Asta Nielsen, a Danish silent film star, established her own production company to create this movie that blends new elements with Shakespeare's legendary story. The most significant deviation is the gender-switch of the lead character, transforming Hamlet into a princess who is compelled to disguise herself as a man by her conniving mother. As a result, Hamlet's secret love for Horatio and her competition with Ophelia for his affection are introduced. The film depicts Queen Gertrude as a co-conspirator in her first husband's murder, and omits the ghost of the old king - instead, Hamlet hears a voice from the grave and dreams of him. Furthermore, upon returning from Norway with an army led by her old friend Fortinbras, Hamlet immediately kills Claudius (in a fire), with Gertrude engineering both Hamlet's death in the fencing match and her own demise by inadvertently drinking the poisoned wine.