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'The English Patient' dominates Academy Awards
Indy film claims best picture, eight other Oscars
March 25, 1997
Web posted at: 2:30 a.m. ESTHOLLYWOOD (CNN) -- "The English Patient," the sweeping World War II tale of tragedy, romance and adultery, seduced voters for the 69th Annual Academy Awards in epic proportions.
"I said my cup was full before. Now it runneth over," producer Saul Zaentz said as he accepted the night's top award of best picture.
Nominated for 12 Oscars, "The English Patient" won nine, including best director, supporting actress, cinematography, dramatic score, film editing, sound costume and art direction.
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The last time a film won as many Oscars was "The Last Emperor" in 1988. The all-time leader remains "Ben Hur," which claimed 11 Oscars in 1959.
Ironically, "The English Patient" was a film Hollywood didn't want to make.
After running into some financing problems, the film shut down after 20th Century Fox reportedly wanted more commercial casting to make it more of a box-office movie. Namely, the studio wanted a star like Demi Moore in the female lead. Zaentz declined any casting changes and ultimately won financing from Miramax.
"It's marvelous that the film has found an audience and been so warmly and generously received by you guys. I thank you," director Anthony Minghella said afterwards.
No sweep, but close
The top acting categories prevented an Oscar sweep by "The English Patient," a burn victim's tortured recollections of his misdeeds in time of war.
Geoffrey Rush, who played the mentally disturbed concert pianist of "Shine," won best actor and Frances McDormand, who played the pregnant Midwestern cop in "Fargo," was named best actress at the Academy Awards.
Concluding his thanks, Rush gave special tribute to "the unstoppable David Helfgott -- you truly are an inspiration." "Shine" told the story of the real-life Helfgott's struggle to overcome a mental breakdown.
Asked later by reporters what he felt of the reaction to the real-life pianist he played on film, Rush said:
"Some of the critics' comments have been extremely unfair. But music critics hear things through sophisticated ears and David offers something different. He pours out his life on the keyboard."
McDormand strutted to the stage and exclaimed: "What am I doing here? Especially considering the extraordinary group of women with whom I was nominated." She also complimented producers who allow directors to make "autonomous casting decisions" not based on "market value."
McDormand praised "Ethan Coen who helped make an actor of me, his brother Joel who helped make a woman of me, and Pedro McDormand Coen who helped make a mother of me."
2.2MB/60 sec. QuickTime movie
McDormand and her husband were in the process of adopting Pedro from Paraguay while they were working on "Fargo."
McDormand beat out Brenda Blethyn ("Secrets & Lies"), Diane Keaton ("Marvin's Room"), Kristin Scott Thomas ("The English Patient") and Emily Watson ("Breaking the Waves").
Rush triumphed over Tom Cruise ("Jerry Maguire"), Ralph Fiennes ("The English Patient"), Woody Harrelson ("The People vs. Larry Flynt") and Billy Bob Thornton ("Sling Blade").
Gooding's exuberance a crowd pleaser
In a vote that stunned some Oscar forecasters, Juliette Binoche won best supporting actress over veteran Lauren Bacall as "The English Patient's" compassionate Canadian nurse.
"We were sure, all of use, that she was going to get," Binoche said backstage. "And I hope she has an honored Oscar next year because she really deserves it."
The only major award for Hollywood studios went to Cuba Gooding Jr. for his portrayal of a football star struggling to reach his potential as "Jerry Maguire's" only client. He won the supporting actor Oscar.
After hugging "Jerry Maguire" star Tom Cruise on his way up to the stage, Gooding shouted out thank-yous and I-love-yous and jumped around like he had just caught a game-winning touchdown.
The Shrine Auditorium audience loved his exuberance and applauded as he yelled out thanks to his family and everyone connected to the movie.
"I know I have a little bit of time so I'm going to rush and get in everyone. You can cut away, I won't be mad at you," the excited Gooding warned the audience as he exceeded the 40-second acceptance speech limit.
Another award "The English Patient" didn't get went to Billy Bob Thornton, for his adapted screenplay of "Sling Blade," in which he also starred and directed.
Besides McDormand's award, "Fargo" also won for original screenplay.
Sentimental winner
Oscar specializes in sentiment, and a high point was reached when the documentary feature Oscar was presented to the producers of "When We Were Kings," which depicts a key fight in the career of former boxing champion Muhammad Ali.
When the producers gave credit to Ali, who was seated in the audience with his wife, the crowd applauded wildly in a standing ovation.
Ali, who has Parkinson's syndrome, made his way hesitantly to the stage along with one-time opponent George Foreman, who is also in the film.
Honors for best original song went to "You Must Love Me" which was written for Madonna in "Evita."
"Well, thank heavens there wasn't a song in 'The English Patient' is all I can say," said Andrew Lloyd Webber as he and Tim Rice collected the Oscar.
Outside the seemingly constant references to independent films, the evening was not without its controversies.
Present in a gold-plated wheelchair was Larry Flynt, the controversial publisher of "Hustler" magazine. As he arrived for the ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium a light plane flew overhead trailing a banner reading, "Columbia Studios Sucks -- Larry Flynt."
Columbia was the production company for the film, "The People vs. Larry Flynt." Woody Harrelson, who portrayed Flynt in the movie, was up for a Best Actor Oscar and it was not immediately clear who was responsible for the banner or what was behind its message.
Disney also dissed
Walt Disney Studios also came under an aerial bombardment over its alleged sweatshop practices in Haiti, where some of Disney's clothing and memorabilia lines are manufactured.
"Disney uses sweatshops -- 30 cents an hour in Haiti," a skyborne banner read.
On another political note ahead of the Oscars, the Rev. Jesse Jackson railed against racism in Hollywood a year after the civil rights activist picketed the event.
"Today there are still too few people of color being hired as writers, directors, and producers," Jackson said. "It would seem the aspirations of blacks, Latinos and others have hit perpetual yield signs and in most cases have been held up at red lights throughout this lucrative industry."
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
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Related stories:
- Fans, red carpet, even chocolate Oscars: It's show time! - March 24, 1997
- Hollywood makes 'declaration of independents' - February 11, 1997
- List of nominations for the Academy Awards - February 11, 1997
- Independent films catching mainstream Hollywood's eye - January 11, 1997
- Harrelson tackles 'Flynt' role with gusto - January 1, 1997
- Tom Cruise finds plenty to like in Jerry Maguire - December 14, 1996
- Against all odds, 'English Patient' hits the big screen - November 14, 1996
- 'Secrets and Lies' takes top honor at Cannes Film Festival - May 20, 1996
- 'Fargo:' Another Coen brothers gem? - March 7, 1996
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