BBC 1975. Jack Point and his sweetheart Elsie come to the Tower to earn money with which to buy medicine for her sick mother. Elsie is persuaded to become the secret bride of Fairfax 'to be beheaded in an hour,' but then he escapes.

In a small Japanese town, Ko-Ko is appointed to the unenviable position of executioner. Knowing he must successfully perform before the appearance of the Mikado in a month's time, Ko-Ko finds a suitable victim in Nanki-Poo, who is distraught over his unrequited love for the maiden Yum-Yum. Nanki-Poo agrees to sacrifice his life if he is allowed to spend his remaining days with Yum-Yum, who is betrothed to Ko-Ko.