Maria Falconetti

French actress

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July 21, 2026

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Maria Falconetti (born 1892) was a French actress, best known for her iconic portrayal of Saint Joan of Arc in the 1928 silent film La Passion de Jeanne d’Arc . Directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer, the film is celebrated for its historical accuracy and innovative use of close-ups. Falconetti's performance as Joan, detailing her trial and execution for heresy, is widely considered one of the greatest in screen history. Despite this acclaim, she did not act on screen again. Falconetti passed away in 1946.12

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Carl Theodor Dreyer
Filmed in France, it starred Maria Falconetti as the mystically inspired heroine. Dreyer created a new kind of historical drama by using sustained close-ups to establish an intimate relationship between the audience and the characters.
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Filmed in France, it starred Maria Falconetti as the mystically inspired heroine. Dreyer created a new kind of historical drama by using sustained close-ups to establish an intimate relationship between the audience and the characters.
Read More