The Royal Hunt of the Sun is a 1969 British-American epic historical drama film based on the play of the same name by Peter Shaffer. It stars Robert Shaw as Francisco Pizarro and Christopher Plummer as the Inca leader Atahualpa. Plummer appeared in stage versions of the play before appearing in the film, which was shot in South America and Spain. The film and play are based on the Spanish conquest of Peru by Pizarro in 1530. Plot With a small rag-tag band of soldiers, Francisco Pizarro enters the Inca Empire and captures its leader, Atahualpa. Pizarro promises to free him in return for a golden ransom, but later finds himself conflicted between his desire to conquer and his friendship for his captive. Cast Robert Shaw as Francisco Pizarro Christopher Plummer as Atahualpa Nigel Davenport as Hernando de Soto Leonard Whiting as Young Martin Michael Craig as Estete Andrew Keir as Valverde William Marlowe as Candia James Donald as King Carlos Alexander Davion as De Nizza Shmulik Kraus as Felipillo Percy Herbert as Diego David Bauer as Villac Umu Robert Rietti as Atahualpa (voice) Reception The film has a rating of 56% on Rotten Tomatoes. Home media The Royal Hunt of the Sun was released to DVD by CBS Home Entertainment on November 25, 2014 via its CBS MOD DVD-on-demand service. See also List of American films of 1969 References External links 1969 films American historical drama films British historical drama films Cinema Center Films films Films about conquistadors Cultural depictions of Francisco Pizarro Films based on plays by Peter Shaffer Films set in the 1530s Films set in Spain Films set in Peru Films set in the Inca Empire Indigenous cinema in Latin America 1960s historical drama films Age of Discovery films Films shot in Almería Films scored by Marc Wilkinson 1969 drama films 1960s English-language films 1960s American films 1960s British films American epic films British epic films