They Came to Cordura 1959 fmovies

They Came to Cordura FMovies

In 1916, as U.S. soldiers chase after Pancho Villa, Army Major Thomas Thorn is assigned to be a battlefield observer and reward heroism. He has been suggested for this duty by Colonel Rogers, who is 63 years old and impatiently yearning to be promoted to general before mandatory retirement a few months hence.

Observing Acts of Heroism

Rogers leads his regiment in an old-fashioned but poorly planned cavalry charge on Ojos Azules, a villa owned by Adelaide Geary where Villa’s men withdrew after a victory over Mexican government troops, enjoying her hospitality. 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.

Conflict and Moral Courage

Rogers is proud of having personally led the charge, but furious when Thorn will not nominate him for a citation. Thorn insists that leading his regiment in the charge was “in the line of duty” and refuses to consider a citation for the Medal of Honor, awarded for heroism “above and beyond the call of duty.” Rogers reminds Thorn that he protected him from an investigation for cowardice, which he did out of respect for Thorn’s father, but that does not sway Thorn.

Thorn intends to recommend the four soldiers for the Medal of Honor. He is ordered to take along Mrs. Geary, who is charged with “giving aid and comfort to the enemy.” Private Andrew Hetherington, nominated by Thorn for a medal after an earlier battle, rides with them to the expedition’s base at the Texas town of Cordura.

Complexities and Betrayal

This seemingly simple task becomes increasingly complex as the incessant squabbling between Thorn and the men threatens to destroy them all. Eager to learn more about their acts of bravery, Thorn finds the men to be hostile toward him. 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. The men soon become insubordinate, ultimately turning against Thorn and forcing him to fight the soldiers to save his own life. The movie ends with the men learning personal, not physical, courage from Thorn’s example.

Watch They Came to Cordura on FMovies to experience the intense journey of Major Thorn and the soldiers as they navigate through heroism, betrayal, and moral courage.