Accurately citing films in MLA format is crucial for academic integrity and demonstrating scholarly rigor. Properly acknowledging the creative work of filmmakers and ensuring your audience can easily locate the source material is paramount, especially when building arguments and analyzing cinematic techniques.
The Core Principles of Citing Films in MLA
Citing a movie in an essay using MLA (Modern Language Association) format involves providing specific information that allows readers to identify and locate the film. The fundamental principle is to provide a works cited entry that adheres to the MLA template for film, followed by in-text citations referencing that entry. This allows you to seamlessly weave analysis and discussion of the film within your essay. Let’s delve into the specifics.
Building Your Works Cited Entry
The works cited entry for a film in MLA format generally includes the following elements, in this order:
- Title of the Film: Italicized.
- Director(s): Directed by followed by the director’s name(s).
- Major Performers (Optional): Include if your analysis focuses significantly on their performances. Precede with “Starring.”
- Distributor: The company that released the film.
- Year of Release.
Here’s an example:
Casablanca. Directed by Michael Curtiz, Warner Bros., 1942.
Let’s break down each element:
Title of the Film
Always italicize the full title of the movie. If the title begins with “A,” “An,” or “The,” include it.
- Example: The Godfather.
Director(s)
List the director(s) after “Directed by.” Use “and” to connect multiple directors.
- Example: Parasite. Directed by Bong Joon-ho.
- Example: Finding Nemo. Directed by Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich.
Major Performers (Optional)
This element is crucial if your analysis focuses on specific actors’ performances.
- Example: La La Land. Directed by Damien Chazelle, starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, Lionsgate, 2016.
Distributor
The distributor is the company that released the film. This information is usually found on the film’s packaging or on online databases like IMDb (Internet Movie Database).
- Example: Inception. Directed by Christopher Nolan, Warner Bros. Pictures, 2010.
Year of Release
Provide the year the film was originally released.
- Example: Citizen Kane. Directed by Orson Welles, RKO Radio Pictures, 1941.
Crafting In-Text Citations
After creating your works cited entry, you need to include in-text citations whenever you refer to the film in your essay. In MLA, in-text citations typically include the title of the film (or a shortened version) and, if applicable, a time stamp.
Basic In-Text Citation
When referring to the film in general, simply use the title in parentheses. If you’ve already mentioned the title in your sentence, no citation is needed.
- Example: The Shawshank Redemption (Darabont).
- Example: Darabont’s The Shawshank Redemption explores themes of hope and resilience. (No citation needed in this case).
Citing Specific Scenes with Time Stamps
When referring to specific scenes or dialogue, include a time stamp indicating the beginning of the relevant section. This allows readers to quickly locate the cited material.
- Example: The pivotal scene where Andy Dufresne escapes is deeply symbolic ( The Shawshank Redemption, 2:01:15-2:04:30).
Citing a Specific Actor’s Performance
If you’re discussing a specific performance, you can include the actor’s name in the citation.
- Example: Margot Robbie’s performance as Harley Quinn is both captivating and unsettling (Suicide Squad, Ayer).
FAQs: Deepening Your Understanding
Here are some frequently asked questions about citing movies in MLA format, designed to address common concerns and scenarios:
What if a film has multiple directors?
List all directors in the order they are credited, separating their names with “and.” In your in-text citation, use the name of the first director listed.
How do I cite a film I watched online (e.g., Netflix, Amazon Prime)?
The works cited entry should include the platform where you watched the film and the date you accessed it. For example:
Roma. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, Netflix, 2018. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.
What if the director is also the screenwriter? Do I need to include both roles?
No, you only need to list the director in the works cited entry. However, you can mention the screenwriter in your analysis within the essay’s body.
How do I cite a documentary film?
Cite documentaries in the same way as other films, including the director, distributor, and year of release.
What if I only know the director’s last name?
Try to find the director’s full name using reliable sources like IMDb or film databases. If you cannot find the full name, use the last name followed by a comma and “dir.” (e.g., Welles, dir.) in both the works cited entry and in-text citation.
How do I cite a film review from a website?
This requires a separate citation. The works cited entry should follow the MLA format for citing a website. Include the author of the review (if available), the title of the review in quotation marks, the name of the website in italics, the date of publication, and the URL.
Do I need to include the country of origin for the film?
No, the country of origin is not typically included in MLA film citations. The distributor provides sufficient information about the film’s release.
What if I’m citing a specific line of dialogue from the film?
Use a time stamp to indicate when the dialogue occurs. For example: Rick famously says, “Here’s looking at you, kid” (Casablanca, 0:35:20).
What if the film is based on a novel or play?
You can mention the source material in your essay’s body, but the citation should still focus on the film itself. If you’re analyzing the adaptation, you might mention both the film and the original source.
How do I cite a film available on DVD or Blu-ray?
The works cited entry remains largely the same, focusing on the director, distributor, and release year. The format (DVD or Blu-ray) is generally not included.
What if I’m discussing the cinematography or visual effects in detail?
You can acknowledge the cinematographer or visual effects supervisor in your analysis. However, the works cited entry still focuses on the director as the primary creative force.
Can I shorten the film title in my in-text citations?
Yes, if the full title is lengthy. After the first mention, you can use a shortened version that is easily recognizable. For example, after citing The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, you can subsequently refer to it as The Fellowship of the Ring or simply Lord of the Rings.
Conclusion: Citing Films with Confidence
Mastering MLA citation for films requires attention to detail and adherence to the established guidelines. By understanding the core principles of creating works cited entries and crafting accurate in-text citations, you can confidently incorporate film analysis into your academic work while maintaining scholarly integrity. Remember to always consult the official MLA Handbook for the most up-to-date information.