Quoting a movie in MLA (Modern Language Association) style requires precision and adherence to specific formatting guidelines. The essence of successful movie quotation in MLA lies in accurately representing the original source while providing your audience with the necessary information to locate that source themselves. This includes the specific time stamps of the dialogue or action you’re referencing, along with a properly formatted Works Cited entry.
Understanding the Basics: In-Text Citations and Works Cited Entries
The foundation of MLA citation rests on two pillars: in-text citations and the Works Cited page. The in-text citation directs readers to the full source entry on the Works Cited page, providing crucial context without disrupting the flow of your argument. The Works Cited entry provides all the necessary information for readers to locate the film.
In-Text Citations: The Director’s Cut
When incorporating direct quotes from a film into your writing, the in-text citation should include the title of the film in italics (or underlined if italics are unavailable) and the relevant time stamp, indicating the precise moment the quote appears. For instance:
( Casablanca, 00:22:15-00:22:20)
This indicates that the quoted dialogue occurs between 22 minutes, 15 seconds and 22 minutes, 20 seconds into the film.
If you’ve already mentioned the film title in the sentence leading up to the quote, you can simply include the time stamp in parentheses:
In Casablanca, Rick famously says, “Here’s looking at you, kid” (00:22:15-00:22:20).
When citing a scene without direct dialogue, describe the scene briefly and include the timestamp:
A close-up reveals Ilsa’s conflicted expression as she stares at Rick ( Casablanca, 00:45:30).
Works Cited Entries: The Film’s Credits
The Works Cited entry is a more detailed citation that provides comprehensive information about the film. The basic format is:
Director’s Last Name, First Name, director. Title of Film. Distributor, Year of Release.
For example:
Curtiz, Michael, director. Casablanca. Warner Bros., 1942.
If you are focusing on a specific aspect of the film, such as a particular performance, you can include the actor’s name in the entry:
Bogart, Humphrey, performer. Casablanca. Directed by Michael Curtiz, Warner Bros., 1942.
If accessing the film via a streaming service or DVD, include this information as well:
Curtiz, Michael, director. Casablanca. Warner Bros., 1942. Netflix, www.netflix.com. Accessed 15 Oct. 2023.
The “Accessed” date is crucial for online sources, as content can change or disappear.
Crafting Effective Movie Citations: Best Practices
Accurate and effective movie citations enhance the credibility and readability of your work. Following these best practices will ensure your citations meet MLA standards and effectively guide your readers.
Precision is Paramount
Always double-check your timestamps. Even a small discrepancy can hinder your reader’s ability to locate the exact moment you are referencing. Utilize multiple viewing platforms, if available, to confirm the accuracy of the timestamps, especially when dealing with edited versions.
Contextualize Your Quotes
Don’t just drop quotes into your writing. Provide context that explains the quote’s significance to your argument. Explain who is speaking, to whom, and under what circumstances. This helps your audience understand the quote’s relevance and strengthens your analysis.
Use Signal Phrases Effectively
Use signal phrases to introduce quotes and scenes. These phrases provide a smooth transition and integrate the quote seamlessly into your writing. Examples include: “As Rick explains…”, “Ilsa’s reaction reveals…”, or “The director emphasizes…”.
Handle Foreign Films with Care
When quoting foreign films, provide the original dialogue and a translation, if necessary. Include both in your Works Cited entry. For example:
Bergman, Ingmar, director. Persona. Svensk Filmindustri, 1966.
(Original Swedish dialogue) Translation into English.
FAQs: Diving Deeper into Movie Citation in MLA
Here are some frequently asked questions to address specific challenges you might encounter when citing movies in MLA style:
FAQ 1: How do I cite a movie if I don’t know the director?
If the director is unknown or uncredited, you can start the Works Cited entry with the title of the film.
Title of Film. Distributor, Year of Release.
FAQ 2: What if I’m citing a documentary film?
The same principles apply. Identify the director (or start with the title if the director is unknown) and include the distributor and year of release.
FAQ 3: How do I cite a specific scene within a movie?
While you don’t specifically “cite a scene” in the Works Cited, your in-text citation with the time stamp directs the reader to the relevant part of the film. In your analysis, describe the scene to provide further context.
FAQ 4: How do I cite a movie review?
Cite the movie review as you would any other article, including the author, title of the review, title of the publication, date of publication, and URL (if accessed online). Then, in your discussion of the review, you can reference the film itself using the standard movie citation format.
FAQ 5: What if there are multiple directors?
List all directors in the Works Cited entry, separated by commas and the word “and” before the last director.
Director 1 Last Name, First Name, and Director 2 Last Name, First Name, directors. Title of Film. Distributor, Year of Release.
FAQ 6: How do I cite a movie accessed via a streaming service that changes its offerings frequently?
Always include the “Accessed” date in your Works Cited entry. This acknowledges that the availability of the film on that specific streaming service may be temporary. Also, note the platform in your citation (e.g., Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu).
FAQ 7: How do I cite a movie available on DVD?
Include the DVD information in your Works Cited entry.
Director’s Last Name, First Name, director. Title of Film. Distributor, Year of Release. DVD.
FAQ 8: Should I italicize or underline the movie title?
MLA style prefers italics for titles of films. However, if you are writing in a situation where italics are not available (e.g., a handwritten essay), underlining is an acceptable alternative. Be consistent throughout your work.
FAQ 9: What if I’m analyzing the visual elements of a movie and not quoting dialogue?
Describe the scene in detail and include the time stamp in your in-text citation. For example:
The low-angle shot emphasizes the villain’s power ( Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, 00:55:20).
FAQ 10: How detailed should my scene descriptions be?
Provide enough detail so that your reader can understand the significance of the scene you are analyzing. Focus on key elements such as camera angles, lighting, setting, and character actions.
FAQ 11: Do I need to include the actors in the Works Cited entry?
Generally, you only need to include the director and distributor information in the Works Cited entry. However, if your analysis focuses specifically on an actor’s performance, you can include the actor’s name at the beginning of the entry, followed by “performer.”
FAQ 12: What if the movie is based on a book? Do I cite both?
If you are discussing the movie as a separate entity, cite only the movie. If you are comparing the movie to the book, cite both the movie and the book in your Works Cited page. In your analysis, make it clear which source you are referring to at any given time.
By adhering to these guidelines and understanding the nuances of MLA citation, you can effectively integrate movies into your scholarly work while maintaining academic integrity and providing your readers with the resources they need to engage with your analysis. Mastering the art of quoting movies in MLA ensures your cinematic insights shine through with clarity and authority.