1 9 7 6 – 1 9 7 8 (UK)
12 x 30 minute episodes
Within the Toltec civilisation of ancient Mexico, ritual human sacrifice was an accepted part of everyday life.
Our story begins as the old religion of the peaceful god Quala – ‘The Feathered Serpent’ – is coming to an end. Whereas Quala only demanded offerings of fruit and flowers, Nasca, the fanatical and power-hungry priest, calls for “blood, and yet more blood” to satisfy the new god Teshcata – ‘The Smoking Mirror’.
Against this backdrop, Tozo (Richard Willis) a young servant boy, is sent by his master Prince Heumac (Brian Deacon), King of the Toltecs, to the court of the mighty Emperor Kukulkhan (Tony Steedman) – a peaceful ruler who hopes to bring about the return of Quala by means of an arranged marriage between his daughter Empress Chimalma (Diane Keen) and Prince Heumac.
But Xipec (Granville Saxton), Governor of the Gold region, challenges the match and Heumac has to face a terrible ordeal to prove himself.
Tozo quickly becomes caught up in a battle between the forces of good and evil and must call upon all his strength and ingenuity to survive.
Originally transmitted between 1976 and 1978, this children’s drama series from Thames Television is memorable for its spectacular sets and lavish costumes. While most of the costumes were historically accurate, Chimalma’s outrageous wedding dress was designed by a Look-In reader as part of a competition.
Nasca
Patrick Troughton
Empress Chimalma
Diane Keen
Prince Heumac
Brian Deacon
Tozo
Richard Willis
Otolmi
George Cormack
Chadac
George Lane Cooper
Xipec
Granville Saxton
Mahoutec
Robert Gary
Keelag
Sheila Burrell
Mataque
Robert Russell
Emperor Kukulkhan
Tony Steedman
Leemu
Michael Jenkinson
Maxtla
Alfred Hoffman
