Original subtitles

Gentlemen, I've studied the terrain of your town.

Soledad is an even easier target than those towns already raided.

Frankly, I'm surprised you haven't been attacked yet.

But how can you defend against men who cannot be killed?

Gray shadows with helmets and armor shining in the moonlight.

They are the men of Cortez and his conquistadores.

They have lived for hundreds of years.

Gentlemen, if you're going to believe in ghosts, I can't help you.

They come, they kill, and then they disappear.

Before they disappear, they manage to empty your bank, loot, and steal.

Now, gentlemen, how many men can handle a gun well?

We've already posted sentries on every road leading into the town. What else

we do?

The defense of this town has to be in the town, not in the road.

Woo!

Here and here.

If in the event they get past this first outpost, we'll have men here at the

bank and at the livery stable.

We're not soldiers.

Why don't the federal government send men in?

Because the federal government cannot defend every border town of the United

States. My partner and I are trying to find out where the raiders are coming

from. They've come from the past, from the shadows of history.

Well, if that's where they come from, that's where we'll find them.

We thought they'd kill you.

They all get away?

Robbed the bank and cleaned out Judd Hamilton's gun shop. Knew exactly what

was doing.

Couldn't have taken more than three minutes for the whole thing.

You saw them, Mr. West.

I was right.

They are the men of Cortez. They were wearing armor. They had muskets and

crossbows. Which way were they headed?

South, for the Mexican border.

You wish something, senor?

I'd like some food.

It is siesta. No one eats during siesta in Mexico.

My stomach has insomnia.

All right.

My wife will make some tacos.

Gracias.

Hey, you're a stranger in San Pedro, are you not, senor?

And why don't you encourage me to play for you?

Consider yourself encouraged.

Hey, for that kind of money, senor, I even play for you in tune.

The Raiders hit Soledad.

The reason they're not killed off in those attacks is because of the armor

wear. It's bulletproof.

Must be some kind of a special alloy.

Yeah, I found them to a mountain near here and they just seemed to disappear.

You too?

I was beginning to think I needed eyeglasses until I found out they had

kind of a secret pass hidden up there.

You see it?

No. One of the natives gave me some information about it.

It's called Vasquez Pass.

No one will go within miles of it to believe it leads to the valley of those

never die.

Cortez has been in his grave over 300 years, yet these people refuse to

it.

You do not believe that he still lives, senor.

I am Captain.

Rojas, of the rurales.

There is something on your mind, perhaps?

Yes, Captain.

Bandits. Ah, an old story.

Bandidos. Up to an old, old game.

Raiding American border towns.

I've traced them to your area.

I see.

You're of the police?

Yes. But you're aware, surely, that you are now in Mexico, on foreign soil.

Signed by our own Presidente Juarez.

Granting you permission to take whatever steps are necessary on our soil.

Our friend here was just telling me about Vasquez Pass.

I only was saying, Senor El Capitan, that the foolish ones tried to go in

The wise ones like myself, we only talk about it. That's all.

Marchese. Si, si, Senor El Capitan. Con permiso.

For your sake, Senor West.

I would advise that you return to your country immediately.

Captain, that's very disappointing.

I was expecting your cooperation.

Many men have tried to find out what lies beyond those mountain passes.

They have gone up there, but none has come back.

Now's a good time to find out why.

I have tried to warn you.

I can do no more.

It is quite likely, Senor West, that you're a very brave man.

It is most unfortunate that in addition, you're also very stubborn.

Did I hear you say you're going to attempt the Vasquez Pass?

That's right.

Please do enjoy your last meal.

Please to extend your arms, senor.

Bandito, you would not have me if my horse had not been frightened by the

rattlesnake. I see.

Such is the way of life.

Come out.

Many children.

Take my few miserable pesos.

But do not leave me for the snakes.

Oh.

Yes.

Snake, that's a horrible way to die.

Well, I could hang you.

Or I could eliminate the snake.

Now, senor, this little vial

contains acid.

And in a few hours, it will eat through the metal.

And you can feel free to go home and kiss your wife and many children.

Hasta luego.

Dead?

Yeah, he's dead.

Not that it makes any difference for what's going on, Jim. I don't know.

At least till we find out.

Senores, please do help.

My father is hurt.

The conquistadores.

They are dead.

These senores dead as mutton.

But they told us they could not die.

You see, Papa?

They have filled you and all the others with nothing but lies.

Con permiso.

That is a very nasty saber cut, senor Juan Ramirez.

This is my daughter, Cocina.

Encantado.

Why were those men after you?

Where did you come from?

We are from the village of Buena Vista.

At the far end of the valley...

In the shadow of Topocatel, the fire mountain.

The fire mountain?

The volcano, señores.

My daughter, it is no use. I must go back.

The mountain will be angry. It will kill all our people.

It's impossible, señor. The mountains around here have had no fire at all for

hundreds of years.

No, señor. Believe me, Topocatel is alive.

Soon the noise will come.

Then the smoke.

Then the sky will be all black.

And the flaming earth will run down the mountain and burn our village to the

ground.

Only I can stop it.

How?

By returning?

This is why I make him run away.

By tomorrow he was to be sacrificed to the god of that volcano.

My father will not believe that the legend is a lie.

He does not have to go back.

Who is this god of the volcano?

The white god.

The spirit of Cortez.

And where do I find the spirit of Cortez?

He lives in the mountain of fire.

Inside the volcano?

See, this is what the rest of my people believe.

The legend says they cannot never be killed. That even fire cannot destroy

Where's your village?

Why, senor? Maybe I can do something about this spirit of Cortez.

If you only could.

But they are immortal.

Tell me, senor.

Those conquistadores there, are they immortal?

Our village is through those canyons, following the rising ground.

But it is not easy to find.

I'll find it.

Why don't I take these two back to St. Pedro, senor?

I can be safe with the Rarales when I join you there.

Senor, the way is difficult.

Maybe I should lead you there.

No, no, it would be very dangerous for you.

It is you they want.

Ah, papa, I will be all right.

Senor!

I have made my father understand.

I take you to Buena Vista.

I appreciate that, but I can't let you do it.

But, senor, we are wasting time.

Why did you do that, senor?

It's a marker so my friend can follow.

Let's go.

There

is

Buena Vista, senor.

Is that the volcano where they live?

That is Topocat.

Better go on foot from here.

My house is that one on the other side of the square.

Go to your house. Stay there.

I'll meet you there later.

Be careful.

You have made a serious mistake, Christina.

Have you taken your father?

I'm waiting. Where?

I have taken him far away where he is safe from you and the rest of your

killers. You know the penalty for breaking the law of Cortes, huh?

Captain Alessandro, let him live.

He has only a few more years. Your father was chosen. It is an honor to die

your God.

He is not my God.

So?

It's too bad.

The God Cortez has seen you. In his eyes, you are the most beautiful girl in

your village.

He would have given you many favors.

Don't bother.

Maybe the girl? Yeah.

You know, I've been doing a little reconnoitering.

This character calls himself Cortez. He's got this whole town under his heel.

It's like some feudal state.

All of those peons enslaved to him and his men.

They're too frightened or too superstitious to fight back. And even if

could, what could they do? They're farmers.

Don't know how to handle a thing like that.

Well, the old man was telling the truth.

They do have some kind of setup in the volcano.

I found the entrance.

What are you talking about? Inside the volcano?

I thought it was inactive.

How do we know that for sure, Artie?

You mean like some dogs, huh?

All bark and they'll bite.

My children, your god Cortez has found it necessary to come among

you so that he may speak.

One of you has endangered all your lives by angering the mountain of fire.

He was given the great honor of offering his life to mighty Topoctle, but he

chose instead

to seek the outside world of sin.

When he left your village, he left you at the mercy of the volcano.

Hear this from Cortez.

You have seen mighty Topoctle.

You have heard the great fury of his voice.

If Cortez were not here to protect you, you would already have been consumed by

his fire and molten lava.

But I, Cortez, have pleaded with the Fire Mountain to accept another

of you as the sacrifice.

The Mountain has agreed.

Only because the sacrifice is of the same blood.

Therefore, at dawn, when the sun rises over the Fire Mountain, the sacrifice

will be consummated.

And her blood will keep you safe until it is time again.

Looks like a great little show, doesn't he?

Artie, there's a lot to be done.

It all has to be done before dawn.

You were born with the beauty of a goddess, Cosina.

A woman fit for a god.

You can choose to be exalted to that position, or you can die.

So, the great god Cortez wants a woman, eh?

Just like any other man.

And why not?

Someday, Cosina.

I will go back to America where I will live out my days in the splendor of a

king.

You could go with me.

King?

You are but a thief.

The blood of my people stains your hands.

Shall I tell you a secret, Cosina?

All the villagers that mighty Topoctle called forth for sacrifice, they were

never sacrificed.

And my father?

He would not have been... Sacrificed?

No.

He would merely have been sent down into the mines like all the others.

What mines?

Deep in this old volcano.

There are deposits of mercury.

Extremely valuable, but difficult and dangerous to mine.

Now do things begin to seem a little clearer?

Then this sacrifice...

This is the way you chose to get your miners?

It was the only way, Cosina.

You see, what with the great heat down there and breathing mercury ore dust, my

miners don't last very long.

That is why mighty Topoctle has continued to demand sacrifices.

And you think I would have to do with such as you?

What a waste.

To look as a goddess Jordan to be nothing but a stupid peon destined

for the mines like all the others.

Bear, the mines.

Let me tell you about them first.

There's something about the mercury -laden atmosphere down there that plays

magic tricks on the poor devils.

Young men and young ladies, as the case may be.

are transformed in a matter of weeks, months at the most, into mummies,

living still but with skins now blotched and withered like something out of the

tomb.

Cosina, I am not hurt.

Set your heart to rest.

And say no more, Cosina.

Where did you find him? We didn't.

He gave himself up. So the old fool actually believes he's destined to be

sacrificed, eh?

He said he wanted to save his daughter.

Excellent.

We'll have to make sure the mountain appears pleased.

Old man,

the God Cortez will be glad to accept your bargain.

Don't cry, my daughter.

Do not cry.

There was no choice.

When I heard what had happened, that they had taken you, I had

to do this.

I could not let you die for me.

Of course, old man, your life can be spared also.

It is up to the willingness of your daughter.

But what does she... She knows the terms.

I will expect your answer before sunup.

Now, Doc, tell you.

Where's the old man and the girl?

They're gone.

Is there only one entrance into the mountain?

She's the only one I know.

Well, considering the alternatives Cortez has given you, you've got just

things you can hope for.

Two things?

Yeah.

One, that Jim manages to get inside. Or two, that the sun doesn't come up in the

morning.

Ask for an interview and it is granted.

Ask for anything but your freedom.

If I am to be the woman of the god Cortez, then it must be with honor.

Promise me that my father will not be harmed and I will marry you.

Cocina.

No.

I cannot let you make so great a sacrifice for an old man. This is

choice to make.

Do you think I could possibly make you a goddess unless I made you my wife?

Come.

My future bride shall share my table.

No doubt another victim can be found to appease the hunger of the Pacto.

So you are James West.

Apparently, the United States thought enough of my little incursions across

border to send its most famous agent.

Unfortunately, my picture won't appear at the Criminal Hall of Fame because you

will never return to identify me.

What an ingenious little hideout. Yes, it is, isn't it? And I like your

Quite an achievement, don't you agree?

To turn a dead volcano into an extremely active source of terror, complete with

smoke, noise, and fireworks.

Quite an achievement, Mr... Landon.

William Landon. Well, that name doesn't ring any bells.

There's no reason why it should.

You see, years ago, I was one of the few obscure American mining engineers in

Mexico until I discovered the virtues of this inactive volcano.

And some cutthroats.

And the superstitious magic of a legend.

Ah, yes.

The legend.

It provided me with manpower.

You mean slave power.

You don't need to shed any tears for them, Mr. West. They won't have to

it much longer.

Soon I will have enough wealth to return to the United States, where I shall

enjoy my well -earned luxury.

I wouldn't make any bets on that.

See that our friend here is kept in good condition until dawn.

Topato likes his sacrifices in reasonably good health.

Till then, Mr. West.

Now, old man, since you must live out your days down here, you must make

yourself useful.

What can you do?

Señor patron, if...

If you like good food. I do.

Oh, I am the finest cook in all of Mexico.

Everything flavored with your abominable chili, I suppose.

Oh, no, senor.

I make many French dishes from recipes handed down by my ancestors.

Indeed, si.

Very well.

You shall have your chance.

You will be assigned to cooking for me and my men.

Gracias. Gracias, senor.

You will never regret it, I promise you.

What is it?

Your food, senores.

It's chicken.

Si, senores. No, no, no.

This is chicken in wine for you.

Sure ambrosia, if I say so myself, senores.

I was told also to... feed the gringo who is to be sacrificed in the morning.

Where do I find him?

You're in the right place, old man.

Eh, for him, wheat cakes are good enough.

Hey, gringo.

Here's your dinner, eh?

Eat it carefully, for it is your last meal.

Setting the timer.

You got 12 minutes before this thing goes off on the gunpowder.

One of my eyes to the outside world.

What brings you here?

I come from San Pedro, senor. Captain Rojas sent me.

And?

Alessandro says you are marrying the daughter of Juan Ramirez tomorrow.

So?

Old Juan has given his blessing.

That is why Rojas sent me.

Juan Ramirez is in San Pedro.

That's impossible.

It's the truth, senor. I saw Juan Ramirez with my own eyes. He's there

minute.

And the man in the kitchen is... Find him!

Where's the girl?

Cortez gave her a room order.

Rone, I gotta go get her.

Good. Warn the townspeople. Tell them to evacuate.

Right.

Just some diversionary bombs I set off all over the place.

Artie, someday they're going to dedicate a statue to you. Thank you. I'm going

to find Cortez. Good idea, because I set off a few around here, too.

Don't kill us all.

You stupid explosives will bring the volcano to life.

The village of Buena Vista dies, señores.

But now that it dies, it's born again.

My people thank you.

For when we build a new village, it will be as free people.

Well... Nobody needs two fathers, so... Is there any

other relationship you'd care to discuss?

I am sorry.

Hey, Artie, if you're not doing anything, maybe she needs a couple

Oh, a niece.