Shackles of Truth (1917): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1917, Shackles of Truth is a drama film directed by Edward Sloman, running about 50 minutes.

What it’s about. Law partners, Gerard Hale and Luther Snaith, vie for a vacant Senate seat as well as the governor's daughter Marion. When Tom Shores and his sister Mary appear at the firm with the news that her two-year-old is the illegitimate child of Gerard's late father, Gerard Hale, Sr., Snaith sees the opportunity to win both the Senate seat and Marion. Gerard, feeling an obligation, gives Mary a check for $50,000. Luther has Mary and Tom seized by detectives to force an open admission from Gerard of culpability. Meanwhile, Mrs. Hale and Marion have stopped in to visit and Gerard, fearing the truth will prove fatal to his mother's ailing heart, claims that the baby is his. Mrs. Hale is confined to bed and Snaith blackmails Gerard to withdraw from the race. Mrs. Hale asks Gerard to do his duty and wed Mary. Mary wants to be truthful, but Gerard fears that may prove fatal to his mother. However, when Mrs. Hale dies, Gerard is freed from the shackles of truth.

Who’s in it. Shackles of Truth stars William Russell as Gerard Hale, Francelia Billington as Marion, Gayne Whitman as Luther Snaith and Adda Gleason as Mary Shores, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 10.0/10, Shackles of Truth sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Shackles of Truth page.

If you liked it. Fans of Shackles of Truth tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.