The backdrop is the Mexican revolutionary war of 1912. A self-styled Army officer named Rod Douglas (George Peppard, 'The A-Team') is tasked with heading into Mexico on what is basically a suicide mission. Since the U.S. Army cannot enter Mexico legally, it's the job of Douglas and his hand-picked men to locate the isolated stronghold of notorious bandit General Cordoba (Raf Vallone). There they must destroy the six cannons that Cordoba and his men were able to obtain during a raid. They must also bring back Cordoba alive. Among the several people on Douglas' team: his sidekick Jackson (the great character actor Don Gordon, "Bullitt"), who resents him for a plot development early in the tale, a fiery Mexican senorita named Leonora (Giovanna Ralli, "The Mercenary"), a straight-arrow Mexican Army officer (Gabriele Tinti, "The Flight of the Phoenix"), and the amiable pair Andy (the sadly short-lived Pete Duel, 'Love on a Rooftop') and Peter (Nico Minardos, "Day of the Evil Gun").
As you can see, the cast is strong, and they exude self-confidence, with an especially praiseworthy turn by Gordon. Also appearing are John Larch ("Dirty Harry"), John Russell ("Pale Rider"), as General Pershing, Francine York ("The Doll Squad"), and Hans Meyer ("The Riddle of the Sands") as a Swedish villain in league with Cordoba. While it's true that Vallone is not particularly menacing, he does possess charisma, and is an easy enough antagonist to watch. Peppard makes for a very watchable hero. Aldo Sambrell (Sergio Leones' "Dollars" trilogy) has an uncredited cameo as Ortega.
Given efficient direction by under-rated journeyman Paul Wendkos ("Guns of the Magnificent Seven", "The Mephisto Waltz"), "Cannon for Cordoba" is good fun for action and Western fans, with a straightforward script by TV veteran Stephen Kandel ('MacGyver'). There's room for humor, and some generally well-executed set pieces. The widescreen photography (on location in Mexico and Spain) by Antonio Macasoli is first-rate, and Elmer Bernstein gives the proceedings a typical boost with his rousing score. The tension between Douglas and Jackson leads to an inevitable confrontation at the end, and Peppard and Gordon play it very well.
"Cannon for Cordoba" doesn't attain classic status, but it entertains capably for a reasonably paced 104 minutes.
Seven out of 10.
As you can see, the cast is strong, and they exude self-confidence, with an especially praiseworthy turn by Gordon. Also appearing are John Larch ("Dirty Harry"), John Russell ("Pale Rider"), as General Pershing, Francine York ("The Doll Squad"), and Hans Meyer ("The Riddle of the Sands") as a Swedish villain in league with Cordoba. While it's true that Vallone is not particularly menacing, he does possess charisma, and is an easy enough antagonist to watch. Peppard makes for a very watchable hero. Aldo Sambrell (Sergio Leones' "Dollars" trilogy) has an uncredited cameo as Ortega.
Given efficient direction by under-rated journeyman Paul Wendkos ("Guns of the Magnificent Seven", "The Mephisto Waltz"), "Cannon for Cordoba" is good fun for action and Western fans, with a straightforward script by TV veteran Stephen Kandel ('MacGyver'). There's room for humor, and some generally well-executed set pieces. The widescreen photography (on location in Mexico and Spain) by Antonio Macasoli is first-rate, and Elmer Bernstein gives the proceedings a typical boost with his rousing score. The tension between Douglas and Jackson leads to an inevitable confrontation at the end, and Peppard and Gordon play it very well.
"Cannon for Cordoba" doesn't attain classic status, but it entertains capably for a reasonably paced 104 minutes.
Seven out of 10.