Three versions of the film were made so they could be screened throughout Europe and the colonial world, such as in Mozambique, Australia and South Africa.

A German-language version (Hai-Tang: Der Weg zur Schande) and a French-language version (Le Chemin du déshonneur, sometimes referred to as L’Amour, maître des choses in French film magazines)[6] of the film were made with different casts[Note 2] except for Wong, who spoke her part in three different languages.

[2] Hai-Tang, star of the Chinese Troupe, and Lieutenant Boris Borissoff, adjutant to the Grand Duke, are in love.

Boris is visited by Yvette, the Colonel's mistress and the main attraction at the Orpheum club, who has her eyes on the lieutenant.

She reminds him that it was she who persuaded the Colonel to appoint Boris to his position, and warns him off "this Chinese girl" who could damage his career.

Boris intercedes and begs for mercy, but the Grand Duke signs the death warrant for Wang-Hu's execution at dawn.

The French film magazine Cinémonde described "another amazing performance from this beautiful and voluptuous woman, this strangely sincere and fascinating interpreter."

[7] The New York Times observed that "As a silent film with musical effects, 'The Flame of Love' might well have been the colorful tragedy that the producers tried to create, but the stilted dialogue of this version makes the entire production seem unreal and obscures the haunting Oriental beauty of the star, Anna May Wong.