Hearts in Bondage
“Inspired romance - Bright gallantry - High courage - Against the blood-stained background of a war-torn nation!”
Synopsis
Best friends Kenneth Reynolds and Raymond Jordan are U.S. Navy officers, and Kenneth is engaged to Raymond's sister. But the eruption of the Civil War divides them, as Raymond stands by his native Virginia while Kenneth remains on duty as a Northern officer. Kenneth's uncle, John Ericsson, designs a new kind of ship, an ironclad he calls the Monitor. Eventually the war pits Kenneth, on board the Monitor, against his friend Raymond, serving aboard the South's own ironclad, the Merrimac (as it is called here). A naval battle ensues, one that will go down in history.
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
May 26, 1936
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Lew Ayres
- Screenplay & Story
- Olive Cooper, Bernard Schubert
- Original Title
- Hearts in Bondage
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 12m
- Production Studios
- Republic Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Lew Ayres
Olive Cooper, Bernard Schubert
Department Leadership Roster
Olive Cooper
Screenplay
Lew Ayres
Director
Bernard Schubert
Screenplay
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance Suggested.
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Hearts in Bondage.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Hearts in Bondage.
War: American Civil War
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MGM+ US - History Movies
Curated list of Most Popular on MGM+ (US). Updated frequently. Last updated August 28, 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hearts in Bondage
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Hearts in Bondage about?
Best friends Kenneth Reynolds and Raymond Jordan are U.S. Navy officers, and Kenneth is engaged to Raymond's sister. But the eruption of the Civil War divides them, as Raymond stands by his native Virginia while Kenneth remains on duty as a Northern officer. Kenneth's uncle, John Ericsson, designs a new kind of ship, an ironclad he calls the Monitor. Eventually the war pits Kenneth, on board the Monitor, against his friend Raymond, serving aboard the South's own ironclad, the Merrimac (as it is called here). A naval battle ensues, one that will go down in history.
Who directed Hearts in Bondage?
Hearts in Bondage was directed by Lew Ayres.
Who stars in Hearts in Bondage?
The principal cast of Hearts in Bondage includes James Dunn, Mae Clarke, David Manners, Charlotte Henry, Henry B. Walthall.
When was Hearts in Bondage released and how long is it?
Hearts in Bondage was released in 1936 with a total runtime of 1h 12m.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Hearts in Bondage?
Hearts in Bondage holds official age classifications: CA: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested.); US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).