This documentary tells the story of the Spanish expeditions in the early sixteenth century that conquests America. British historian and filmmaker Michael Wood picks up the trail of Hernan Cortes, who led 500 conquistadors in the 1519-21 conquest of the Aztec empire. In 1519, Hernan Cortes led a band of adventurers and treasure-seekers into the flourishing Aztec empire. By utilizing resentment of imprisoned tribes, as well as exploiting Aztec legends of the god Quetzalcoatl, the Spaniards managed to penetrate Mexico all the way into the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan and the embattled Aztec emperor Montezuma II. Within a couple of years, the Aztec empire collapsed, and the Spanish would establish the colony of New Spain, with Mexico City built on the ruins of the old Aztec capital. Piecing together the climax to the tale in modern-day Mexico City, Wood offers a vivid portrait of the final battle between the Spanish and Aztec armies. Dewey: 972 FAL.