This is a sacred pyramid in the dead city of Tikal,
300 miles south of Mexico City.
Here, for thousands of years,
the Maya once lived,
a civilised and peaceful people
with a deep-rooted knowledge of mathematics and astronomy.
But one day, in the year 607 AD,
this people emigrated en masse
towards the distant, wild north,
abandoning the sturdy dwellings,
the pyramids and the temples they had built.
None of the Maya came back.
The cities remained deserted
and the jungle slowly swallowed the streets and buildings,
erasing every trace of their civilisation.
The scientific expeditions that tried to shed light on these events
were never able to provide a satisfactory explanation.
Some believed there was an enemy invasion,
but what power at that time could have defeated the Mayan people?
There are no signs of natural disasters,
and what catastrophe could have forced a people to build a new kingdom,
abandoning the lands where they had always lived?
The mystery still remains today
and the nomadic Indians who travel across the region
speak of how their ancestors fled the land to escape the wrath of a terrible goddess,
a bloodthirsty goddess...
Caltiki.
CALTIKI THE IMMORTAL MONSTER
SCREENPLAY BY PHILIP JUST
FROM A POPULAR ANCIENT MEXICAN LEGEND
Look. Señor Nieto.
What's happening?
Nieto!
My God!
And Ulmer, what's happened to him?
Who knows?
What happened? Were they attacked?
Only Nieto can tell us but he's in shock at the moment.
He won't be able to speak for several hours.
It's empty. He fired all his shots.
- Who could have attacked them? - They went to the cave near the volcano.
That area's completely deserted.
What could have happened?
Maybe Nieto hit Ulmer.
That's ridiculous. Ulmer and Nieto are like brothers.
I can already see the headlines.
"Two archaeologists fight a duel in the Tikal caves in Mexico."
Stop it, Bob.
We need to go to the cave. Ulmer could be wounded and waiting for help.
Ulmer... The mummy... The mummy...
Caltiki... Caltiki...
Caltiki! Caltiki!
Caltiki...
Caltiki? Caltiki is a Mayan divinity.
- Let's go, John. - Yes, let's go.
I'll tell Ellen to look after him.
Come on. The lorry will meet us at the cave.
Good bye.
Do you think they'll find him?
I don't know. I fear something horrible's happened.
That's how the Indians feel too. They're terrified.
You know what they say?
We shouldn't have come here and we've provoked evil spirits.
I'm worried they'll end up abandoning us if we don't leave soon.
I'll tell John when he gets back but I know it's pointless.
And Nieto...how is he?
He's still delirious.
He keeps on repeating the same name.
Caltiki.
Yes, Caltiki.
Then he calls out for Ulmer. It's very distressing.
Ulmer...
Can you hear him? It's best if we stay close to him.
Ulmer!
We've already looked everywhere.
Where could he have got to?
Ulmer!
It's an inscription in Mayan characters.
The ground's given way here. There's an opening.
The eruption the other day must have opened it.
Come here.
Look.
There are steps. They must have come this way.
Give me the Geiger counter. They're ruins of ancient buildings.
- Do you think there's radiation? - No, but it's best to be sure.
Come on, hurry up with that contraption.
That's the goddess Caltiki. We're in an underground Mayan temple.
- That's an amazing discovery. - Caltiki?
That's the name Nieto kept saying. They've definitely been here.
Wait a minute.
Look at the dial.
It's showing high radioactivity.
It must be coming from something in the water.
This must be a sacred lake
where priests drowned the victims they sacrificed to the goddess.
If only I had my underwater gear.
Maybe Ulmer fell in there.
This is his camera.
- Show me. - No doubt.
- It's definitely his. - He must have dropped it.
Yes, the lens is cracked.
We need to explore the bottom of the lake.
We must go back to the camp and get our diving gear.
Before you give up on a search you have to try everything.
Let's go.
How's Nieto?
Worse. His temperature's rising. It's very worrying.
We must do everything we can to save him.
Bob's developed the film Ulmer shot. Maybe we can work out what happened.
Yes, maybe. Go and set up the projector.
All right.
- Can we begin? - Yes, of course. Go ahead.
Who filmed them?
The Indian who went with them to the cave entrance.
- Did you question him? - Yes, but he doesn't know anything.
He left them there and came back.
Poor Ulmer. Who knows where he's got to?
Look. The eruption was still going on.
There are the stairs we found this morning.
Ulmer filmed this part.
Look, that's the goddess Caltiki down there.
What's he found?
It looks like a bracelet.
- What's happening? - Who knows?
Something must have hit Ulmer. They're in danger. They've been attacked.
Isn't there any more?
This is all there is.
These people are driving me crazy. I should never have come here.
It was supposed to be a second honeymoon.
How could I have known?
I've been asking you to take me away for a while now.
But work always comes first for you.
I can't stand it any more. I'm going back to Mexico City tomorrow.
Go on. I won't make you stay with me even though you're my wife.
- I'd have hoped you'd understand. - You don't even remember I exist.
I've got responsibilities. Duties.
Not to mention the very important discovery we made today.
An important discovery?
One man's dead and another one's dying.
That's exactly why we've got to carry on. At least they won't have died for nothing.
What the devil are the natives up to this evening?
It's a spell to placate the anger of evil spirits.
A sacred dance? Let's go and see.
I'm not interested.
- No, hold on. - Why? What is it?
A white person can't join in the ritual. It would bring bad luck.
Not to me.
Ellen, I'm very sorry for what you're going through.
What does that mean?
Sorry, but I heard everything John said to you.
I think he's behaving very badly.
- I thought you were John's friend. - Yes, I am.
But I'm fond of you too and I'd like to see you happy.
A woman can't live like this.
You're a very sensitive creature.
You need warmth and affection.
I think you've taken our discussion too seriously.
Maybe.
But I hope one day you'll seek refuge in my arms.
Don't kid yourself, Max. Good night.
You didn't have much success.
Stop spying on me.
Is this how you hope to conquer that little millionairess doll?
Poor Max, you're aiming too high.
So are you.
I haven't managed to get rid of you since I pulled you out of that third-rate joint.
You've no right to treat me like this.
You promised me...
Men promise all sorts of things to someone like you.
And anyway, I'm sure I wasn't the first.
That's true. I've never hidden my past from you.
But you won't get rid of me that easily.
I don't want to lose you, Max.
If you're trying to tell me you're looking for a husband,
take me off the list.
Find yourself a half-breed, someone like you.
John.John?
Yes, darling?
Will you forgive me?
Forgive me.
Both of our nerves are in shreds, unfortunately.
But they say a good argument every now and then is the key to a happy marriage.
I'm sorry, darling, it was all my fault.
I'm moody, it's true, but you knew that before you married me.
And I spend more time on biology than with my wife.
But I'll change, you'll see.
Tomorrow we have to get back to our research.
But I'll make sure you and Linda can go back to Mexico City straightaway.
Do you really want that, John?
Yes, darling, I'd prefer that.
- Pass me the tank. - Have you checked it?
Yes, all ready.
I don't like that lady.
Luckily I've taken precautions.
Be careful.
Up.
There's treasure at the bottom of the lake.
We're rich. We're billionaires.
They're Pre-Columbian-style necklaces.
They'd have adorned the victims offered to the goddess.
Who knows how many people drowned in there, all covered in gold and jewels?
- And Ulmer? - There's no sign of him.
Maybe I should go back down and...
No, I don't want you taking any more risks.
Who cares about risks with all that treasure down there?
Bob's right.
Well, be quick, then. I can't wait to get out of this cave.
OK.
Let's go.
I don't want him to stay too long.
Let's pull him up. Something's happened.
Come on, you pull too. Go on, pull!
Easy. Nice and slow. Come on!
Look. Look, señor. Look.
Quick, up the stairs!
John, we've left the bag with the jewels. Wait for me.
No, Max! You're crazy.
Come on, Max.
We're safe. We made it.
Hey, you. Quick, come over here. Take him away.
Don't touch his arm, it's dangerous.
If you'd been an hour longer we couldn't have done anything for him.
Luckily we managed to radio a plane.
This case is completely unprecedented.
An unknown being has entered the tissues of his arm and absorbed his vital fluids.
Do you think there's still hope of saving Max?
I hope so.
But as a talented biologist
you must help us determine the nature of this monstrous thing.
What you're telling me seems unreal.
But your hypothesis is correct. It's extraordinary.
You take a look, Professor Fielding.
I'm telling you again that this is not a known organism
but a fragment of an animal made up of a single gigantic cell.
Quite so, but do you realise the audacity of your claim?
The discovery of a unicellular being like this
would be a revolution in the field of biology.
But an organism like this would need millennia to develop in this way.
Can we establish its age?
- Yes, of course. Come with me. - Thank you.
This apparatus is the fruit of 20 years of research.
It's an electronic brain
that uses an isotope, carbon-14,
to reveal the age of any body, even a living one.
In a few seconds we'll know which period the fragment comes from.
It's amazing.
You check the results too, please.
Three, six, nine, ten, eleven...
No, it's not possible. We've never had a result like this with a living thing.
14,15...
But... Professor...
15 megavolts. That's incredible.
It can't be a mistake.
This fragment, this being, this cell must be 20 million years old.
PREHISTORIC CREATURES STILL ALIVE
BIOLOGIST'S INCREDIBLE DISCOVERY
PROFESSOR FIELDING HOLDS SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE
Gentlemen, our expedition had one purpose,
to shed light on the reasons, in 607 AD,
for the great migration of the Mayan people.
During our research, and unfortunately following serious incidents,
we discovered the mysterious being the newspapers are talking about
and recovered a fragment of it.
The journalists may have exaggerated in their deductions,
but everything makes us think we have come across a living prehistoric being
from the early geological eras.
And this, gentlemen, is not all.
Even more astonishing is the Mayan inscription we photographed at Tikal.
It says...
"Caltiki is one and immortal.
"When her bridegroom comes from the sky,
"the power of Caltiki will destroy the world."
This description fits with the mysterious being's characteristics.
Caltiki is one and the being is unicellular.
Caltiki is immortal. This being's age is inconceivable to us.
If I could leave scientific rigour aside,
I'd tell you that I brought a piece of Caltiki's body back with me.
Ellen.
- Ellen! - Run to Daddy.
- Daddy! - Welcome back, darling.
My little treasure. Have you been good today?
Yes. Mama gave me a teddy bear.
Really? Aren't you going to show me?
Not now. He's sleeping because he was very tired.
No, don't touch the bag.
- Go to Mama. - Come on, Jenny, it's time for bed.
Bed with your teddy.
- Don't let Jenny go in my study. - Why?
Please, darling, on no account must she go in.
Go with your nanny.
- Bye, Mama. - Bye, darling.
What's that?
It's the piece of the monster that the professor detached from Max's arm.
Why are you keeping it? Isn't it best to destroy it?
I have to keep it under observation.
We've done some tests but we still don't know enough about it.
What's made it live for this incalculable number of years?
And what guides it unerringly towards the organisms it drains of life?
If I can answer these two questions, maybe I can break new ground in biology.
- How is Max now? - Very sick.
His life depends on the results of my work.
It's the only hope of saving him.
And unfortunately it's a slender hope.
Linda, you mustn't be disheartened. You should never give up hope.
He's regained consciousness.
But he's so strange.
Sometimes he screams in pain.
Then he turns, looks at me and laughs.
And his arm. My God, his arm. It's so horrible.
- You need to rest a bit now. - Yes. Thank you.
Come and stay with us until Max is better.
Hello, Max.
You've had a very narrow escape.
How's Nieto?
Oh, he's better. Much better.
He's back on his feet and he'll be at work again in a few days.
You're such a bad liar.
He's dead, isn't he?
Yes.
But you're not going to die, Max.
We're going to cure you.
Have you seen my arm and my face?
How am I supposed to kid myself?
Max, you need to have faith.
- We'll do the impossible, you'll see. - Sure.
Sure, you'll use me as a guinea pig and I'll die like the others.
It was madness to go into that cave.
We'll pay dearly for this, you'll see. All of us.
Calm down and drink this. It'll do you good.
No. I don't want to.
So, Professor, the results of the diagnosis?
We're in unknown territory here, Mr Fielding.
The medical treatments available are clearly insufficient.
It's difficult to make a diagnosis.
Why?
It looks like a third-degree burn but the tissue feels like parchment.
As for the skin, it's as if it's been...
- Mummified. - Yes, that's right. Mummified.
Exactly. And the process has been very quick.
It's an incredible story.
Yes, you're right, Professor.
I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it for myself.
- But there's worse to come. - What?
The poison has definitely entered the bloodstream and unfortunately...
Unfortunately?
Unfortunately we must expect it sooner or later to reach the brain.
Oh, well...
Miss, tell Professor Perez that the operating theatre is free.
If we accept the theory that, millions of years ago,
a primordial cell developed in a different way from all the others...
The amoebas had a similar structure to the being in the cave.
Primitive unicellular beings developed by combining with similar creatures.
But this cell could have got bigger without combining with any others.
What natural biological force could have caused this abnormal development?
Oh, it's you, Ellen.
- John, darling, it's late. - What time is it?
It's almost one. Don't you think you should get some rest?
No, not right now.
I feel I'm on the right track
but I still can't grasp the real substance of this being.
What's worrying you?
I need to keep analysing the material it's made from
and discover why it destroys every organism it comes into contact with.
I'll find a cure for Max's condition.
I can't abandon him.
Today the professor told me that he's in danger of going insane.
I have to find out why.
It would be crazy to give up.
So you intend to work all night?
Yes, darling.
You know how much I love you.
All of this is very important for me.
I need to succeed.
Good luck, darling.
But perhaps...
Why not?
This could be it.
There had been a big eruption
and you know that the whole area is volcanic.
We detected gamma radiation in the caves.
Maybe that's the source of that being's energy.
Radioactivity.
But we can't be sure unless we subject it to electron bombardment.
Can you get hold of the betatron for me?
I'll sort it out. You'll have it this evening.
Thank you. I'm counting on you, Professor. It's very urgent.
Ready?
If the conclusions I've drawn are correct,
under the influence of radioactivity
that little fragment should definitely show signs of life.
Start it up.
The generators started, Professor.
Radioactivity zero six rad.
Zero seven rad.
Zero eight rad.
Stop. Quickly.
Generator back to zero, Professor.
Once the radioactivity stops, it will appear to be hibernating.
But with a more intense charge
I believe that it could not only develop more, but even reproduce.
Linda?
Yes, darling?
You're very caring.
Everybody's so kind to me.
They're trying to help you.
I'm sure.
They're afraid now.
They've realised what I'm worth and they've also realised that they've...
They've stopped exploiting me and making money from my work.
Because it's different now.
Now they need to deal with me.
Even that woman.
That woman who dared to scorn me.
Don't think about her. I'm here with you.
She'll be sorry she treated me like that.
They'll all pay for this, you'll see.
I've been ill, I've suffered, but now I'm strong.
I'm stronger than all of you.
You'll be better off on my side.
Remember that.
Linda, how are you?
My God, you're exhausted. Would you like a coffee?
No, thank you. Don't worry about me, it's not worth it.
You shouldn't torment yourself like this or you'll end up being ill too.
Today Max said some very strange things to me. He frightened me.
It's only natural in his condition.
It's up to you to cheer him up.
There's no point. He won't listen to me any more. He hates me.
He's ashamed of me because I'm... a half-breed.
- And he's in love with you. - That's ridiculous.
I heard him that evening at the camp. He was trying to woo you.
I'm not surprised. You've got everything I don't have.
You're a lady, you're rich. And you're beautiful too.
With me Max behaved the way he behaves with all women.
Sorry to be blunt, but he's not the man for you.
He doesn't deserve you. You should leave him.
Leave him? How can I leave him when he's in that state?
One day he'll be well and you'll be free. Free and happy.
Happy? My happiness is with him.
I know very well what he's worth, but I love him.
I'd do anything for him.
Anything so I don't lose him.
Yes? That's me. No, my husband isn't here.
Then you come, madam. Come to the hospital now.
It's about Max Gunther.
What's happened? Has there been an accident?
Ellen, what is it? Is it Max? Has something happened?
Don't worry, we'll come right away.
Was that the hospital?
Yes, they want us there now but they didn't explain why.
- Please stay calm, madam. - What's happened, Doctor? Where's Max?
Max... Where is he? Where's Max?
I don't know. We've searched everywhere.
Come on, Linda.
- Who's that woman? - Gunther's wife, I think.
Put all the street patrols on alert.
We're looking for a 33-year-old man,
medium height, blond hair, blue eyes,
wounded...
- In the right arm. - In the right arm. Dangerous.
Dolores, come indoors and help me.
What are you thinking?
The inscription said, "Caltiki is one and immortal."
And these words contain a scientific truth.
But who will her bridegroom from the sky be?
The one who, according to the inscription, will give Caltiki infinite power
to destroy the world.
Aren't you putting too much faith in the scientific minds of the Maya?
Well, who knows?
Maybe they knew more about this than we do.
- Are you still immersed in your research? - Hello, darling.
We've abandoned that now. We're reduced to solving puzzles.
We're looking for a bridegroom.
Is he that hard to find?
It seems he comes from the sky.
Whatever you're looking for, I hope you find it soon.
You've kidnapped my husband for a week now.
I'm truly mortified but I can't do without his help.
- Good night. - Good night.
Good night.
- I'll see you tomorrow, then. - See you tomorrow.
Sorry, darling.
Hello? Yes, it's me, Fielding.
Who is it, John?
What? Are you sure?
It filled the whole room and destroyed the betatron.
It's still growing. We don't know how to stop it.
Come right away.
Set fire to it.
Set fire to the whole laboratory. There's no time to lose.
I'm on my way.
- I have to go. - But, John...
The bridegroom from the sky.
What does that mean, Professor?
I don't know.
But I want to try something else.
You want to know if there was a celestial phenomenon in the year 607 AD?
- Yes. - Strange you should ask.
It's interesting because it was the year of the Mayan migration.
The passage of a comet was recorded.
It was seen in Byzantium by the Emperor Justinian's astronomers.
The ancients called it Arsinoe.
They classified it as a malign star
because it brought severe disruption and was covered by a radioactive cloud.
So this caused an increase in atmospheric radioactivity?
We don't have accurate data about it, but I'll be able to give you that tomorrow.
Why tomorrow?
Because tonight Earth is in the same conditions as it was in the year 607.
In a few hours that comet will pass very close to us.
The same comet? Tonight?
Yes. That's why I found your request so strange.
Arsinoe comes near to us in its cycle every 1,352 years.
We're observing it right now.
Arsinoe... the bridegroom from the sky.
That's the cause of the Mayan migration.
Radioactivity increased and activated the monster's power.
The area around the cavern was filled with terrifying bloodthirsty beings.
The same danger is threatening us now.
The radioactivity will make the fragments of the monster grow.
Operator?
Professor Fielding's line. 3679.
- He's not answering. - Try again.
I need to speak to him urgently.
3679 is disconnected.
We must hurry. I'm going to Fielding's house.
Go to the betatron. We need to destroy the fragments of the monster.
When we arrived the betatron was in pieces and the watchman was dead.
A new victim, like Bob and the others.
Maybe he inadvertently started up the generator, making the monster grow.
But we'll never know.
Nobody must touch him, for any reason. It could be dangerous.
It's astonishing how quickly the fragment developed.
Another few minutes and I don't know what would have happened.
Inform his family.
When her bridegroom comes from the sky,
the power of Caltiki will destroy the world.
Mama! Mama!
Mama.
What is it, sweetheart? Why aren't you asleep?
I saw a man. A bad man.
Jenny, there's no bad man here. You mustn't be afraid.
But I saw him.
You were dreaming, my love. Now lie down and close your little eyes.
Mama will stay with you until you fall asleep.
All right? Sleep now, sweetheart.
Have a lovely sleep.
Linda!
Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you, Ellen.
I couldn't sleep and I was hungry.
We're all on edge.
The little one woke up too. She was crying and said she'd seen a man.
It must have been a nightmare.
- Yes, no doubt. Good night. - Good night.
Max?
Max, I've brought you something to eat.
Did they see you?
No, don't worry. Nobody knows that you're here.
- Max, you need to listen to me. - Start again.
I love you and you know that. But you can't stay here.
Are you going to turn me in?
No, Max, I'll never betray you. And John is your friend too.
John". He'd be the first to report me.
You're wrong. You don't know how much he's done for you.
Maybe you don't realise now,
but when you're back to normal...
So I'm not normal now? Do you think I'm mad too?
Remember, if you say one word, I'll kill you.
You're here. Professor Rodriguez has gone to your house.
How come?
He tried to call but your phone's cut off.
- The observatory gave us disturbing news. - What about?
Right now a comet's passing very close to Earth.
It causes an increase in atmospheric radioactivity.
It's already reached zero eight rad.
My God...
That fragment at my house...
Call the police and the army. We need flamethrowers.
That monster can only be destroyed with fire.
John?
Max...
Don't run away, it's pointless.
No, Max. Don't do this. I thought you were my friend.
You're so beautiful.
Don't be a fool.
You were wrong to leave the hospital before you were better.
After all the trouble we've gone to for you.
Why are you trying to run away from me, Ellen? Do I disgust you?
No. Calm down.
I'll call Linda. She'll be happy to see you again, you'll see.
She's already seen me. She's the one who helped me and hid me.
But I don't need her any more now.
What do I care about her?
You're the only woman I want, Ellen.
And you'll be mine.
You'll come away with me now.
The telephone's disconnected. I cut off the electricity.
Nobody can come to your aid.
- You're in my power. - No! Let me go!
- Help! Linda! Linda! - Ellen...
Max, you promised me you wouldn't come here.
Get out of my way.
Give me that pistol right now. I won't let you hurt her.
Stay where you are!
No, Max! No!
Linda...
Murderer!
Now you'll do what I want.
Obey me or I'll kill your little girl too.
John Fielding!
I heard you.
Come out!
Help!
John!John!
Mama.
- Mama, what is it? - Nothing.
Come on. Come on.
Stop! Stop!
That's it. Good girl.
Running a roadblock, resisting public order...
If you're lucky you'll get three months, sefion
Listen to me, Inspector. I'm Professor John Fielding, British citizen.
Please let me go immediately. My wife and daughter are in danger.
I don't doubt that with a husband like you.
Inspector, there are monstrous beings in the house that nobody's seen before now.
I can't explain right now but they're dangerous,
not only for my family but for the entire city.
- Get this madman out of my sight. - Inspector, listen to me.
Take him away. If he kicks up a fuss, put him in a cell.
Let me go! Call the British Embassy. Do something or you'll regret it.
For the love of God, open up!
Follow him!
Stop! Stop!
There! Over there!
Get him!
Get in the Jeep!
- Where are you taking me, Mama? - Quiet now, Jenny. Quiet now.
- Mama, where's Daddy? - He's coming now.
Attention. Attention. This is a message from the armed forces command.
The city is in a state of alert.
No-one is to enter the southern district.
Army tank divisions and flamethrower squads
will be approaching Professor Fielding's house.
Clear the roads so that military vehicles can pass.
No-one is to leave their home until further orders.
People are asked to keep calm
and all measures have been taken
to confront the danger threatening the city.
John...
Ellen! Ellen!
Help, John. We're here.
I'm coming.
John!
John, help us!
Oh, God.
Everybody, go!
Stop shooting, it's pointless. We need flamethrowers.
What is it?
Inspector, that Englishman was right. The garden's full of monsters.
I know. The alarm's been raised.
The army will be here in a few minutes. Recall all our men.
Tell them to keep out of the garden. We need to wait for the flamethrowers. Go!
Let's go.
Everybody out!
Surround the house.
Get back, men. Make room for the flamethrowers.
Quick!
Go!
- Look. There's a way through. - Where are you going?
John!
Let me go!
- He's crazy. - He'll be burned alive.
Stop firing!
- John! - I'm here, Ellen.
Be quick.
It's breaking through the door!
Quick!
Give me the little one.
- Daddy! - I've got you.
Come on, quick. Quick.
No...
Hold on tight.
- They're safe. - Quick, this way.
Start firing again.
Look, it's enormous!
Get back! Everybody, get back!
The city's in danger. Send the tanks in and destroy everything.
Advance from the north. Break down the perimeter wall.
Group two, advance across the garden.
Groups three and four, ready for action.
Group five, don't shoot. Use your flamethrowers.
Order the tanks to use flamethrowers.
All tanks, open fire!
Message from the operation command. The danger is over.
We're clearing the area.
You can suspend the state of emergency.
The companies are returning to base.
Jenny's gone to sleep.
Please take us away from here.
Yes, we can go now.
You've nothing to be afraid of now, darling.
Caltiki is destroyed forever.
THE END