Citing movies in MLA format accurately is crucial for academic integrity and acknowledging your sources properly. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the process, ensuring clarity and consistency in your citations, whether you’re referencing a blockbuster or an independent film.
Understanding the Basics of MLA Movie Citations
MLA (Modern Language Association) formatting provides a standardized method for referencing sources in academic writing, primarily in the humanities. When it comes to movies, a specific format ensures readers can easily locate the film you’re referencing. The core principle is to provide sufficient information for identification while adhering to MLA’s stylistic guidelines.
The fundamental structure for citing a movie in MLA 9th edition is:
Title of the Movie. Directed by Director’s First Name Last Name, Production Company, Year of Release.
Let’s break down each element:
- Title of the Movie: This is the full, official title, italicized.
- Directed by Director’s First Name Last Name: Include the director’s name in the format specified. While multiple directors are less common, their names should also be included.
- Production Company: Identify the primary production company responsible for the film.
- Year of Release: The year the movie was originally released.
Example:
Parasite. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, Barunson E&A, 2019.
This basic format provides a starting point, and you may need to adapt it depending on how you accessed the movie (e.g., streaming, DVD) or the specific aspect of the film you’re referencing (e.g., a particular actor’s performance).
Citing Different Movie Formats
The method of access influences the citation. Here’s how to handle common scenarios:
Citing a Movie on DVD or Blu-ray
When citing a movie accessed on DVD or Blu-ray, include the medium after the year of release:
Title of the Movie. Directed by Director’s First Name Last Name, Production Company, Year of Release. DVD. or Blu-ray.
Example:
The Godfather. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, Paramount Pictures, 1972. DVD.
Citing a Movie from a Streaming Service
For movies accessed on platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Hulu, you need to include the streaming service’s name.
Title of the Movie. Directed by Director’s First Name Last Name, Production Company, Year of Release. Streaming Service Name.
Example:
Roma. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, Esperanto Filmoj, 2018. Netflix.
Citing a Specific Scene or Character
If you’re referencing a particular scene or character, you should modify the citation accordingly. However, for broad references to the entire film, this isn’t necessary. For scenes, you might consider providing a timestamp. Character references should be clear within your prose.
Example (Character):
The protagonist in Arrival demonstrates incredible resilience and linguistic aptitude (Villeneuve).
Example (Scene – Hypothetical):
The pivotal scene depicting the alien ship’s arrival in Arrival effectively conveys the film’s central theme of communication (Villeneuve, 0:15:00-0:18:30). (Note: This example provides a timeframe; the format could also be tailored based on scene titles or descriptions, if available.)
Advanced Considerations
Beyond the fundamental formats, certain situations require further modifications.
Citing the Screenwriter Instead of the Director
In some cases, the screenwriter’s contribution might be more relevant to your argument. In these situations, cite the screenwriter instead of the director, labeling them as the writer:
Title of the Movie. Written by Writer’s First Name Last Name, Directed by Director’s First Name Last Name, Production Company, Year of Release.
Example:
The Social Network. Written by Aaron Sorkin, Directed by David Fincher, Columbia Pictures, 2010.
Citing a Movie in a Collection or Anthology
If the movie is part of a larger collection or anthology, include the anthology’s title and editor after the movie details:
Title of the Movie. Directed by Director’s First Name Last Name, Production Company, Year of Release. Title of Anthology, Edited by Editor’s First Name Last Name.
Example:
Metropolis. Directed by Fritz Lang, Universum Film AG, 1927. Science Fiction Film Classics, Edited by Jeremy G. Butler.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are twelve frequently asked questions about citing movies in MLA format, designed to address common uncertainties:
FAQ 1: Do I need to include the actors in the citation?
No, generally, you do not need to include the actors in a standard MLA movie citation. However, if an actor’s performance is central to your analysis, you can mention them in the body of your paper and then cite the movie as described above.
FAQ 2: What if the movie has multiple directors?
If a movie has multiple directors, list all of them, separated by “and”.
Example:
Singin’ in the Rain. Directed by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1952.
FAQ 3: What if I can’t find the production company?
If you cannot find the production company, omit that element from the citation.
Example:
Citizen Kane. Directed by Orson Welles, 1941.
FAQ 4: How do I cite a foreign film with a translated title?
Cite the title as it appears on the version you watched (usually the English-translated title), and then provide the original title in parentheses after the English title.
Example:
The Seventh Seal (Det sjunde inseglet). Directed by Ingmar Bergman, Svensk Filmindustri, 1957.
FAQ 5: How do I cite a documentary film?
Cite a documentary film just like any other film, including the director, production company, and year of release.
Example:
Man with a Movie Camera. Directed by Dziga Vertov, VUFKU, 1929.
FAQ 6: Where does the citation go in my paper?
The full citation goes in your Works Cited page at the end of your paper. In-text citations should use the director’s last name and potentially a timestamp if referencing a specific moment.
Example In-text: (Bong) or (Bong, 0:45:00-0:47:30)
FAQ 7: What if I am citing a movie review?
Citing a movie review is different from citing the movie itself. Follow the standard MLA format for citing a website article or a journal article, depending on where the review was published. Include the reviewer’s name, the title of the review, the publication, and the date of publication.
FAQ 8: Is the production company always necessary?
While including the production company is recommended for clarity, it’s not strictly required. Prioritize providing enough information for readers to locate the movie. If the production company is difficult to find, omitting it is acceptable.
FAQ 9: How do I cite a movie I watched in a theater?
Cite a movie watched in a theater as you would a general movie citation, focusing on the film’s core details (title, director, production company, year). There’s no need to mention the specific theater.
FAQ 10: How do I handle multiple production companies?
If there are multiple major production companies, include the first one listed or the one you deem most significant. You don’t need to list every single company involved.
FAQ 11: Do I italicize the streaming service’s name?
Yes, according to MLA 9th edition, the name of the streaming service should be italicized.
FAQ 12: What if the director is also the writer?
If the director is also the writer, you only need to mention them once, under “Directed by”. You don’t need to reiterate their name under “Written by”.
Mastering MLA movie citations ensures that your academic work is credible and adheres to established scholarly conventions. By understanding the fundamental principles and addressing common scenarios, you can accurately and confidently cite movies in your research.