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They Came to Cordura

  • 19591959
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 2h 3m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
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
27 Photos
  • Adventure
  • Drama
  • History

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.

IMDb RATING
6.4/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Robert Rossen
  • Writers
    • Ivan Moffat(screenplay)
    • Robert Rossen(screenplay)
    • Glendon Swarthout(novel)
  • Stars
    • Gary Cooper
    • Rita Hayworth
    • Van Heflin
Top credits
  • Director
    • Robert Rossen
  • Writers
    • Ivan Moffat(screenplay)
    • Robert Rossen(screenplay)
    • Glendon Swarthout(novel)
  • Stars
    • Gary Cooper
    • Rita Hayworth
    • Van Heflin
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 42User reviews
    • 15Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:41
    Trailer

    Photos27

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

    Top cast

    Edit
    Gary Cooper
    Gary Cooper
    • Major Thomas Thornas Major Thomas Thorn
    Rita Hayworth
    Rita Hayworth
    • Adelaide Gearyas Adelaide Geary
    Van Heflin
    Van Heflin
    • Sgt. John Chawkas Sgt. John Chawk
    Tab Hunter
    Tab Hunter
    • Lt. William Fowleras Lt. William Fowler
    Richard Conte
    Richard Conte
    • Cpl. Milo Trubeeas Cpl. Milo Trubee
    Michael Callan
    Michael Callan
    • Pvt. Andrew Hetheringtonas Pvt. Andrew Hetherington
    Dick York
    Dick York
    • Pvt. Renziehausenas Pvt. Renziehausen
    Robert Keith
    Robert Keith
    • Colonel Rogersas Colonel Rogers
    Carlos Romero
    Carlos Romero
    • Arreagaas Arreaga
    Jim Bannon
    Jim Bannon
    • Capt. Paltzas Capt. Paltz
    • (as James Bannon)
    Edward Platt
    Edward Platt
    • Colonel DeRoseas Colonel DeRose
    Maurice Jara
    • Mexican Federaleas Mexican Federale
    Sam Buffington
    Sam Buffington
    • 1st Correspondentas 1st Correspondent
    Arthur Hanson
    Arthur Hanson
    • 2nd Correspondentas 2nd Correspondent
    Clem Fuller
    Clem Fuller
      Wendell Hoyt
      • Cavalry Trooperas Cavalry Trooper
      • (uncredited)
      Maggie
      • Parrotas Parrot
      • (uncredited)
      • Director
        • Robert Rossen
      • Writers
        • Ivan Moffat(screenplay)
        • Robert Rossen(screenplay)
        • Glendon Swarthout(novel)
      • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
      • All cast & crew

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      Storyline

      Edit
      After a cavalry charge during the 1916 U.S. "war against Pancho Villa," unheroic awards officer Tom Thorn (who is obsessed with the nature of courage) recommends 4 men for the Medal of Honor. He is ordered back to Cordura with them...and prisoner Adelaide Geary, gringo who sheltered the enemy. On the arduous journey, Thorn's heroes show a different face, and Thorn may have one last chance to prove he's no coward. —Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
      • cowardice
      • mexican rurale
      • u.s. cavalry
      • violence
      • bandit
      • 65 more
      • Plot summary
      • Add synopsis
      • Taglines
        • Slashing Story of a Desert Warrior Who Fought His Way From HELL TO GLORY !
      • Genres
        • Adventure
        • Drama
        • History
        • War
        • Western
      • Certificate
        • Approved
      • Parents guide
        • Add content advisory

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        Although Gary Cooper was 57, his character Major Thorn was supposed to be about 30. 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 reviews42

      Review
      Top review
      6/10
      faux flaws?
      This is in response to comments on 'They Came to Cordura' regarding its dramatic weakness and flawed camera work and editing.

      The flaws may be real, but they might not be the fault of the filmmaker (writer-director Robert Rossen).

      Reportly, the film was taken out of Rossen's hands by the studio and drastically cut and re-cut. The director's original version, about 1/2 hour longer, was apparently much better, making much more dramatic sense.

      Further, the movie was shot in CinemaScope, and comments on its poor cinematography and editing are likely based on viewing a crude pan & scan video copy. Such artificial flaws are common with panned & scanned widescreen movies.

      .
      helpful•31
      10
      • rtravis
      • Mar 26, 2005

      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • August 20, 1959 (Japan)
      • Country of origin
        • United States
      • Language
        • English
      • Also known as
        • Dosli su u Korduru
      • Filming locations
        • St. George, Utah, USA
      • Production companies
        • Columbia Pictures
        • Goetz Pictures
        • Baroda Productions
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Box office

      Edit
      • Budget
        • $4,000,000 (estimated)
      See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

      Technical specs

      Edit
      • Runtime
        2 hours 3 minutes
      • Color
        • Color
      • Aspect ratio
        • 2.35 : 1

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      The Man From The Alamo and They Came To Cordura Western Double Feature Blu-ray Available From Mill Creek Entertainment
      The Man From The Alamo and They Came To Cordura Western Double Feature Blu-ray Available From Mill Creek Entertainment
      Jun 17WeAreMovieGeeks.com

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