Cannon for Cordoba (1970)

A Mexican revolutionary named Cordoba (Raf Vallone) has embarrassed the U.S. Army and Gen. Pershing by raiding a supply train and making off with six cannon.

Capt. Rod Douglas, who had already infiltrated Cordoba’s revolutionary force once, is dispatched to destroy and guns and bring Cordoba back for trial.

And he’s supposed to accomplish that mission with just three men, the unwanted assistance of a Mexican regular officer and a pretty young woman (Giovanna Ralli as Leonara) who’s supposed to distract Cordoba at just the right time.

Complicating matters: Jackson, one of those men, wants Douglas dead for letting his brother die in Cordoba’s hands.

And Leonara could care less about bringing Cordoba back alive. She wants him dead for killing her family and raping her.

Review:

Okay as a time killer, but this is routine in every possible way and nothing the cast does lifts it above the routine.

And that’s certainly the case for Peppard’s performance as the cool, but tough-as-nails leader of the small patrol.

In fact, except for the time period — Mexico in 1912 — you’ll be forgiven if come away thinking, I’ve seen it all before.

And fans of the lovely Giovanna Ralli should be forewarned that she doesn’t show up until the second half of the film and her role feels shoe-horned into the plot.

Directed by:
Paul Wendkos

Cast:
George Peppard … Capt. Rod Douglas
Giovanna Ralli … Leonara
Raf Vallone … Cordoba
Pete Duel … Andy Rice
Don Gordon … Jaskon Harkness
Nico Minardos … Peter
Gabriele Tinti … Antonio
John Larch … Warner
Francine York … Sophia
John Russell … John Pershing
Lionel Murton … Col. Hammond
Hans Meyer … Svedborg
Richard Pendrey … Adam
Takis Emmanuel … Campo
Charles Stalmaker … Capt. Riggs
John Clark … Maj. Wall

Runtime: 104 min.

Memorable lines:

Gen. Cordoba, to new recruits: “Remember, better to die on your feet than live on your knees.”

Capt. Douglas to Capt. Riggs, or Cordoba: “He’s counting on surprise. If you’re ready, you can cut him up in pieces. So be ready.”

Col. Hammond: “They should be taught a lesson.”
Capt. Douglas: “Lessons, colonel, are taught in a classroom. You are talking about killing people to prove a point. Those people will fight to prove a point.”

Andy Rice to Douglas: “I enjoy watching you go into the jaws of death and come out with somebody’s gold filling.”

Douglas, of his small patrol: “There’s no rank. We’re all equals. Except me. I’m a little more equal.”

Douglas to Leonora: “You’re volunteering for a job a whore might turn down.”
Leonora: “I have my reasons.”
Douglas: “Well, this job works by my reasons. You don’t fit into it.”

Leonora to Antonio: “Your Capt. Douglas is a good match for Cordoba. With luck, they’ll kill each other.”

Cordoba, about Svedborg, his sadistic second in command: “I overlook cruelty for efficiency.”

Douglas to Antonio: “Two things you never do with a woman — argue with them, or trust them.”

Cordoba: “This was the father superior’s room. I took it for my own.”
Leonora: “How pious of you.”

Douglas: “The trouble being a hero is the morning after.”