The documentary Making Marie Antoinette
provides a rare, intimate look at the 2006 costume drama through the lens of Eleanor Coppola, who spent the production capturing nearly 100 hours of behind-the-scenes footage. Long before her death in 2024 at age 87, Eleanor had envisioned a project documenting the artistry of the film, from the intricate food spreads to the elaborate floral arrangements and period-accurate costumes. While some of this material appeared in DVD bonus features, the full-length film remained unrefined until the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Retrospective Documentary Making Marie Antoinette
Sheltering in place in Napa, Sofia Coppola and her mother revisited the archives. At the end of her life, she really wanted it to be finished, so I felt it was my mission to complete it,
Sofia Coppola told USA Today. Assisted by editor Aaron Matthews and narrated by actress Diane Lane—who reads selections from Eleanor’s personal journals—the film serves as a tribute to their relationship. It captures the director at a formative stage of her career, balancing the massive scale of the Palace of Versailles production with her directorial style.
Male Reviewers Critique the Film's Femininity
For Coppola, the criticism felt deeply personal, particularly as it focused on the film’s embrace of girliness. That was equated with not being serious, and I felt really connected to that girliness and femininity,
she told Vogue. There’s value in that.
She noted that much of the negative critique originated from male reviewers who struggled to identify with the film’s specific feminine point of view. Despite the $40 million drama becoming a box-office disappointment, it slowly found a dedicated fanbase through repertory screenings and home media.
Modern Period Dramas Follow Coppola's Blueprint
Twenty years later, the film is widely recognized as one of the most significant works of the 21st century. Its influence is evident in current period dramas, which increasingly prioritize subjective interiority over rigid historical accuracy. Features like Bridgerton
and The Favourite
follow the blueprint Coppola established by using historical settings as a backdrop for psychological exploration.
The film’s resurgence is also tied to generational shifts. Younger audiences, particularly Gen Z, have reclaimed the movie’s aesthetic, sharing edits on TikTok and celebrating the queen as a fashion icon. It means so much to me—and Kirsten, too, because she felt bad,
Coppola said of lead actress Kirsten Dunst, who faced harsh judgment during the film’s initial release. So it’s been gratifying to know there is a generation that connects to it.
The State of Female-Led Filmmaking
Making Marie Antoinette
is scheduled for release in the UK and US on October 23, with a streaming debut on Mubi set for November 6.
More on Making Marie Antoinette
The new posters for 'Making Marie Antoinette' and the 4K restoration of 'Marie Antoinette.'Read our Critic's Pick review of Eleanor Coppola's documentary from @TheNYFF: https://t.co/ZT8mOM6a1Q pic.twitter.com/VuxKXPloea
— https://x.com/TheFilmStage/status/2106028632254841026
Eleanor Coppola's MAKING MARIE ANTOINETTE opens in theaters this Friday, along with a 4K restoration of the original Sofia Coppola MARIE ANTOINETTE. Get an exclusive look, and reserve your seats today. https://t.co/UbXpws9SqF pic.twitter.com/CC9XoM7ULK
— https://x.com/Fandango/status/2112272768200761477