The Four Just Men (1939 film)

The Four Just Men is a 1939 British thriller film directed by Walter Forde. It is based on the 1905 novel of the same name by Edgar Wallace. The film stars Hugh Sinclair, Griffith Jones, and Frank Lawton as members of a vigilante organization dedicated to enacting justice when they believe the law fails.

The plot revolves around the Four Just Men's attempt to prevent a controversial bill, the Aliens Extradition Bill, from being passed in the British Parliament. They issue a warning: if the bill becomes law, they will kill prominent figures to demonstrate their resolve. The film follows the investigations of the police and the efforts of the Four Just Men to carry out their threat, leading to suspenseful sequences and a cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement and the vigilantes.

The film is notable for its pre-World War II setting and the moral questions it raises regarding justice, law, and the role of vigilante groups. It depicts a society concerned with political extremism and the potential erosion of civil liberties.

The film's ending differs significantly from the novel, with the leader of the Four Just Men ultimately surrendering himself to the authorities.

Other adaptations of Edgar Wallace's novel have been made, including a 1921 silent film, a 1959 television series titled The Four Just Men, and the 1939 film's own remake, The Secret Four (1939), released shortly after the original due to rights issues. The 1939 film remains a popular example of British crime cinema from the era.