Quoting movie lines effectively in MLA style involves correctly attributing the dialogue to its source, both within your text and in your Works Cited list. Mastering this skill elevates your academic work by demonstrating attention to detail and scholarly integrity.
In-Text Citations: The Art of Attributing Dialogue
The core principle of MLA in-text citation is to provide enough information for your reader to easily find the full source in your Works Cited list. When quoting movie lines, this usually involves the title of the film (often in abbreviated form) and, crucially, a time stamp indicating where the quote appears. This is essential because, unlike written texts, movies don’t have page numbers.
Short Quotations (Four Lines or Fewer)
If your movie quote is relatively short (four typed lines or fewer), you can integrate it directly into your own sentence using quotation marks. Remember to cite the source immediately after the quote.
Example:
As Rick memorably declares in Casablanca, “Here’s looking at you, kid” ( Casablanca, 00:23:15-00:23:18).
Notice how the movie title is italicized, and the time stamp accurately pinpoints the quote’s location. We use a range (00:23:15-00:23:18) because delivery of dialogue isn’t instantaneous. It’s better to be slightly generous than to be too precise and leave the reader struggling to find the exact moment.
Block Quotations (More Than Four Lines)
For longer quotes exceeding four lines, use a block quotation. Indent the entire quote half an inch from the left margin (this is often a full tab in most word processors). Omit quotation marks. Introduce the block quotation with a colon.
Example:
The tension between Deckard and Roy Batty reaches a fever pitch in the final scene of Blade Runner:
Batty recognizes his impending death and reflects on the extraordinary experiences he has accumulated during his short lifespan as a replicant. He attempts to convey the ephemeral nature of life and the inevitability of loss: “I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.” (Blade Runner, 01:52:30-01:53:00)
The citation follows the closing punctuation of the block quote.
Citing the Speaker
If you need to clarify who is speaking, you can incorporate the speaker’s name into your sentence or introduce the quote with an explanatory phrase.
Example:
Ilsa Lund’s plea to Rick echoes throughout Casablanca: “Play it, Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By’” (Casablanca, 00:19:00-00:19:05).
Or, if introducing a longer quote:
As Roy Batty confronts his mortality, he famously laments in Blade Runner:
I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe…(Blade Runner, 01:52:30-01:53:00)
Missing or Unavailable Time Stamps
What if you’re quoting a scene from a movie you watched a long time ago and you can’t remember the exact time stamp? Do your best to find the timestamp. Re-watch the scene on a readily available streaming platform or by searching for the transcript online. If that’s not possible, you can omit the time stamp and rely solely on the title in your in-text citation. While this is less precise, it’s better than providing inaccurate information. Strive for accuracy whenever possible.
Example:
In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy’s iconic line captures the yearning for home (Wizard of Oz).
Works Cited Entry: Detailing the Source
The Works Cited entry provides a complete bibliographic record of the movie. The basic format is as follows:
- Title of the Film. Directed by [Director’s Name], performance by [Lead Actors], Production Company, Year of Release.
Example:
- Casablanca. Directed by Michael Curtiz, performance by Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid, Warner Bros., 1942.
Adding Additional Information
You can add further details to your Works Cited entry if relevant to your argument. For instance, if you’re focusing on the screenplay, you could include the screenwriter’s name. Or, if you accessed the film through a streaming service, you could indicate that in your citation.
Example (Streaming Service):
- Blade Runner. Directed by Ridley Scott, performance by Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, and Sean Young, Warner Bros., 1982. Netflix, www.netflix.com/title/70053167. Accessed 20 Oct. 2023.
Key Elements to Remember
- Italicize the film title.
- Capitalize all principal words in the title.
- List the director’s name as “Directed by [Director’s Name]”.
- Include the most relevant actors (the lead actors are usually sufficient).
- Specify the production company.
- Include the year of release.
- If accessing the film online, provide the platform and URL.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the process of quoting movie lines in MLA style:
FAQ 1: What if the director is unknown?
If the director is unknown, you can omit that element from the Works Cited entry. However, this is rare; typically, this information is readily available online.
FAQ 2: Can I cite a movie review instead of the film itself?
Yes, you can cite a movie review if your argument focuses on the review’s analysis rather than the film’s content directly. In this case, cite the review as you would any other article, including the reviewer’s name, the publication, and the date of publication.
FAQ 3: How do I cite a specific scene if I don’t know the exact time stamp?
Try to estimate the time stamp as accurately as possible. If you cannot determine the exact time, it’s acceptable to provide a broader range or omit the time stamp altogether, relying on the film title for identification.
FAQ 4: Do I need to include all the actors in the Works Cited entry?
No, you only need to include the most relevant actors. Typically, listing the lead actors (usually three to four) is sufficient.
FAQ 5: What if I am analyzing a dubbed version of a film?
If you are analyzing a dubbed version, indicate this information in your Works Cited entry. For example:
- Spirited Away. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, performance by Rumi Hiiragi, Miyu Irino, and Mari Natsuki, Studio Ghibli, 2001. English Dub. Walt Disney Pictures, 2002.
FAQ 6: How do I handle subtitles in my quote?
Transcribe the subtitles exactly as they appear in the film. If there are significant errors in the subtitles, you can acknowledge this in a footnote or in your analysis.
FAQ 7: What if I am quoting from a screenplay instead of the finished film?
Cite the screenplay as you would any other book or document. Include the author (screenwriter), title of the screenplay, publication information, and year.
FAQ 8: Is it necessary to include the country of origin of the film in the Works Cited entry?
No, it is not typically necessary to include the country of origin unless it is directly relevant to your analysis.
FAQ 9: What if the movie has multiple directors?
List all the directors, separated by commas. For example: “Directed by Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski.”
FAQ 10: Can I use abbreviations for common movie titles in my in-text citations?
It’s generally best to avoid abbreviations unless the full title is exceptionally long and the abbreviation is widely recognized. In such cases, provide the full title in the first citation and then use the abbreviation in subsequent citations.
FAQ 11: How do I cite a movie that’s part of a larger series (e.g., a Star Wars film)?
Include the full title of the specific film, not just the series title. For example: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.
FAQ 12: Does the font of the quotation have to match the font of my paper?
Yes, the font of the quotation should match the font of your paper (typically Times New Roman, 12 pt). However, be sure to adhere to whatever style and formatting guidelines are set out by your instructor.
By following these guidelines and understanding the nuances of MLA citation, you can confidently and accurately incorporate movie quotes into your academic writing, demonstrating your scholarly diligence and enhancing the credibility of your work. Remember that precision and consistency are key to effective citation.