The Modern Language Association (MLA) style offers a standardized format for citing sources, ensuring academic integrity and clarity. Properly citing a movie in MLA requires specific information presented in a consistent order, enabling readers to locate the film and verify your research.
Understanding the Core MLA Movie Citation Structure
The basic format for citing a movie in MLA 9th edition is as follows:
Title of Movie. Directed by Director’s Name, Production Company, Year of Release.
Let’s break down each element:
- Title of Movie: Italicize the full title of the movie, including any subtitles. Use title case (capitalize the first letter of each major word).
- Directed by Director’s Name: Always include the director, since they are the primary creative force behind the film. Use “Directed by” followed by the director’s full name (First Name Last Name).
- Production Company: This is the primary company responsible for producing the film. It’s often found at the beginning or end of the movie credits.
- Year of Release: The year the movie was first released to the public.
For example:
Parasite. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, Barunson E&A, 2019.
Essential Elements Beyond the Basic Format
While the above format covers the core components, more details might be required depending on the specific context of your citation. This includes specifying formats and accessed platforms.
Specifying Format
If you’re citing a specific format, such as a DVD, Blu-ray, or streaming service, include this information after the year of release.
For DVD/Blu-ray:
Parasite. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, Barunson E&A, 2019. DVD.
For Streaming Services:
Parasite. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, Barunson E&A, 2019. Netflix.
Citing Specific Scenes or Actors
Sometimes, you might need to reference a particular scene or an actor’s performance. While a full scene citation is less common, you can reference an actor’s name within your prose. When you do so, referencing the film in which they appear is necessary.
For example: “Scarlett Johansson delivered a powerful performance in Marriage Story (2019), particularly during…” You would then include the standard Marriage Story citation in your Works Cited list.
In-Text Citations
Remember that your Works Cited entry must correspond with your in-text citations. For a movie, you’ll usually use a shortened version of the title in parentheses.
For example: (Parasite).
If you’re referencing a specific element (like an actor’s performance), your in-text citation might be integrated within the sentence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQ 1: What if a movie has multiple directors?
If a movie has multiple directors, list them in the order they appear in the film’s credits, separated by commas and ending with “and.”
Example: 22 Jump Street. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Columbia Pictures, 2014.
FAQ 2: What if the director is also the writer? Do I need to include both?
No. In MLA, you typically only list the director. The director is considered the primary creative force. If you specifically need to cite the writer for their contribution, you might consider a separate citation for the screenplay if it’s available as a published text.
FAQ 3: How do I cite a movie that’s only available on a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu?
Include the streaming service name after the year of release, as demonstrated earlier:
Example: Roma. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, Netflix, 2018.
FAQ 4: What if the movie is very old and the production company is difficult to find?
Prioritize finding a reliable source for the information. Check reputable movie databases like IMDb or AFI Catalog. If the production company is truly unavailable after diligent searching, omit it from the citation. Your citation might then appear as:
Metropolis. Directed by Fritz Lang, 1927.
FAQ 5: How do I cite a documentary film?
The citation for a documentary is essentially the same as for a feature film:
Man with a Movie Camera. Directed by Dziga Vertov, VUFKU, 1929.
If the documentary focuses heavily on a specific individual, you might add their name after the title, separated by a comma.
FAQ 6: What if I watched the movie in a cinema? Do I need to specify that?
No. If you saw the movie in a cinema, you don’t need to specify that in your citation. The location where you watched it is not relevant to the citation.
FAQ 7: How should I format the Works Cited page?
The Works Cited page should be at the end of your paper, on a separate page. Entries should be alphabetized by the first word of the citation (usually the title of the movie). Use hanging indentation: the first line of each entry is flush with the left margin, and subsequent lines are indented.
FAQ 8: Can I cite a movie trailer?
Citing a movie trailer is less common but possible if it’s relevant to your argument. Use this format:
Title of Movie Trailer. Uploaded by Uploader’s Name, Date of Upload, Platform, URL.
Example: The Batman – Official Trailer. Uploaded by Warner Bros. Pictures, 16 Oct. 2021, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqqj2Cf7J-Y.
FAQ 9: What if the title of the movie starts with “A,” “An,” or “The”?
When alphabetizing your Works Cited list, ignore “A,” “An,” and “The” at the beginning of the title. Alphabetize based on the next word. For example, The Shawshank Redemption would be listed under “S” for “Shawshank.”
FAQ 10: How do I cite a movie review?
Citing a review is different than citing the movie itself. You will cite the review as you would any article, including the reviewer’s name, the title of the review (if there is one), the publication where it appeared, and the date of publication. In the Works Cited, provide the MLA citation for the review. In the body of your essay, you may reference the film along with the review.
FAQ 11: Is the MLA handbook the best source for these types of questions?
Yes, the official MLA Handbook is the definitive source for all MLA formatting and citation guidelines. While online guides can be helpful, always consult the handbook for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Libraries and university writing centers often have copies available.
FAQ 12: What if I’m unsure about a specific detail, like the exact production company?
Err on the side of providing as much accurate information as possible. Cross-reference information from multiple reputable sources (like IMDb, AFI Catalog, and Criterion Collection) to ensure accuracy. If you are still unsure, it is better to leave out uncertain information than to include incorrect details. Remember, the goal is to allow readers to easily locate the source.