In 1532, Francisco de Pizarro led fewer than two hundred men into the heart of the Inca Empire and brought a civilization of millions to its knees. What drove this man—from humble beginnings in Spain—to defy impossible odds and confront Atahualpa’s army of 30,000 warriors? Through striking reenactments and expert insight, the film explores how faith, greed, and unyielding ambition collided in one of history’s most shocking encounters, forever changing the fate of two worlds. Beyond the conquest, it delves into the man himself—visionary and tyrant, believer and betrayer—revealing how his thirst for glory became a symbol of both human courage and moral ruin. Set against the breathtaking landscapes of the Andes, this journey exposes the hidden cost of empire: the blood spilled, the cultures erased, and the myths that still echo through the ruins of Cuzco.
Eugene Levy, a celebrated actor and self-confessed travel skeptic forces himself into the discomfort of jetting across the globe, visiting dazzling destinations he would normally avoid. With his trademark wit and unease, he peels back the gloss of travel, dipping toes into local customs, natural wonders, and cultural rituals, transforming each journey into a quietly emotional reckoning with what it means to explore, to connect, and to grow. In episodes 1 through 4, the adventure starts in the Arctic north of Finland, where he tries ice fishing, feeds reindeer, rides in a husky sled and chases the aurora borealis. Then he plunges into the Costa Rican jungle, sleeping high among trees and confronting wild creatures. In Venice he lounges at a historic palazzo, bonds with a gondolier and reflects on his life and family. Finally, a helicopter drops him into the stark desert at Amangiri in Utah, where he absorbs breathtaking landscapes and engages with the Navajo Nation while battling his own nerves.
Beyond the conquest, it delves into the man himself—visionary and tyrant, believer and betrayer—revealing how his thirst for glory became a symbol of both human courage and moral ruin. Set against the breathtaking landscapes of the Andes, this journey exposes the hidden cost of empire: the blood spilled, the cultures erased, and the myths that still echo through the ruins of Cuzco.