Citing a movie correctly in an MLA bibliography ensures academic integrity and provides proper credit to the creators of the cinematic work. The fundamental principle involves listing the movie by its title, followed by the director’s name, distributor, and year of release; variations exist depending on the focus of your citation and the available information.
The Core Elements of an MLA Movie Citation
Crafting an accurate MLA citation for a movie requires attention to detail and a firm grasp of the essential components. The basic format generally follows this structure:
Title of the Movie. Directed by [Director’s Name], Distributor, Year of Release.
Let’s break down each element:
- Title: The full and complete title of the movie, italicized.
- Directed by: This indicates the director of the movie, essential for identifying creative control.
- Director’s Name: Listed as “Directed by First Name Last Name”.
- Distributor: The company responsible for distributing the movie (e.g., Warner Bros., Universal Pictures).
- Year of Release: The year the movie was initially released to the public.
Example: The Dark Knight. Directed by Christopher Nolan, Warner Bros., 2008.
However, the complexities of film analysis often necessitate more specific and nuanced citations. For instance, if you are focusing on a particular performance, you would emphasize the actor’s role. If you are referencing a specific edition (like a Director’s Cut), that information needs inclusion. The following sections will explore these variations and provide clarity on how to handle them effectively.
Variations on the Basic Citation Format
While the basic format provides a solid foundation, academic writing frequently requires more tailored citations to accurately reflect the source material and the focus of your argument.
Citing a Specific Performer
When your analysis centers on the performance of a specific actor or actress, the citation format shifts to highlight their contribution.
Actor’s Last Name, First Name, performance. Title of the Movie. Directed by [Director’s Name], Distributor, Year of Release.
Example: Ledger, Heath, performance. The Dark Knight. Directed by Christopher Nolan, Warner Bros., 2008.
Citing a Specific Part of the Film (Scene, Quote)
If you are referencing a specific scene, quote, or other discrete element within the film, including a timestamp is helpful, especially for online streaming versions.
Title of the Movie. Directed by [Director’s Name], Distributor, Year of Release. Timestamp (if applicable).
Example: Citizen Kane. Directed by Orson Welles, RKO Pictures, 1941.
Citing Online Streaming Services
With the proliferation of streaming services, citing films accessed online requires additional information to ensure proper attribution. Include the name of the streaming service and the date you accessed the film.
Title of the Movie. Directed by [Director’s Name], Distributor, Year of Release. Name of Streaming Service, Date Accessed.
Example: Parasite. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, Neon, 2019. Hulu, 15 Mar. 2023.
Navigating Common Citation Challenges
Even with a clear understanding of the basic rules, several challenges can arise when citing movies in MLA format. These challenges often involve incomplete information, obscure distributors, or the need to cite multiple contributors.
Handling Unknown Information
Sometimes, you may not have all the information required for a complete citation. In such cases, use abbreviations or placeholders to indicate the missing information.
- Director Unknown: Use “Directed by n.d.” (no director).
- Distributor Unknown: Use “Distributor n.p.” (no publisher).
- Year Unknown: Use “Year n.d.” (no date).
Citing Multiple Contributors
If your analysis focuses on the collaborative effort of multiple contributors (e.g., multiple directors, writers, or producers), list them in the order they appear in the film’s credits. Use “and” to connect the names.
Example: The Matrix. Directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski, Warner Bros., 1999.
Citing Foreign Films
When citing foreign films, include the original title followed by the English translation in brackets.
Original Title [English Translation]. Directed by [Director’s Name], Distributor, Year of Release.
Example: Amélie [Amélie]. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Miramax Films, 2001.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about MLA Movie Citations
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the nuances of citing movies in MLA format:
1. What if a movie has multiple directors?
List all the directors in the order they appear in the credits, separated by “and.” Example: “Directed by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen.”
2. How do I cite a movie I watched on DVD?
The citation remains largely the same as the basic format: Title of the Movie. Directed by [Director’s Name], Distributor, Year of Release. If there are special features relevant to your work, you can mention them briefly after the year of release.
3. What is the proper way to abbreviate “directed by”?
While “Directed by” is preferred for clarity, you can use “dir.” as an abbreviation in some cases, particularly in shorter entries. Consistency is key within your document.
4. How do I cite a movie review?
Cite the review like any other article, including the reviewer’s name, the title of the review, the publication or website, and the date of publication. Then, mention the movie being reviewed in the title. Example: Ebert, Roger. “Citizen Kane (1941) Review.” RogerEbert.com, 1 Jan. 1941.
5. What if the distributor is also the production company?
If the distributor and production company are the same, you can list that company as the distributor.
6. How do I cite a short film?
The citation format is the same as for a feature-length film: Title of the Short Film. Directed by [Director’s Name], Distributor, Year of Release.
7. Do I need to include the country of origin in the citation?
Generally, the country of origin is not required unless it’s crucial for understanding the film’s context or significance. You might include it parenthetically after the title if necessary.
8. How do I cite a movie soundtrack?
Citing a movie soundtrack depends on what you are citing. If you’re citing the entire soundtrack, use the format for an album. If you are citing a specific song, cite the song title, then the album, then the movie.
9. What if I’m citing a film script?
Cite the script like a book, including the author (screenwriter), title, publisher, and year of publication.
10. How should I format the “Date Accessed” for streaming services?
Use the day-month-year format, abbreviated month. Example: 15 Mar. 2023.
11. What if the title of the movie starts with “A,” “An,” or “The”?
Ignore these articles when alphabetizing your Works Cited list. List the movie under the first significant word of the title.
12. What if I’m using a citation generator?
While citation generators can be helpful, always double-check the generated citation against the MLA handbook to ensure accuracy. Citation generators are prone to errors and omissions.
By understanding these core principles and addressing common citation challenges, you can confidently and accurately cite movies in your MLA bibliography, ensuring academic integrity and giving proper credit to the creators of cinematic works.