The Wild Wild West (1965–1969): Season 1, Episode 14 - The Night of the Howling Light - full transcript

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.