Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

Pretty Good

People are voting emotionally.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

This film doesn't seem to garner much appreciation by other reviewers on this board but I thought it had an interesting concept. It reminded me of Eastwood's "Flags of Our Fathers", as the soldiers newly tapped for Congessional Medals of Honor were to then be used as a propaganda tool for the country's entrance into World War I. Even today, the idea of 'selling' a war seems like a foreign concept and not to be undertaken in a commercial manner.The film offers a lot of dichotomies to consider, chief among them the idea that a soldier attaining the rank of Major would have been chosen to operate as an Awards Officer even though he himself experienced cowardice in battle. That's Major Thorn's (Gary Cooper) task as he navigates his way through the situations and personalities that challenge his authority throughout the picture. I didn't get the sense that he was cowardly in any way and it required the story to play out in order to show his true colors.Interesting casting for this picture with the likes of Richard Conte, Dick York, Tab Hunter, and Van Heflin who looked like he packed on a few pounds since "Shane". I knew Rita Hayworth was in the cast but when she showed up a a blonde it didn't register. The resolution to the story didn't quite fit with everything that went before, leaving one to wonder what would happen once everyone finally set foot in Cordura. One of the reasons the picture merits it's weak reviews.

I always liked this movie, "They Came to Cordura". I've seen him several times and I have been following comments on it. Sometimes favorable, sometimes unfavorable (the majority), many of them criticizing the director Robert Rossen or the fact Gary Cooper be too old for the role. The film is about an unusual topic: the early twentieth century, in the times of Pancho Villa, U.S. military assigned to receive high honor Army, for bravery, form a squad under the command of Major Thorn (Gary Cooper) and will at desert, towards the base of Cordura. Along with them following the Mexican farmer, Adelaide Geary (Rita Hayworth), born American, to stand trial for treason, since it would collaborate with the enemy. Along the way discovers the fragility of Thorn, by knowing that he would have cowered in battle, causing mistrust of the group at his command, at the same time if the group shows, mostly, without character and capable of low and despicable acts. Here, then, it creates an interesting situation: the heroes reveal themselves men of bad character, unworthy, especially receiving a medal for bravery, while the coward becomes a hero, dignified, empathetic, courageous, generous. And the woman is a curious character: for she is dying as a mother; for decent still, a companion to the disqualified only object of desire, and Thorn, the woman he probably sought, able to understand it and understand the reasons that led him to be labeled a coward. Gary Cooper has a great performance. Would say that old for the role might even be true, but he plays with great skill. James Stewart also faced this problem in "The Man who shot Liberty Valance." They said it was old for the role, but spent so much time after shooting (1962), someone today would like to see another one in its place? Van Heflin has, with much certainty, the best performance of his career. The hero of "3: 10 to Yuma" and the bold and honest farmer "Shane" gave rise to negligible Chawk. Richard Conte (Trubee) and Dick York (Renziehausen) are great in their roles and Tab Hunter (Fowler), could have been better. An actor was booming at the time (1959) and I confess I expected more from him. Michael Callan (Hetherington) does little in the film, but has an understated performance, no compromises. Who stands undoubtedly is Rita Hayworth in late career. Still beautiful and huge screen presence, Rita, has a performance worthy of record. The story is rough, tough, as is the journey to Cordura, which reveals the hidden side of each, the true side of the supposed heroes, not as admirable as the moment of glory one lived. For Thorn, a sort of Christ, the journey is his redemption. When tying the rope "railroad handcar," the snared in her body and pulls, it's like finally carry his cross, even though it would only suffering. Gary Cooper does a great performance. They say that the film would be a reference source among homosexual characters of Gary Cooper and Tab Hunter. At least the copies I saw, never identified it. For me, a great movie. I want to see him still many other times.

The setting for this ambitious 1959 film is the 1916 U.S./Mexican border conflict. Entrance into WWI is imminent and Gary Cooper plays a major who escorts five men to the the New Mexican base town of Cordura (which means "courage"). The five men are candidates for the Medal of Honor; they've proved themselves courageous in battle and the government wants heroes to promote military recruitment. Cooper is chosen for the job to shame him since he acted cowardly in his last (only) battle. Along for the ride is Rita Hayworth, an alcoholic American expatriate charged with aiding the Mexicans.Cooper's character is in incredible agony throughout the picture. Courage is the one thing he believes he lacks and so he marvels at the trait, even if the person possessing it is a scumbag in every other way. He perceives courage as the noblest human quality, redeeming a person from all other flaws, no matter how bad. His past cowardice naturally compels him to over-compensate as the leader of the group, which doesn't win him any friends, if you know what I mean."They Came to Cordura" is a Western, I suppose, but it's more accurately a lost-in-the-desert/survival story (e.g. "The Flight of the Phoenix," "Sands of the Kalahari"). The entire film takes place in the desert wilderness. The group experiences hardships and set-backs on the journey. Four of the men become increasingly hostile toward the major, propelled by the authority-hating, rivalrous sergeant (Van Heflin).The film will appeal to anyone who, like me, is into lost-in-the-wilderness type stories. Unfortunately, although the screenplay and subject matter (What is courage?) are ambitious and highly thought-provoking, the execution is less than satisfactory. The dialogue/delivery is dated and the acting, at times, less than authentic. Still, the material is taken seriously by all involved.One highlight of the film is redhead Rita Hayworth. This is the first and only film I've ever seen her in. My only previous exposure to her was that famous WWII era photo of her in a nightgown with her hand in her hair. As far as I'm concerned that picture doesn't do her justice. She looks and is completely different than the image that picture conveys. At the time of filming she was almost 41 years old. Her character in the film compassionately relates to Cooper's character for reasons revealed in the story.I've heard that the film was originally a 2.5 hour piece; unfortunately it was taken out of the director's hands and about 30 or so minutes were cut. Director Robert Rossen was in the process of putting together a director's cut when he unexpectedly died in 1966.BOTTOM LINE: Yes, the film's reach exceeds its grasp and, yes, it is dated, but I really appreciate this film. I can see why some would give it a low rating while others consider a near-masterpiece. Cooper's torturous performance is potent and Rita Hayworth is splendid. The ending wherein Cooper endeavors to move a train cart or die trying is a moving image. The film does succeed in provoking the viewer to consider the nature of courage, despite its flaws.GRADE: C+

This movie contains some good acting by all the cast. Overall the story is a good idea for a psychological Western, which could have been a really good dramatic movie. However, it is not written well, or maybe it was chopped up in editing. Story-wise its more like a book but with the deep thinking not effectively translated onto the screen, or at least Capt.Thorn's motivations not explained believably enough for me.The drama is done in a rather non-dynamic style, seeming more like just a collection of individual characters rather than an ensemble. Also, the ending is a bit abrupt and it puzzles me from a character standpoint. Cooper performs his usual good understated acting and notable screen presence, but he has aged considerably and his health is obviously in decline to the point where you don't believe he could either chase Pancho Villa or handle the rigors of this story's long journey. Rita Hayworth gives a fine performance- too bad its pretty much wasted in this movie. The supporting actors are also very good, especially Van Heflin, Dick York and Richard Conte.Good wide-screen scenery of rugged Utah and Mexico locations. All of the production values are first-rate.Can't really recommend this movie except for the opportunity to see a fine Rita Hayworth dramatic performance. This is definitely one of Cooper's weaker films, but he was able to courageously overcome health issues to make two outstanding late films- "Wreck of the Mary Deare" and "The Hanging Tree". Look for them to see proof that he still had the right stuff, despite "They Came to Cordura".