Main Cast: Gary Cooper, Rita Hayworth, Van Heflin, Tab Hunter, Richard Conte, Michael Callan
Release Year: 1959
Country: US
Run Time: 123 minutes
MPAA Rating: NR
Plot
Gary Cooper stars in one of his final roles in They Came To Cordura, Robert Rossen's moody study of the thin dividing line between heroism and cowardice. Cooper plays Major Thomas Thorn, a U.S. Army officer in the expedition into Mexico against Pancho Villa. Because he hesitated during a moment of decision in a battle, he has been labeled a coward. His commanding officer, Colonel Rogers (Robert Keith), orders Thorn to recommend five men for nomination for the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery in the battle against Villa. Angered that Thorn did not nominate him for the Medal of Honor, Rogers charges Thorn with transporting the men through a broiling and dangerous desert to the rear area of Cordura. They begin the trek accompanied by Adelaide Geary (Rita Hayworth), the daughter of a dishonored U.S. Senator, who is accused of treason since she owned the hacienda where Villa's men stayed. As they travel across the desert expanse, Thorn ponders why these men are considered heroes while he is labeled a coward. As their journey continues, the heroes turn into a mutinous rabble, with Thorn reduced to holding the group at bay with a loaded gun. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
Dick York - Pvt. Renziehausen; Robert Keith - Col. Rogers; Carlos Romero - Arreaga; James Bannon - Capt. Paltz; Edward Platt - Col. DeRose; Maurice Jara - Mexican Federate; Sam Buffington - Correspondent; Arthur Hanson - Correspondent; Wendell Hoyt - Cavalry Soldier
Credit
Cary O'Dell - Art Director, Thomas S. Dawson - Costume Designer, Jean Louis - Costume Designer, Carter De Haven, Jr. - First Assistant Director, Milton Feldman - First Assistant Director, Robert Rossen - Director, William Lyon - Editor, Morris W. Stoloff - Musical Direction/Supervision, Sammy Cahn - Songwriter, Jimmy Van Heusen - Songwriter, Clay Campbell - Makeup, Burnett Guffey - Cinematographer, William Goetz - Producer, Frank A. Tuttle - Set Designer, John P. Livadary - Sound/Sound Designer, Ivan Moffat - Screenwriter, Robert Rossen - Screenwriter, Glendon Swarthout - Book Author
Tom Thorn (Gary Cooper) is a U.S. Army officer who has an obsession with courage. After a cavalry charge during the 1916 U.S. expedition in Mexico to capture Pancho Villa, Thorn recommends four soldiers for the Medal of Honor. But while returning to Cordura, their journey becomes difficult and Thorn re-evaluates the heroes and himself.
Production notes
Dick York suffered a severe back injury during the filming that would cause him great pain in his later years, so much so that he was forced to resign from his longtime role of Darrin Stephens on the 1960s television program Bewitched, and indeed, almost ended up ruining his life. [2]
