cast and crew biographies

The facts surrounding this character differ between the book and the film, in the book Spears' character is a much darker one than the film, although in both he has a carefree attitude to life, almost to the point of suicidal bravery - but the reason for this becomes known to us as the story unfolds.

In the film however, we first meet Jack Spears as he gallops through Sharpe and his men as they chase Leroux - Sharpe reluctantly has to admire Jack's courage and his no nonsense attitude, plus the fact that even though he is Lord Jack Spears, he accords Sharpe every civility and is eager to befriend him.

In the book of course, Jack doesn't meet Sharpe until they enter Salamanca and he meets the beautiful Marchesa - Jack is dancing attendance on her, and becomes Sharpe's confidante when he begins his affair with The Golden Whore.

Throughout the book and the film, Spears takes us from admiration of his courage, to condemnation of what he becomes, in effect a spy for the French, and back finally to his courage on the battlefield.

Jack Spears personifies what war is really about - terror, torture and courage - in Jack's words, "It's like the Kings Shilling, Richard, some men take it and spend it all in one day, others save it - I spent the whole shilling of courage".

Whatever your feelings for Spears, you can't help but feel sorry for the man, he was a likeable guy and whilst he betrayed his country - he couldn't betray his friend - Richard Sharpe.