zardoz-13 Review of Cannon for Cordoba

Cannon for Cordoba (1970)

Gritty, Action-Packed Mission Movie In Mexico

[8/10 · 6 August 2014]

George Peppard plays a tough-as-nails U.S. Army Captain in "Guns of the Magnificent Seven" director Paul Wendkos' rugged adventure actioneer "Cannon for Cordoba" who has to spike a number of cannon stolen from General John J. Pershing's troops on the Arizona-Mexican border in the early 1900s. Basically, Cordoba is a version of Pancho Villa who raided the American border in New Mexico and brought the wrath of President Wilson and the U.S. Army down on his neck. European actor Raf Vallone of "Obsession" makes an impressive as well as villainous Cordoba. Cordoba's men infiltrate the town where Pershing's cannon are parked, and they shoot it out with the Army. This battle is skillfully lensed and staged by Windkos with bravado. Mind you, this isn't a minor shootout, but a major one in terms of the numbers of men that bite the dust. Captain Douglas (George Peppard of "The Blue Max") saves Pershing's life during the raid when the Mexicans surprise the Army and try to kill Pershing. Once Cordoba's troops have stolen the guns, they take them to a remote outpost in the mountains. Douglas and his group of ragtag, guard house reprobates set out on a dangerous mission with a Federale captain. The Federale captain brings a lady friend of Cordoba along with him when he enters Cordoba's impregnable fortress. Gritty, fast-paced, explosive heroics punctuate this mission-oriented, turn-of-the-century western. Elmer Bernstein provided the flavorful orchestral score. John Russell of "Lawman" fame is effectively cast as General Pershing. Don Gordon and Pete Duel co-star in this predictable but entertaining he-man opus.