Richard Sharpe is ordered to accompany an inexperienced regiment, which has just arrived in Portugal. But the veteran Sharpe quickly comes into conflict with the regiment's colonel, especially after the latter's incompetence leads to the loss of many men. Sharpe's promotion to captain aggravates the colonel's simmering resentment and he proves a dangerous enemy. As Sharpe leads his men into battle at Talavera, he knows he must find a way to save both his career and the honour of the regiment.