Citing a movie in MLA format is essential for academic integrity, giving credit to the creators whose work informs your analysis and providing readers with the necessary information to locate the source. The core format typically includes the film’s title, director, distributor, and year of release, although specific elements may vary depending on the medium and additional contributing roles.
The Core Elements of an MLA Movie Citation
Properly citing a movie in MLA format ensures that your readers can easily locate the source material you used in your paper. The general format is as follows:
Title of the Movie. Directed by [Director’s Name], Distributor, Year of Release.
This is the foundational structure, but let’s break down each element and explore how it changes based on different viewing experiences.
Title of the Movie
The title should be presented exactly as it appears on the film itself. Italicize the title. For example: Casablanca.
Director’s Name
List the director’s name as “Directed by [First Name Last Name]”. If you need to include multiple directors, use “Directed by [First Name Last Name] and [First Name Last Name]”.
Distributor
The distributor is the company responsible for releasing the film. Common distributors include Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, and Netflix.
Year of Release
This is the year the movie was originally released, not the year you watched it.
Example: The Godfather. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, Paramount Pictures, 1972.
Citing Different Viewing Formats
While the basic format remains consistent, you’ll need to adjust your citation based on how you accessed the film.
Citing a Movie on DVD or Blu-ray
If you watched a physical copy of the movie, specify the medium after the year of release.
Example: Jaws. Directed by Steven Spielberg, Universal Pictures, 1975. DVD.
Citing a Movie on a Streaming Service
When citing a movie streamed online, include the streaming service after the year of release.
Example: Roma. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, Netflix, 2018.
Citing a Specific Scene or Performance
Sometimes you might want to cite a particular scene or performance within a movie. In this case, you’ll need to provide a timestamp indicating the start and end times of the relevant segment.
Example: Pulp Fiction. Directed by Quentin Tarantino, Miramax Films, 1994. Scene featuring the dance contest, 01:20:15-01:25:30.
Advanced Citation Scenarios
Beyond the basic format, several more complex situations might arise when citing movies.
Citing Multiple Contributors
If you need to highlight the contribution of someone other than the director, you can specify their role after their name.
Example: Arrival. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, screenplay by Eric Heisserer, Paramount Pictures, 2016.
Citing a Remake or Adaptation
If you’re discussing a remake or adaptation, make sure to clarify which version you’re referring to. You can include the original title and year in your analysis.
Citing a Movie from a Collection
If the movie is part of a larger collection, cite the movie first, followed by the collection’s title.
Example: Psycho. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection, Universal Pictures, 2012.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 12 frequently asked questions designed to address specific challenges and common concerns about citing movies in MLA format:
FAQ 1: How do I cite a movie I watched on YouTube?
If the movie is officially available on YouTube through a distributor’s channel, cite it similarly to other streaming services: Title of the Movie. Directed by [Director’s Name], Distributor, Year of Release. YouTube. However, if it’s uploaded by an unofficial source, exercise caution and consider whether it’s the best source. If you must cite it, include the uploader’s name (or channel name) and the upload date.
FAQ 2: What if the director is unknown?
If the director is unknown, you can omit that part of the citation. Begin with the title of the movie: Title of the Movie. Distributor, Year of Release.
FAQ 3: What if the distributor is unknown?
While it’s rare for the distributor to be completely unknown, you can sometimes find it on databases like IMDb or Wikipedia. If you truly cannot find it, omit it from the citation.
FAQ 4: How do I cite a movie that’s a compilation of short films?
Cite the individual short film you’re referencing, including the director of that particular segment. Then, include the title of the compilation. For example: “La Jetée.” Directed by Chris Marker. Sans Soleil, Argos Films, 1962.
FAQ 5: How do I cite subtitles in a movie?
You don’t typically cite subtitles specifically. Instead, focus on citing the film itself. If the subtitles are particularly relevant to your argument (e.g., you’re analyzing translation choices), you might mention it in the text of your paper.
FAQ 6: Do I need to include the URL when citing a movie streamed online?
MLA 9th edition generally does not require URLs unless specifically requested by your instructor. The streaming service name is usually sufficient.
FAQ 7: How do I cite a movie that has different release dates in different countries?
Use the original release date of the film. If you are specifically discussing the film’s release in a particular country, you can mention the alternative release date in the body of your paper.
FAQ 8: What if I’m citing a foreign film with a translated title?
Cite the original title of the film, followed by the English translation in square brackets: Amélie [Amélie]. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, UGC Fox Distribution, 2001.
FAQ 9: How do I cite a movie that I saw in the theater?
Cite it using the basic format: Title of the Movie. Directed by [Director’s Name], Distributor, Year of Release. The location of the viewing (e.g., “in theaters”) is not usually included.
FAQ 10: How do I cite a film series or franchise?
When discussing the entire series, you can refer to it by its franchise name within your text. If you are citing a specific film within the series, cite that individual film following the standard format.
FAQ 11: How do I cite a director’s cut or extended version of a film?
If you are citing a director’s cut or extended version, make sure to specify that in your citation, perhaps in a note after the standard elements. For example: Blade Runner: The Final Cut. Directed by Ridley Scott, Warner Bros., 2007. Note: Director’s Cut.
FAQ 12: Where does the movie citation go in my paper?
The complete citation goes in your Works Cited page at the end of your paper. In the body of your paper, you will use a brief in-text citation to refer to the source. This typically includes the title of the movie (or a shortened version) and, if necessary, a timestamp. For example: (The Godfather).
By carefully following these guidelines and examples, you can confidently and accurately cite movies in your MLA-formatted papers, ensuring academic integrity and giving proper credit to the filmmakers and artists who contribute to this powerful medium.