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Despite its somewhat kinky title, the British Altar Chains is a rather sedate domestic drama. Dawson Milward plays a military captain who runs up a huge debt. Milward is compelled to turn to moneylender Philip Hewland. As "collateral," Milward promises that his ward, Heather Thatcher, will marry Hewland if the debt can't be paid. It can't, and the odious Hewland demands that Milward make good his promise. An officer and a gentleman, Milward cannot go back on his word-but when he discovers that he has only a month to live, he can take drastic measures to ensure Thatcher's happiness.