I have to disagree with those who didn't like the film, particularly with the depiction of Sharp.
I don't really think the character was supposed to be Sharp any more than the leading lady was supposed to be Dame Olive Campbell - the film was a work of fiction and in no way intended to be taken as a documentary.
It was, as far I'm concerned, a well told, acted and filmed story which made excellent use of traditional singing and music - a rare enough occurence, to be welcomed rather than nit-picked over.
As for the depiction of the English collector - I wonder how an English gentleman whose natural habitat was the midde-class drawing room would have appeared and behaved - fish out of water is the term that springs to my mind.
Having said this, it is all credit to Sharp, whatever his failings, that despite his upbringing, his background and his poor health, he worked the miracles he did and left us such a magnificent legacy.
Jim Carroll