussians? Well - currently keeping ten thousands of Frenchmen off your ass! Gosh - I hope that this series at least motivates some people to stich their noses into history books. Otherwise, people might really start to think that at Waterloo, only the Brits done the fighting while Dutch troops were occasionally running around and the Prussians were just strolling around in the woods. Oh - and by the way, where IS the Dutch infantry? I only see Nassau uniforms...
Everyone knows that Napoleonic battles were won purely on dress sense. The better looking army won. Red is a pretty dashing colour. The French were pretty stylish, this is how they got so far, especially against the poor fashion of the Prussians. Unfortunately for them, their Winter season clothes hadn't come in by the time they reached Russia, so they were woefully under dressed. I mean, wearing Summer's fashion in the middle of winter is a serious faux pas.
😂
dear god you right
Are you Prince of Orange
I want a 3 hour supercut of everytime Sharpe says "bugger"
For those who don't know, when Infantry were fighting Infantry they formed lines. But when Cavalry was attacking Infantry the Infantry had to form a deep square with every soldier facing outward so no matter which side or angle the Cavalry tried to attack on, they met fixed bayonets. The horsemen wouldn't want to charge into a square formation, because they'd hit the bayonets.
If Infantry stayed in a long shallow line formation like Silly Billy has them here, the Cavalry could easily charge in, separate them from each other, and hack them to pieces.
Haha and at the end have the disclaimer "Only a few animals were hurt during this film". Peta would love that.
That tune that plays every time, gets me every time, Over the Hills and far away...
What I'm learning from this is that waterloo could have easily been won if everyone had just formed squares.
Yes thank god you realised
If you knew what you were talking about you wouldn’t be such an ass
All squares
I think we all should fight in just a big square. Battle of Three Kings style
At 3:20, You gotta ABSOLUTELY Love how the cannon shot masks EXACTLY what Sharpe is telling Ol' Silly Billy!
Beowulf1ca something something TWAT
During the calvary charge at 1:21 some random guy goes "EVERYMAN FOR HIMSELF!" lol
Give who ever made this series 120 million dollar, and they will give us a fantastic show
I still don’t know why Hagman and Harris went back in 3:54
they dont have horses, theyr safer in the farm
Because they were soldiers, that’s why.
They weren't needed in the sequels
Acting contracts expired...
Exhausted running after Sharpe on his horse.
silly billy formed line twice? Thought he would have learned the first time
If he learned, he wouldnt be known as silly billy
Way to go Sharpe! Way to go!
Why does he ride back in? Just to swear at him? Sharpe is a legend.
What did he say tho? I couldn't hear over the cannon fire
@@NS4L1683 F*ck you, you royal high twat.
The cavalry attack at 6:04 should have been acknowledged as the charge of the Scot's Grays ( which was not ordered by Wellington ). Best cavalry in Europe, but worst led. It was defeated by French lancers because their commander ordered the attack out of turn.
Close but no cigar. The attack was ordered by Uxbridge as the I Corps of the French army were advancing. The attack was carried out by the household brigade and union brigade (the latter of which had more success). They were kept in reserved and moved to a spot at the foot of the hill while the french advanced. Their advance descimated the French columns, but they received heavy casualties as many kept on advancing to the French guns and got engaged with french cavalry, before the lancers swept in to finish them off
Hookey: Where are our guns Lord Uxbridge?
Uxbridge: Comibg up...soon..
@TermiteUSA Yeah, the bayonet square was evolved from the Scottish schiltrons, or pike and spear squares that they used at Stirling and Bannockburn to break the English heavy cavalry charges, which the Swiss perfected against the Austrians and Germans. Same basic concept with the bayonets, but still, just as the schiltron was vulnerable to archers and crossbows, the bayonet square was vulnerable to artillery, and other infantry.
@hollywoodwerewolf Also there's a scene earlier in this where he's pointing a gun at Sharpe and Sharpe just snatches it off him and throws it away. Reminds me of his first appearance in Angel where he's pointing a crossbow at Angel who just does exactly the same thing.
03:15 pure brilliance
Quality!
I love the loyalty of his men
lol Hagman and Harris just running after horses.
Am i wrong or is Uxbridge wearing the uniform of the hussars of the kings german legion?
7th Queen's Own Hussars, his own division. Uniforms are very similar given the origins of their sponsors.
3:16 ... Best bit of sharpe!
Prince of Orange: no no, we must take it back. You!
[British infantry busy dying]
Did he say...bloody Lannisters?
the prince of orange was also jeff chauser in A knights tale.
I hate how artillery is never rendered properly, by firing ball ammunition. Always fire shell-shot, which only howitzers would have fired.
I have just seen my most beautiful Frenchwoman ( and Sharpes last love Lucille) she is as beautiful as ever.
She was in an episode of Endvour , ( 2014) still as beautiful as ever.
And some of us have met the lovely lady!
Awesome!
actually, this happened in one of the earlier battles, Quatre Bras, or something. The Allies were initially in lines, and suddenly tried to form squares, but it was too late and some regiments got badly mauled by French cavalry.
Look he gave him the V for Victory
@CARVER1110 the french did not hold with the british ideal of a cavalry saber of the time, most of europe didn't. they saw the saber that sharpe uses as weapon for a butcher, as well as its curved counterpart
no, the final act of the hundred days did. the last 49 hours comprised the battle of ligny, quatre bras and waterloo, ligny was a great defeat for the prussians, but quatre bras was merely a skirmish compared to waterloo, which lasted for nearly twelve hours
Most the Modern British Mess dress traces it self back to then. It's been modernised in the Victorian Era but actually it's recognisable. If you gotta meet your maker you may as well do it with a good set of "Togs" on.
Two fingers salute epic
3:20 EPIC!
they should do in the show what they do in the books against cavelry, swing your rifle or bayonet at the horses face as hard as you can
boy that was a convenient cannonball.
Good ears, I re-listened and you are indeed correct
I love the cuirassiers !
@dtxu1: Why is Rossendale's line dying out such a bad thing? ;)
Thank you - I was wondering about that.
Awww. Jane sure backed the wrong horsie in THIS race.
BA HA HA HA HA!!! Jane's knocked up, Rossendale's dead, all is well.
1:57 Silly Billy.
He did but he also picked the worst branch of the British Army to enlist in. The heavy cavalry were badly led during Waterloo.
Alexis Denisof plays a man who steals Sharpe's wife and fortune. After Waterloo, the next thing I saw him in was Buffy where he plays a man who steals Giles' job and Slayer.
the battle of waterloo lasted 4 9 hours.
same fifty to sixty extras in redcoats. Same French calvary. If it was possible, if there was enough money, they should've hired more extras-stuntmen.
That was the fate of Ponsoby in the battle I belief
I'm sorry I'm not really caught up with all the events at waterloo, please forgive my ignorance, but was there really instances of troops falling out of square to form line head on against French heavy Cav??
No not one square broke as they where on reverse sloop and marshal ney forgot the horse artillery destroying the French cavalry in the process his own idea
@TermiteUSA the prussians used the suicide sliding horse technique to break squares
Bayonets werent made of strong enough metal and the frenchmen on top can slash any attempt to stab the horses as they have a longer reach.
can someone explain how a square works better than a line against cavalry?
Depth,line was 2 people thick, a cavalry charge can go through the line full abreast having maximum effect. A square means that 1, the formation has bayonets in every direction and 2 it being thicker makes charging through it much harder. Not an expert on these but i believe that was the basis for it.
Sharpe rides out once bodies in front of the gate. Rides out again bodies are gone.
@ 121Swaleskid
Thanks. That parts always bugged me :p
@bloodndestroy In a square formation you remove all the cavalarys strengths. They can't menuver to attack in the flacks or rear, horses will as a rule not run into a solid looking formation, and the infantry feels more safe knowing their back and sides are safe and will not break and make holes in the formation.
Read the artickel on Wiki or other site with Old military tactick for a more in depth explanation.
@BigEyesSmallMouth not a bad thing at all, but if we want Jane to suffer, we need someone else to inherit the family wealth so she won't get any.
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. When I first watched this as a kid in the 90s I was blown away, but with a critical adult eye those sort of things rob the experience for me haha. I'm definitely in favour of a Sharpe series remake, but I severely doubt it will happen :(
Anybody know what sharpe said at 3:20?
@Nasenbaerin he asking if hes got his heavy cav ready.
ha ha, good by, my lord rossendale. dammit, see what i mean about the chosen men
actually, horse, not cuirassier. the british didn't begin to wear that item until after 1815
@BigEyesSmallMouth That isn't good at all, if Rossendale was the only child then the family have to recognize Jane's child, or the line would go extinct.
The guy who wrote 'Sharpe's Waterloo' actually wrote another book called '4 Days, 3 Armies, 3 battles' And it contradicts loads as to what he wrote in Sharpe's but hey, ho, one's fiction the other non-fiction, I guess!
Must be hard communicating with thousands of men back then
Too bad they had no I phones! That's right, the I phones would not have worked anyway. There were no cell towers!!!
Just gotta yell real loud
I kind of feel sorry for Rossendale. It wasn't his fault after all
not really they where cast so this made them weak if they where forged and heat treated right it would have not been a problem but cast has bigger grain structure then that of a forged and heat treated one you want one thats right in the middle of hard and soft
Err Boney, as in Bonaparte :)
Incluso con sus limitaciones de número de extras este material le da mil vueltas a la mierda de ridley scot.
@Hauntedman1 he didn't even fought the peninsular war
In reality he was not a good general. but you are correct, not to this extent.
you see red was the new blue.
how ironic
lol
I'm a whole two years late with this, I know (lol). But, actually, Wellington's line there is: 'You ready with your heavies, Uxbridge?'. The rest was correct, though.
The movie "The Four Feathers" starring the late Heath Ledger has some fantastic depictions of the use of the square. Accurate or not, I don't know, but it certainly is riveting to watch.
It was complete and utter Rubbish
3:16 mega lolz
Lord Eddard
Well, Wellington ordered the initial counter charge by the scots greys they took out the Cuirasier, but he didn't order them to continue on all the way to the French lines, which they did, rather than driving off the cavalry from the hard pressed highlanders and then returning.
Beause as you say, worst led cavalry in europe.
Why doesn't the infantry shoot
they're not traitors, they knew their rifles would be needed at la Haie Sainte
I thought lancers were what Boney used to counter the Heavy calv assualt...
anybody read lips whats sharpe say at322 i know he gives him the english finger
Blimey Sharpe all this time we have been fighting on the wrong side!for pompous lords and aristocratic privilege! By gum Sharpe for me from hence forward it will be Vive l’Empereur!”
In an earlier episode he teaches some troops to smash the horse in the mouth with the butt while blocking with the barrel. Apparently the horse will throw the Frog and you can stab them on the floor while stunned. We don't see this used much on screen though?
it's official, the prince is the NEW SIMMERSON!! X(
im just saying what sharpe said cos no1 understood what he said
@Hauntedman1 I don't get what you're saying....
8:55 So where are the Prussians?
Well - currently keeping ten thousands of Frenchmen off your ass!
Gosh - I hope that this series at least motivates some people to stich their noses into history books. Otherwise, people might really start to think that at Waterloo, only the Brits done the fighting while Dutch troops were occasionally running around and the Prussians were just strolling around in the woods.
Oh - and by the way, where IS the Dutch infantry? I only see Nassau uniforms...
Mr.Mischpalette that IS the representation of the Dutch infantry
damn form square ! SQUARE !!
@zukalop well, I'm guessung they die, thanks a bunch.
Moreron
"ARREST HIM AT ONCE!" And on that day, not one single fuck was given by any man.
3:16 :)
@Nasenbaerin "Be ready with your greys Uxbridge" "I am your grace" "Then have them out!"
Meaning, standby to charge your Cavalry.
Lol 7:32 everyone is waiting
OAH lol
Why don't they just bayonet charge the horses?
@Heartoftheclock low budget bet inf costumes cost more than the nassau ones do
Sharpe's waterloo has got to be the worst of an otherwise brilliant series
Except for Sharpe's Revenge, Sharpe's Justice and especially Sharpe's Gold - which were all abysmally bad, otherwise I agree
No. It's pivotal.
i can lip read
the deaths are really annoying