They Came to Cordura

They Came to Cordura is a 1959 American Western film co-written and directed by Robert Rossen and starring Gary Cooper, Rita Hayworth, Van Heflin and Tab Hunter.

Thorn, excused from the fighting, observes through his binoculars various acts of heroism by Lieutenant Fowler, Sergeant Chawk, Corporal Trubee and Private Renziehausen in defeating Villa's men.

A series of harrowing incidents make it clear that the apparent heroes were motivated by ambition, terror, or chance, while it is the disgraced Thorn who possesses moral courage.

[3] In a March 1959 Variety article, it was announced that the movie would be a "roadshow" release, with a 3-hour runtime and special overture and entre-act music from composer Elie Siegmeister.

[4] Author Glendon Swarthout got the idea for his novel after he had obtained eyewitness accounts for Medal of Honor citations while serving with the 3rd Infantry Division in Southern France during World War II.

"[6] A film tie-in song written by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen was recorded by Frank Sinatra and Robert Horton.