From Crimea with Love: Misadventures in the Making of Sharpe’s Rifles

by Jason Salkey

In the summer of 1992, Jason Salkey was cast in a role that would change his life forever. Sharpe’s Rifles, a Napoleonic war drama, was to be shot in the Crimean Peninsula. Little did the producers know that they would be sending Jason and the crew to film in a rapidly disintegrating Soviet Union. There they faced near-starvation and danger round every corner as they set about creating one of Britain’s most successful and critically acclaimed television programmes.

From Crimea with Love documents the mishaps, blunders, incompetence and downright corruption that made Sharpe’s Rifles go down in British television folklore for its unique tales of hardship. Follow the cast through intense depravation and constant catastrophe until they become every bit the jaded, battle-hardened soldiers we saw on screen. Tapping into his diaries, photo journals and video log, Jason brings you an eye-opening, jaw-dropping insider’s account of one of the best-loved shows ever made.

Genres: Nonfiction, Tv, Memoir

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Necessary disclosure up front, I met Jason Salkey some years ago when he began visiting the US to attend various conventions where their might be interest in his photographs, videos, books, and stories about the making of the Sharpe series. And actually, I just finished reading a signed copy of this book that I acquired from him during his most recent visit. I've enjoyed talking with him during our occasional encounters over the years about his experiences as an actor and about the history of both the original 95th Rifles and of the making of the Sharpe series.
The book is a mix of all of these intertwined with his own story both professional and personal as a member of the British production company that went to the Crimea in the post-Soviet Ukraine to begin filming the first episode of what would eventually be 18 episodes - though a part of the story is how Salkey would only last through 12. Of the original "Chosen Men" only John Tams as Rifleman Hagman and Daragh O'Malley as Sergeant Harper would last longer.
I'm in position to say that this is a 'tell all' book about that experience but it is a 'tell alot' book. While I can't personally vouch for the descriptions, I was in Russia myself from 1996-2000 and Salkey's accounts parallel some of my own observations (though I had fewer knowing encounters with the Russian underworld). My own experience in acting was limited to High School and University, but Jason confirms that some of my observations from even that limited exposure were accurate. I'm relieved that my limitations in that world allow me to enjoy it at a little distance and Jason Salkey is an entertaining guide through that world as represented by the Sharpe experience.

[Adam Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Take my advice, Harris. When you get home, write a bloody good book with loads of shooting in it. You'll die a rich man.” Sharpe’s Sword
A nod to Rifleman Benjamin Harris, but also a massive nod to the author, who played Harris in the Sharpe Series.
For any fans of the Sharpe TV series, this book provides an absolutely brilliant insight into the lives of the cast and crew during filming.
To eye, the shows are polished and brilliant, but delve behind the scenes as this book does, and the filming was beset with troubles from the start.
Jason tells the story from casting until the present day in an easy to read, free flowing way. Bringing the pain, comradeship and gruelling schedule to life.

An absolutely fantastic read, from a natural storyteller.

[Amanda Stubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Read for Sharpe fans

This book is a must for Sharpe fans. It lets the reader into some of the secrets behind the series.
Thoroughly readable and very enjoyable

[Ben Duerksen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a reasonably interesting book of Salkey’s recollections filming the Sharpes series. That said, it’s entirely too full of self pity…most of the book swings between complaining about filming conditions or the perceived unjust treatment of anyone but the main actors (whether wrongly or rightly), and the after-hours “bacchanalian” debaucheries of the cast that, after the fiftieth party, make you wonder how the set even managed to function. And that word…I’m not sure how many times it shows up, but a thesaurus would have been useful…it’s taking a single line in the movie and milking it into complete oblivion. There’s enough redeeming value to the book though that I’d still recommend it to any fan of Sharpe who wants more insight into the filming of the series.

[Rich Bussom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some really good stories for fans of the "Sharpe's Rifles" series. Too much time was devoted to the author's complaining and self destructive behavior for it to really be enjoyable.

[Allie Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by the actor who played Rifleman Harris in the Sharpe TV series, this is a behind-the-scenes account of the experience from getting the role through to Harris's final episode. It's a fantastic glimpse behind the curtain of a TV series, and definitely shows that acting, even in a hit TV show, is rarely the glamourous profession it's made out to be!
The Sharpe series was primarily shot in Ukraine, so we also get a glimpse into the former Soviet Union and its evolution too, as the cast and crew return to shoot each new series of the show.

The writing is engaging, open and genuine, bringing us into the relationships, action, tedium, joys and traumas of the shoot, as well as the politics. It's the last of these that started to get in the way for me, towards the end. Some of the events were clearly frustrating for the author, and towards the end, these frustrations begin to dominate the narrative, which is a shame. I'd like to have read a bit more about filming some of the scenes in more depth, and a bit less about the arguments with the producers, but ultimately this book gives a unique glimpse into various worlds most of us will never see, told as if we're hearing it from a friend.
Worth a read for anyone interested in what happens behind the scenes of a TV show, the recent history of Ukraine, fans of Sharpe, or just someone out for an enjoyable read.

[Laurence Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure about this when I saw it was being published on Unbound, but I ordered it in the end because I love the Sharpe novels, and Jason Sarkey's Rifleman Harris was always an interesting character, despite not actually being in the original tales.

This is very much a story of the production of the series and the trials and tribulations that the cast and crew suffered in order to bring it to us. The insider perspective is fascinating to read, mostly for the inter-personal interactions between the Chosen Men and the rest of the crew, in which art came to imitate the real life recollections of Rifleman Harris!

I read it in three or four days, and enjoyed it more than I thought I would, so would recommend it to fellow Sharpe fans.

[Denise Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I had read the Sharpe books by Bernard Cornwell from the library, I loved them so much that I had to buy them. This book by Jason Salkey was a thoroughly enjoyable read of life when making the series for television. To me Sean Bean was who I imagined Sharpe to be in the books. Totally brilliant

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this a fascinating and enjoyable read. I loved the Sharpe series when I was growing up and I found this a really good insight into how it had been made - it certainly comes across as a tough environment, which probably helped it how well it came across on screen.

[Tom Wing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part travelogue, part chef's perspective and culinary critique, a history of the effects of the collapse of the Soviet Union, a treatise of labor relations between management and workers, and an intimate look from the inside of the star actors of a beloved TV series, Jason Salkey has produced a masterpiece of memoir.
My first exposure to Sharpe was the loan of seasons 1-3 from a supervisor upon becoming an interpretive park ranger for the NPS. Part of my duty would be to present living history programs as an American Rifleman on the frontier after the War of 1812. Watching the series with my history minded sons helped me gain insight to the mission and purpose of rifle troops. I read a number of the novels and increased my “Sharpe knowledge.”Covid lockdown provided an opportunity to rewatch and see additional seasons. My wife got hooked as well and googling questions for answers led to the announcement of Jason’s book. I have a signed copy and relished every page, but my joy was complete when the audio book came out and I could hear it in his own voice.
Jason’s attention to detail and excellent documentation paint a vivid picture of a historically themed TV production. More than that, his book is an important record of life and culture change in the recently collapsed former Soviet Union. With the present day tragedy of Ukraine and the Crimea, his book is a valuable record of many aspects destroyed by war.
As an American listening to him recount events, I was struck by the influence of the United States on an international film set. Jim Beam and McDonalds filet-o-fish sandwiches helped Jason stay grounded in a foreign land. References to the Russian Mafia, KGB, and vodka flowing like water are included. Jason’s description of film shoots in Yalta, site of the important meeting between Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill is another golden nugget in the book. Still, Jason shares relationship details including courtship, marriage, birth of his son and loss of his father.
He has given us an important memoir with significant and reflective details of a wide range of subjects. Every reader will find something to enjoy. While a serious chronicle of events, Jason’s humor and his motto from the show as in life “Nil Desperandum” are constants in his writing. Counting him as a friend and ally in historical interpretation makes listening to his book even sweeter.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book.
I was 9 years old when my Dad let me stay up and watch Sharpe's Rifles on TV and I've been a fan ever since.
I much prefer the books over the TV show, but what the books lack is the chosen men, who were always my favorite part of the show, with Harris (Jason Salkey) in the lead by far.

It never sat right with me that Tongue and Cooper just disappeared and I always wondered why - this book contains the answers you seek.

It was interesting to read about the grueling behind-the-scenes action and antics of larger than life characters (like Daragh O'Malley). Also a real shame to read that producers of the show didn't really appreciate the value of the supporting characters and the hard work they put in.

If you were ever a fan of Sharpe (TV or books), you can't go wrong if you pick this book up.

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wildly fascinating and not just for fans of the Sharpe series. Jason Salkey provides snapshots of life in 90s Eastern Europe, a true glimpse into recent history, as well as the not so glamorous realities of being an actor. Salkey's candor provides laughs at some hilarious and not so hilarious situations. He may even leave you with some second hand anger at the state of the filming industry and living conditions in Eastern Europe. As an added bonus, if you listen to the audio book, it's as if Jason Salkey is personally regaling you with these stories. Highly recommend to all non-fiction readers.

[Mark Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight into the filming of the series tells you of how hard it was

[Stuart Faulkner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must for all Sharpe fans - proper warts and all and bloody funny in places

[Ian Spiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating insight into the making of TV's Sharpe

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and entertaining ... if a bit whingy… story of the making of the Sharpe TV series.

[Darren Hinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your a fan of Sharpe, it's a must read