Review of They Came to Cordura (1959) by Ola G — 12 Jan 2012

Major Thomas Thorn (Gary Cooper) is a U.S. Army cavalry officer who displayed true cowardice when his frontier garrison is attacked in 1916. He develops an obsession with what constitutes courage in others and becomes an Awards Officer. 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: Sgt. John Chawk (Van Heflin), Lt. William Fowler (Tab Hunter), Cpl. Milo Trubee (Richard Conte), Pvt. Renziehausen (Dick York) and Pvt. Andrew Hetherington (Michael Callan) who got his recommendation earlier. In the charge they capture Adelaide Geary (Rita Hayworth), who sheltered the enemy. During their journey to reach the armybase in Cordura, a series of harrowing incidents make it clear that the apparent heroes were motivated by other things than courage, while it is the disgraced Thorn who possesses moral courage.

I was hoping for a classic epic westernish movie, but I felt I got more of a so so movie. I reckon the journey of the soldiers did not capture my interest that much despite the psychological layers in the plot. I do like the timeframe "They Came To Cordura" is set in, with the 1916 military style and look. But, compared to "The Wild Bunch" (also set in the same timeframe) this is so much weaker. Initially I felt that Gary Cooper seemed so uninspired and tired, but reading afterwards that he was very ill during the shoot explains why. Shame, since he is one of the big actors of his time. Rita Hayworth seems slightly uninspired as well, but her beauty and aura takes her a long way. All in all, "They Came To Cordura" is a tad disappointing is my opinion.