Based on the story of Oscar Wilde, the story shows a luxurious presentation of Salome dancing the famous dance of the seven veils for Herod in exchange for John the Baptist's head. It was produced by the prestigious production company Le Film d’Art's Italian subsidiary(Film d’Arte Italiana), invested in by Pathé. The role of the young slave put to death was the actress Francesca Bertini's debut before she later became famous.

John the Baptist, while praying, is captured and taken to Herod's palace, where he is locked up in a dark underground prison. Shortly thereafter, Herod meets Salome, whom she really likes. However, the woman is infatuated with John the Baptist and persuades the guards to let the prisoner out of her prison: John rejects her and Salomé meditates revenge. When, at a feast given by Herod, the king undertakes to give Salomé whatever he asks, she demands the head of the Baptist, which is immediately brought to her; then Herod orders the soldiers to kill Salome too.