The scene in which Sharpe and the Marquesa Dorida are thrown from horseback into the stream was an unscripted accident, but director 'Clegg, Tom' liked it so much he kept it in the movie.
This is the only time the Marquesa makes her appearance. However, in the novels, she also appears in "Sharpe's Sword", which was moved to later in the television series.
Differences from the original novel:
- In the beginning, Sharpe and the South Essex outwit a French battalion after the ammunition supplies are lost.
- The scene with Major Ducos and Napoleon is not present in the novel.
- Sharpe's duel with La Marques is interrupted by Colonel Thomas Leroy.
- Sharpe's defense lawyer was a cavalry officer, not a regular army officer.
- The hanging took place in a city square, not in the countryside outside a camp.
- Captain William Frederickson and Major Hogan meet Sharpe at the convent destroyed during Sharpe's Enemy.
- Sharpe is accompanied on his mission by a young partisan named Angel.
- Sharpe and La Marquesa are captured by the French at an Inn near a Spanish village.
- The powder magazine in the French fortress was ignited on accident. Also, Sharpe was still inside at the time.
- Sharpe and Sergeant Harper steal a cache of diamonds from the wagon train of Joseph Bonaparte.
- La Marquesa gives Sharpe a new telescope at the end, a gift from Napoleon to his brother Joseph.
In spite of his character's slimy, despicable nature, actor Féodor Atkine was very amiable on set, playing cards with fellow cast members, and even sharing a suitcase full of French wine and cheese with the production team.