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 conquistadors.

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 can we do?

The defense of this town has to be in the town,

not on the road.

Ah!

Accurate gunfire, 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 in the United States.

My partner and I are trying to find out

where the raiders are coming from.

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

Well, if that's where they come from,

that's where we'll find them.

The conquistadors, they have come to kill us!

We thought they'd killed ya.

They all get away?

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

Knew exactly what they was doing.

Couldn't have taken them 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.

Thank you.

Hyah!

You wish something, señor?

I'd like some food.

It is siesta.

No one eats during siesta in Mexico.

Well, my stomach has insomnia.

All right, my wife will make some tacos.

Gracias.

Enh.

Hey, you are a stranger in San Pedro.

Are you not, señor?

Hey, why don't you encourage me to play for you?

Consider yourself encouraged.

For that kind of money, señor, 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 they wear: it's bulletproof.

Must be some kind of a special alloy.

Ah, I followed them to a mountain near here,

and they just seemed to disappear.

You too?

I was beginning to think I needed eyeglasses

till I found out they had some kind of a secret pass

hidden up there.

Did you see it?

No, one of the natives

gave me some information about it.

It's called Vasquez Pass.

All that live within miles of it,

they believe it leads to the valley

of those who never die.

Cortez has been in his grave over 300 years,

yet these people refuse to believe it.

You do not believe that he still lives, señor?

Perdóname, señor el capitán.

I am Capitán 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-I-I only was saying, señor el capitán,

that the foolish ones try to go in there.

The wise ones, like myself,

we only talk about it, and that's all.

Márchate.

Sí, sí, señor el capitán. Con permiso.

For your sake, Señor 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 is a good time to find out why.

I have tried to warn you. I can do no more.

It is quite likely, Señor 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 do extend your arms, señor.

Bandito, you would not have me and my horse

had it not been frightened by the rattlesnake.

I see. Such is the way of life.

Come out.

Please, señor, I have a wife and many children.

Take my few miserable pesos,

but do not leave me for the snakes.

Hm.

Yes, snake, that's a horrible way to die.

Well... I could hang you.

Or I could eliminate the snake.

Now, señor...

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,

but what's going on, Jim?

I don't know.

What do you say we find out?

Señores, please do help.

My father is hurt.

The conquistadors, they are dead?

Sí, señor, as 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, señor...

Juan Ramirez. This is my daughter, Cosina.

Encantado.

Why were those men after you?

Where did you come from?

We are from the village of Buena Vista.

The far end of the valley,

in the shadow of Topoctal, the fire mountain.

The fire mountain?

The volcano, señores.

I told her, it is no use.

I must go back.

The mountain will be angry.

It will kill all our people.

That is impossible, señor.

The mountains around here have had no fire at all

for hundreds of years.

No, señor, believe me, Topoctal 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.

Qué dice, señor? Inside the volcano?

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

The legend says they cannot never be killed.

That even fire cannot destroy them.

Where's your village?

Why, señor?

Maybe I can do something about this spirit of Cortez.

If you only could, but they are immortal.

Tell me, señor, those conquistadors there,

are they immortal?

Our village is... Is through those canyons

following the rising ground, but...

But it is not easy to find.

I'll find it.

Why don't I take these two back to San Pedro, señor?

They can be safe with the rurales

and I join you there.

All right.

Señor.

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.

Señor.

I have made my father understand.

I take you to Buena Vista.

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

But, señor, we are wasting time.

Why did you do that, señor?

It's a marker so my friend can follow.

Let's go.

There is Buena Vista, señor.

Is that the volcano where they live?

Sí, that is Topoctal.

We 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, Cosina.

Where have you taken your father?

I am 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 Cortez.

Capitán Allesandro, let him live.

He has only a few more years.

Your father was chosen.

It is an honor to die for 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.

Jim.

Don't bother going. There's no one there.

They get the girl? Yeah.

You know, uh, 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 they 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 no bite.

Hang your heads!

Bend them.

Hang your heads before the great god, Cortez.

Hang your heads.

Bend them.

No wonder these poor people are terrified.

Hang your heads before the great god, Cortez.

Bow your heads.

Bend them.

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 Topoctal.

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 Topoctal.

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.

Puts on 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, hm?

Just like any other man.

And why not?

Some day, 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 Topoctal

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 Topoctal

has continued to demand sacrifices.

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

Never.

What a waste.

You look as a goddess should,

and to be nothing but a stupid peon,

destined for the mines like all the others.

Better 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 skin that is now blotched and withered

like something out of the tomb.

Papa!

But, you're...

Hurt?

No, 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 is destined to be sacrificed, huh?

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.

Hush, 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.

You make a sound, I'll kill you.

Where's the old man and the girl?

El dungeon.

Is there only one entrance into the mountain?

It is the only one I know.

Well, considering the alternatives

Cortez has given you,

you've got just two 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.

You see, my dear, I'm not the tyrant you thought.

You asked 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.

Cosina... no...

I cannot let you make

so great a sacrifice for an old man.

This is Cosina's choice to make.

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 Topoctal.

Guards, seize him.

So you are James West.

Apparently, the United States thought enough

of my little incursions across the border

to send its most famous agent.

Unfortunately, my picture won't appear

in the criminal hall of fame

because you will never return to identify me.

Quite an ingenious little hideout.

Yes, it is, isn't it?

I like your volcano.

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 endure 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.

Topoctal 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 patrón, 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, señor.

I make many French dishes from recipes

handed down by my ancestors.

Indeed? Sí.

Very well, you shall have your chance.

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

Gracias. Gracias, señor.

You will never regret it, I promise you.

What is it?

It's your food, señores.

Is chicken?

Sí, señores.

No, no, this is chicken in wine for you.

Sheer ambrosia, if I say so myself.

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.

For him, wheat cakes.

Hey, gringo.

Here's your dinner, enh?

Eat it carefully, for it is your last meal.

They're out, Jim.

Thanks, Artie.

I'm setting the timer.

You got 12 minutes before this thing goes off...

on the gunpowder.

Ah, Morales, one of my eyes to the outside world.

What brings you here?

I come from San Pedro, señor

Captain Rojas sent me.

And...

Allesandro 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, señor.

I saw Juan Ramirez with my own eyes.

He's there this very minute.

And the man in the kitchen is...

Find him!

Where's the girl?

Cortez gave her a room of her own.

I gotta go get her.

Good, warn the townspeople. Tell them to evacuate.

Right.

Those are just some diversionary bombs

I set off all over the place.

Artie, some day they're gonna dedicate a statue to you.

Thank you.

I'm gonna find Cortez.

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

Fool! You'll kill us all.

Your stupid explosives are bringing the volcano to life.

Kill him!

The village of Buena Vista dies, señores.

But now that it dies, is 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, uh...

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 uncles.

Oh, a niece.