Hashire Melos (1981)

Melos arrives in Syracuse and is horrified by the paranoia of King Dionysius, who executes anyone he suspects of betrayal. After denouncing the tyrant, Melos is arrested and condemned to death, but he begs for three days to return home and attend his younger sister's wedding.

The king agrees only if Melos's friend Selinuntius remains behind as a hostage to die in his place should Melos fail to return. Melos sets out with absolute faith in friendship, but storms, exhaustion, and human treachery turn the journey back into a desperate race against the executioner's deadline.