Search Tips: How to Find Films in the Library

To search for films we have in the library, use the drop down box in the Search Resources box on the library's homepage:

Use the keyword search, and then use the "Format" option in the column on the left side of the results page to narrow your results to "Videos and DVDs."

Online Databases for Film and Video Studies

Complete list of Duke's databases with film-related content.

Some of the best film studies databases, available to Duke users, include:

• FIAF/Film Index International
• International Index to the Performing Arts
• MLA International Bibliography

Web Resources

Reviews and Criticism

 To find reviews and film criticism, check out these sites.

• Film Resources on the Web
• MRQE: Movie Review Query Engine
• Rotten Tomatoes
• Duke Film Reviews & Criticism Subject Guide

Film Reference Sites

To look up titles and reference information, as well as news and reviews, try these helpful sites. 

• Facets.org
• IMDb: the Internet Movie Database

You can also use the classic catalog.  This is especially useful, if you want to find specific actors or directors.

To search for films in the classic catalog, go to and choose the Classic Catalog link found in the Search Resources box in the upper left of the page.

Director/Actor Search

1. Click on Advanced Search from the banner at the top of the screen
2. Select Author Keywords from the drop down menu (treat actors and directors as if they were authors)
3. Under Format in the blue box on the right of the screen select Film/Video from the drop down menu
4. Enter Author keywords (Examples: John Cassavetes AND falk; Marilyn Monroe AND MGM; PBS AND Ken Burns)
5. Click Go

General Search Tips for Classic Catalog

• Limit your search by selecting a location (Lilly Library, etc.); language, and year (year is the date the video format was released, not the date the original feature film was released).
• Using the wildcard "?" or "*" within a word or at the end of a word will yield all forms of the word (Example: Jew* will yield results that include “Jew,” “Jews” and “Jewish”). 
• Use "!" to find variant spellings in cases where a single character may vary (Example: wom!n will yield results that include both “woman” and “women.”)
• For additional information, click on HELP from banner at top of catalog