Rent The Peninsular Collection: 95th Rifles: 1809 to Salamanca (2013)
2.6 of 5 from 3 ratings
1h 45min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
"95th Rifles: 1809 to Salamanca" is the second video in '95th Rifles' trilogy of films from BHTV and Pen and Sword Digital. This film picks up the story with the return of the Regiment from the epic winter retreat over the mountains to Corunna. Shot on location in Portugal and Spain, the BHTV team follow the Rifles' route from Lisbon in the blistering heat of a Peninsular summer. The Rifles were driven on by Brigadier Craufurd to Talavera in what was an epic march. Sadly they did not arrive in time for the battle but even though Wellington had beaten the French the 95th covered the withdrawal back to the Portuguese frontier. 1810 saw the French under Marshal Massena driving the British back towards the sea. On the border Craufurd had the Light Brigade dangerously exposed and it was largely through the actions of the Rifles that it escaped destruction on the banks of the River Coa. Driven back by the French, Wellesley turned and stood at Bussaco Ridge where the Rifles and the Light Brigade beat off a spirited attack by Marshal Ney. Again, despite a British victory, the retreat continued towards the Lines of Torres Vedras, which finally halted the French. In 1811 the French were pursued back to the Spanish border. With the 95th snapping at their heels, a series of sharp actions saw the Rifles to the fore. Once in the border positions the Rifles took part in the action at Sabugal, again escaping destruction but at the battle of Fuentes de Onoro they held the French attacks as Wellington manoeuvred them around the battle. In 1812 with Napoleon busy in Russia, Wellington was able to take the offensive but first he had to capture the 'Keys of Spain', the French-held boarder fortifications of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz. 1812 climaxed after a period of inconclusive manoeuvring, as both Wellington and Marshal Marmont sought to gain an advantage, with the great battle on the plains at Salamanca. - Directors:
- Tim Saunders, Andrew Duff, Mike Peters
- Narrated By:
- Tim Saunders, Andrew Duff, Mike Peters
- Writers:
- Tim Saunders, Andrew Duff, Mike Peters
- Studio:
- Pen and Sword
- Genres:
- Documentary, Special Interest
