Within the Toltec civilisation of ancient Mexico (which preceded the mighty Aztecs), 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 (Patrick Troughton), the fanatical and power-hungry High 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) of the Toltecs, to the court of the mighty Emperor Kukulkhan (Tony Steedman).
Kukulkhan is a peaceful ruler who hopes to bring about the return of Quala by means of an arranged marriage between his beautiful 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-Inreader 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
Against this backdrop, Tozo (Richard Willis) a young servant boy, is sent by his master Prince Heumac (Brian Deacon) of the Toltecs, to the court of the mighty Emperor Kukulkhan (Tony Steedman).
