At the peak of the Mayan civilization, a tribal chief named Balam (George Chakiris), wants to escape the political troubles and wars of the people in his region by fleeing to a new land. Among his group are Ixchel (Shirley Anne Field) and his advisor Ah Min (Richard Basehart). Balam’s tribe finds itself, however, in the middle of a Native American territory, led by Chief Black Eagle (Yul Brynner) who does not take kindly to the intrusions. To make matters worse, Black Eagle has designs on Princess Ixchel, becoming a rival to King Balam. Though the different tribes attempt to just get along, Hunac Ceel (Leo Gordon) is aching for a fight to take over both groups.