Citing a movie in MLA format requires careful attention to detail, ensuring you accurately credit the creative work and guide your readers to the source. The core principle is to provide enough information for readers to locate the film, typically starting with the title and ending with relevant publication details like distribution company and year of release. This article provides a comprehensive guide to constructing accurate MLA movie citations, complete with examples and answers to frequently asked questions.
Building Blocks of an MLA Movie Citation
The foundation of any MLA citation lies in its core elements. When citing a movie, you’ll need to gather specific pieces of information to build a complete and accurate entry for your Works Cited list. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:
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Title of the Movie: This is the first element and should be italicized. Use the title as it appears on the film itself, including any subtitles.
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Director: List the director followed by “dir.” This acknowledges the individual responsible for the film’s overall vision.
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Main Performers (Optional): You can include key actors, preceded by the word “performance” or “performances.” However, this is typically only done when their performance is the focus of your analysis.
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Production Company: Include the name of the production company that distributed the film.
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Year of Release: Provide the year the movie was originally released in theaters or its initial distribution.
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Medium: Specify that the source is a “Film” or “Movie”.
Here’s a basic template to follow:
Title of the Movie. Directed by Director’s Name, Production Company, Year of Release. Medium.
Example:
Parasite. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, Neon, 2019. Film.
Advanced Citation Scenarios
While the basic template works for most movies, certain situations require modifications. Streaming services, DVD releases, and online versions introduce nuances that necessitate adjustments to the standard format.
Citing Movies from Streaming Services
When accessing a movie through a streaming service, include the service name and the URL.
Title of the Movie. Directed by Director’s Name, Production Company, Year of Release. Streaming Service, URL.
Example:
The Grand Budapest Hotel. Directed by Wes Anderson, American Empirical Pictures, 2014. Hulu, www.hulu.com/watch/12345678.
Citing Movies on DVD or Blu-Ray
For movies viewed on DVD or Blu-ray, include the medium (DVD or Blu-ray) in place of “Film” or “Movie.” If the edition includes significant bonus content that is relevant to your citation, you can mention the name of the edition.
Title of the Movie. Directed by Director’s Name, Production Company, Year of Release. DVD.
Example:
Citizen Kane. Directed by Orson Welles, RKO Radio Pictures, 1941. Blu-ray.
Citing Specific Segments or Scenes
If you are referencing a specific scene or segment within a movie, you can include a brief description of the segment after the title, separated by a comma. You may also provide timestamps.
Title of the Movie, Segment Description. Directed by Director’s Name, Production Company, Year of Release. Film.
Example:
Pulp Fiction, Uma Thurman’s Overdose Scene. Directed by Quentin Tarantino, Miramax Films, 1994. Film.
In-Text Citations
In addition to the Works Cited entry, you’ll need to provide in-text citations within your paper to directly connect your analysis to the movie. These citations are brief and typically include the movie title (or a shortened version if it’s long) and, if relevant, a timestamp or scene description.
Example:
( Parasite)
( Parasite, 0:30:00)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
H3 FAQ 1: What if a movie has multiple directors?
List all directors, separated by commas, followed by “dirs.”
Example:
The Coen Brothers’ The Big Lebowski. Directed by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, 1998. Film.
H3 FAQ 2: What if the director is unknown?
If the director is unknown, begin the citation with the movie title. You can omit the “Directed by” section.
Example:
Reefer Madness. Motion Picture Corporation of America, 1936. Film.
H3 FAQ 3: How do I cite a foreign film with subtitles?
Cite the movie using the original title, if known, followed by the translated title in brackets. Include the director and production details as usual.
Example:
Amélie [Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain]. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, UGC, 2001. Film.
H3 FAQ 4: Can I cite a movie I saw in a theater?
Yes, cite it as a “Film.” The fact that you saw it in a theater does not change the citation format. Focus on the film’s core information.
Example:
Oppenheimer. Directed by Christopher Nolan, Universal Pictures, 2023. Film.
H3 FAQ 5: Do I need to include the country of origin of the film?
No, the country of origin is not typically included in an MLA movie citation. Focus on the core elements: title, director, production company, year, and medium.
H3 FAQ 6: How do I cite a movie commentary track?
Cite the movie as usual. Then, add information about the commentary track, specifying the commentators and labeling it as “Commentary track.”
Example:
The Silence of the Lambs. Directed by Jonathan Demme, Orion Pictures, 1991. Commentary track by Jonathan Demme, Jodie Foster, and Anthony Hopkins. DVD.
H3 FAQ 7: What if the production company is unknown?
If the production company is unknown, you can omit that element from the citation. Focus on providing the remaining information accurately.
Example:
Plan 9 from Outer Space. Directed by Edward D. Wood Jr., 1957. Film.
H3 FAQ 8: How specific should I be with the streaming service URL?
Ideally, provide the direct URL to the specific movie on the streaming service. If a direct URL isn’t available, use the general homepage of the streaming service.
H3 FAQ 9: Should I include the runtime of the movie?
Including the runtime is optional, but it can be helpful for your readers. It follows the year of release.
Example:
Arrival. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, 21 Laps Entertainment, 2016, 116 min. Film.
H3 FAQ 10: What if I am citing a clip of a movie I found on YouTube?
Treat the YouTube clip as a video and cite it accordingly, including the uploader’s name and the upload date. Note in the description that the clip is from the film.
Example:
[Uploader’s Last Name, First Name]. “Clip from [Movie Title].” YouTube, Upload Date, URL.
H3 FAQ 11: How do I cite a movie script?
Cite a movie script as you would a book, including the author (screenwriter), title of the script, publisher, and year of publication.
Example:
[Screenwriter’s Last Name, First Name]. [Title of the Script]. [Publisher], [Year of Publication].
H3 FAQ 12: Is it necessary to mention all actors in the “performances” section?
No, it is not necessary to list all actors. Only include actors whose performances are central to your argument or analysis. Overloading the citation with unnecessary information can detract from its clarity.
By following these guidelines and addressing these frequently asked questions, you can confidently and accurately cite movies in MLA format, ensuring proper attribution and enhancing the credibility of your research. Remember to consistently apply these principles throughout your work to maintain a professional and academically sound presentation.