They Came to Cordura

IMDb RATING

6.4/10

2.5K

YOUR RATING

Gary Cooper, Rita Hayworth, Van Heflin, Richard Conte, Tab Hunter, Michael Callan, and Dick York in They Came to Cordura (1959)

An army major, himself guilty of cowardice, is asked to recommend soldiers for the Congressional Medal of Honor during the Mexican Border Incursion of 1916.

Play trailer2:41

1 Video

30 Photos

Classical Western Adventure Drama History War Western

An army major, himself guilty of cowardice, is asked to recommend soldiers for the Congressional Medal of Honor during the Mexican Border Incursion of 1916.An army major, himself guilty of cowardice, is asked to recommend soldiers for the Congressional Medal of Honor during the Mexican Border Incursion of 1916.An army major, himself guilty of cowardice, is asked to recommend soldiers for the Congressional Medal of Honor during the Mexican Border Incursion of 1916.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.4/10

2.5K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination total

Videos1

Trailer 2:41

Trailer

Photos30

+ 23

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Although Gary Cooper was 57, his character Major Thorn was forty years old according to the novel. Early in the film it is mentioned that Thorn's father had recently been killed while still on active service.

Goofs
Major Thorn improperly salutes Colonel DeRose in the opening scene when he is dismissed. He should have saluted and held his salute until it was acknowledged. Instead, he lowers his arm even before Colonel Rose acknowledges it.

Quotes
Major Thomas Thorn: Did you ever see the Medal of Honor?
Private Renziehausen: No, Sir.
Major Thomas Thorn: It's the most beautiful decoration of all, as it should be. I'd trade an ear for one any time, two in fact.
Private Renziehausen: Excuse me, Sir, but I'd rather have the ear.

Crazy credits
Opening credits prologue:

On the night of March 8th, 1916, a large mounted force of Mexican rebels under Pancho Villa crossed the American Border and attacked the town of Columbus, New Mexico, killing and wounding both American civilians and soldiers.

As a result of this action,the United States Army sent an expedition into Mexico with orders to capture Villa and disperse his forces.

It was during this campaign that one man, an United States Army officer,was forced to come face to face with two of the great fundamental questions that affect mankind:

What Is Courage? What Is Cowardice?

This is the story of his search for an answer.

Connections
Featured in Stars of the Silver Screen: Rita Hayworth (2011)

User reviews47

Review

Featured review

8/10

A great movie

A really good movie. Ultimately a redemption movie. Heroes can also be villains. A single act of cowardice or an act of courage does not mark the measure or the destiny of a man.

Also, confidence in people can change them and reform them.

The acting is superb throughout, and Gary Cooper captures wonderfully the gradual decline as he leads his motley crew on a trek to survival through the desert. An heroic performance to match the hero he portrays.

This is movie that deserves more acclaim than it has received.

In my book this is a must see. Great fare for Sunday afternoon on the couch!