Cannon for Cordoba

1h 44m 1970

Brief Synopsis

A ruthless Mexican general captures the army platoon sent to stop him.

Cast & Crew

Read More

Paul Wendkos

Director

George Peppard

Capt. Rod Douglas

Giovanna Ralli

Leonora

Raf Vallone

Cordoba

Pete Duel

Andy Rice

Don Gordon

Sgt. Jackson Harkness

Film Details

Also Known As
Dragon Master
MPAA Rating
Genre
Western
Action
Adventure
Release Date
Jan 1970
Premiere Information
Boston opening: 7 Oct 1970; Los Angeles opening: 14 Oct 1970
Production Company
Mirisch Productions, Inc.
Distribution Company
United Artists Corp.
Country
United States
Location
Spain

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 44m
Sound
Mono
Color
Color (DeLuxe)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
2.35 : 1

Synopsis

Hector Cordoba, a bandit who is also a general in Pancho Villa's Mexican revolutionary army, attacks a United States Army fort a short distance over the border. Gen. John Pershing blames Captain Douglas for not alerting the soldiers to the impending attack; he orders Douglas to capture Cordoba and bring him back to the United States for trial. For the mission, Douglas assembles a small commando band, including Andy Rice, Sgt. Jackson Harkness, Peter Andros, and Lieut. Antonio Gutierrez, the Mexican envoy. They depart for Mexico where they are to meet Leonora, a young woman who had been raped by Cordoba and is now willing to lead the commandos to his fortress headquarters. According to their plan, Leonora and Gutierrez are to pose as deserters to gain entry; once inside, Leonora is to seduce Cordoba and allow the commandos to capture him. Instead, Leonora betrays Gutierrez when they meet Cordoba, and Cordoba imprisons the entire commando unit. Douglas escapes from the jail, frees Rice and Gutierrez, and they seize Cordoba. Dynamite and flamethrowers are used to destroy the fortress, and Cordoba is shot by one of his own men as the commandos make their escape.

Director

Paul Wendkos

Director

Cast

George Peppard

Capt. Rod Douglas

Giovanna Ralli

Leonora

Raf Vallone

Cordoba

Pete Duel

Andy Rice

Don Gordon

Sgt. Jackson Harkness

Nico Minardos

Peter Andros

John Russell

Brig. Gen. John J. Pershing

Francine York

Sophia

John Larch

Harry Warner

Charles Stalnaker

Captain Riggs

John Clarke

Major Wall

Gabriele Tinti

Lieut. Antonio Gutierrez

Hans Meyer

Svedborg

Janis Hansen

Girl

Lionel Murton

Richard Pendry

Takis Emmanuel

Crew

Elmer Bernstein

Music

Richard Carruth

Music Editor

Eva Del Castillo

Script Supervisor

Roy Charman

Sound mix

Art Cole

Props master

Vincent M. Fennelly

Producer

Robert Goodstein

Production Manager

Walter Hannemann

Film Editor

Stephen Kandel

Associate Producer

Stephen Kandel

Writer

Antonio Macasoli

Director of Photography

Eduardo G. Maroto

Production Manager

Edward Morey Jr.

Prod Supervisor

Ricardo Navarrete

Camera Operator

José María Ochoa

Assistant Director

Adela Del Pino

Hairstyles

George Rice

Sound

Rafael Salazar

Set Decoration

Eric Seelig

Wardrobe

José María Tapiador

Art Director

Ricardo Vazquez

Makeup

Frank Warner

Sound Editing

Alex Weldon

Special Effects

Film Details

Also Known As
Dragon Master
MPAA Rating
Genre
Western
Action
Adventure
Release Date
Jan 1970
Premiere Information
Boston opening: 7 Oct 1970; Los Angeles opening: 14 Oct 1970
Production Company
Mirisch Productions, Inc.
Distribution Company
United Artists Corp.
Country
United States
Location
Spain

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 44m
Sound
Mono
Color
Color (DeLuxe)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
2.35 : 1

Articles

Cannon for Cordoba

January 5, 2011
By 1970, Elmer Bernstein was known throughout Hollywood and the global film community as one of the most gifted and versatile movie composers. While peers like Bernard Herrmann were producing fewer works, Bernstein was just beginning to hit his stride. With the score for Doctors' Wives (1970) already under his belt, Bernstein next submitted a rousing soundtrack for Cannon for Cordoba (1970), a revenge Western set amidst the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution. George Peppard plays an army general who is sent to recapture some cannons stolen by bandit chief Raf Vallone. Along the way he is joined by Giovanna Ralli as a peasant woman seeking retribution for her rape by the same outlaw.

While Cannon for Cordoba, also known as Dragon Master, wasn't praised for its historical accuracy, many critics admired Paul Wendkos' direction which put a distinctive mark on the proceedings. Other attributes were the stunning scenery (shot on location in Spain) and the score by Elmer Bernstein. Wendkos had worked with the composer before on Guns of the Magnificent Seven (1969), which was number three in the many sequels that popped up after the astonishing success of The Magnificent Seven in 1960.

Producer: Vincent M. Fennelly, Stephen Kandel (associate producer)
Director: Paul Wendkos
Screenplay: Stephen Kandel
Cinematography: Antonio Macasoli
Film Editing: Walter A. Hannemann
Original Music: Elmer Bernstein
Principal Cast: George Peppard (Capt. Rod Douglas), Giovanna Ralli (Leonora), Raf Vallone (Cordoba), Pete Duel (Andy Rice), Don Gordon (Jackson Harkness), C-105m.

by Scott McGee

Cannon For Cordoba

Cannon for Cordoba

By 1970, Elmer Bernstein was known throughout Hollywood and the global film community as one of the most gifted and versatile movie composers. While peers like Bernard Herrmann were producing fewer works, Bernstein was just beginning to hit his stride. With the score for Doctors' Wives (1970) already under his belt, Bernstein next submitted a rousing soundtrack for Cannon for Cordoba (1970), a revenge Western set amidst the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution. George Peppard plays an army general who is sent to recapture some cannons stolen by bandit chief Raf Vallone. Along the way he is joined by Giovanna Ralli as a peasant woman seeking retribution for her rape by the same outlaw. While Cannon for Cordoba, also known as Dragon Master, wasn't praised for its historical accuracy, many critics admired Paul Wendkos' direction which put a distinctive mark on the proceedings. Other attributes were the stunning scenery (shot on location in Spain) and the score by Elmer Bernstein. Wendkos had worked with the composer before on Guns of the Magnificent Seven (1969), which was number three in the many sequels that popped up after the astonishing success of The Magnificent Seven in 1960. Producer: Vincent M. Fennelly, Stephen Kandel (associate producer) Director: Paul Wendkos Screenplay: Stephen Kandel Cinematography: Antonio Macasoli Film Editing: Walter A. Hannemann Original Music: Elmer Bernstein Principal Cast: George Peppard (Capt. Rod Douglas), Giovanna Ralli (Leonora), Raf Vallone (Cordoba), Pete Duel (Andy Rice), Don Gordon (Jackson Harkness), C-105m. by Scott McGee

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

Filmed on location in Spain. Prerelease title: Dragon Master.

Miscellaneous Notes

Released in United States October 7, 1970

Released in United States Winter January 1, 1970

Released in United States Winter January 1, 1970

Released in United States October 7, 1970 (Boston)

TCM Emails

Sign Up now to stay up to date with all of the latest news from TCM.

©2024 Turner Classic Movies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
©2024 Turner Classic Movies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
By using this site, you agree to our updated Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use