They Came To Cordura (1959, Gary Cooper, Rita Hayworth)a

When Mexican rebels under Pancho Villa cross into American territory in 1916, the United States Army sends an expeditionary force to capture him. Major Thomas Horn (Gary Cooper) is accused of cowardice, and then appointed as awards officer by his superior Colonel Rogers, (Robert Keith) who hopes that Horn will cite him for bravery and thus aid his promotion to general. Horn however cites five other men for the Medal of Honour, and not the Colonel.

The Colonel is furious and orders Horn and his nominees to accompany a prisoner, Adelaide Geary, (Rita Hayworth) the daughter of a disgraced US Senator who has unreasonably been charged with aiding and abetting the enemy, to Cordura, fully expecting them all to die in the desert. It is here that Horn’s true qualities rise to the surface, as his men rebel and the difficulties of the journey weigh heavy upon him.

production details
USA | 123 minutes | 1959

Director: Robert Rossen
Writers: Ivan Moffat, Robert Rossen

cast
Gary Cooper as Major Thomas Thorn
Dick York as Pvt. Wilbur James Renziehausen
Tab Hunter as Lt. William Fowler
Rita Hayworth as Adelaide Geary
Van Heflin as Sgt. John Chawk
Richard Conte as Cpl. Milo Trubee
Michael Callan as Pvt. Andrew L. Hetherington
Robert Keith as Col. Rogers
Edward Platt as Col. DeRose
Carlos Romero as Arreaga
Jim Bannon as Capt. Paltz