76th Annual Academy Award Winners

Academy Awards Forum

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Alec Baldwin - The Cooler
Benicio Del Toro - 21 Grams
Dijimon Hounsou - In America
Tim Robbins - MYSTIC RIVER
Ken Watanabe - The Last Samurai

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Tim Robbins' Acceptance Speech:

Oh boy. Wow. Thank you so much. Members of the Academy, this is really a lovely, lovely honor. I'd like to thank my fellow nominees who are all spectacular and I want to work with all of you in a movie at some point. Dennis Lehane, Brian Helgeland for the writing of this amazing script. Clint Eastwood, you're so great. You're such an amazing director. And you're making my mantle very crowded. Thank you. It's due to you, sir. My fellow cast members, Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon, Marcia Gay Harden, Laura Linney, Laurence Fishburne. The crew was fantastic, Toni Howard, Lisa Kasteler, Alan Horn, Bruce Berman, Jeff Robinov, and from Warner Bros. Joe Hyams, Judie Hoyt, Rob Lorenz, my mom and dad, Dave Delgabi, Terry, hang in there. You can kick it. Guy's family. Your dad's smiling down on you. Susan, I love you so much. Eva, Jack, Miles. Thanks for being there for me. Susan, thanks for being the best friend one could have. The Actor's Gang in "Embedded" in New York, thank you so much for putting up with me being here and I would like to say one more thing. In this movie, I play a victim of abuse and violence and if you are out there and are a person that has -- had that tragedy befall you, there is no shame and no weakness in seeking help and counseling it is sometimes the strongest thing that you can do to stop the cycle of violence. Thank you.

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Shohreh Aghdashloo - House of Sand and Fog
Patricia Clarkson - Pieces of April
Marcia Gay Harden - Mystic River
Holly Hunter - Thirteen
Renée Zellweger - COLD MOUNTAIN

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Renée Zellweger's Acceptance Speech

I am overwhelmed. I am overwhelmed. Thank you. I would like to thank the Academy for inviting me here tonight, alongside so many talented people. Holly, Patricia and Marcia, and Shohresh. I am honored, honored to be here with you. I'm standing here because of so many people, and I would like to thank them now, if I could. Charles Frazier, thank you for your masterpiece and the gift of Ruby. I have to thank the producers, cast and crew of "Cold Mountain." I'll never forget it, never, because of you, especially Jude and Nicole. Such a privilege to go to work every day with you. Such a privilege, my friends. Thank you. Anthony Minghella, you are brilliant. And I care so much for you. Thank you for all that you taught me, for making me be better and for your friendship. My friends at Miramax, for making this film, especially Harvey. And Meryl Poster, quite a gamble. Thank you for doing it. My fellows at CAA Brandt and Bryan and Kevin and Jenny Rawlings who take such good care of me. Actors Clearinghouse for the good start, Vincent D'Onofrio for teaching me how to work, Tom Cruise for showing me that very early on kindness and success are not mutually exclusive. And finally most importantly in my life, my glorious family, my immigrant mom and dad. Thank you for never saying don't try. My brother, who I love so much, and his new wife, who clapped the loudest and laughed the loudest. I love you so much. Nanci Ryder, who's always there, and my beloved John Carrabino thank you for sharing this journey with me for every day of it. Without you, there would be none of this. Thank you for dreaming so much bigger than I would have ever dare to dream. And for making me believe. Love you. This is for you. Thank you.

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

Brother Bear
FINDING NEMO (Andrew Standon)
The Triplets of Belleville

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Andrew Standon's Acceptance Speech

"Finding Nemo" would have never been possible if it wasn't for the extraordinary film making environment created at Pixar Animation Studios by John Lassiter, Ed Catmull and Steve Jobs. And I am going to be forever grateful to the entire cast and crew of Nemo for the giving of their talents to this little fish story that i had. In particular, my producer Graham Walters and my co-director Lee Unkrich who should be up here with me right now accepting this. Thanks to -- Dick Cook and his incredible distribution team at Disney. Thanks to the Academy, to my loving parents, to my adoring children and to my wife, Julie. I wrote it to you in a note in eighth grade, now i can say it in front of 1 billion people. I love you.

ART DIRECTION

Girl with a Pearl Earring
The Last Samurai
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Seabiscuit

Grant Major (Art Direction); Dan Hennah and Alan Lee (Set Decoration)

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ACCEPTANCE SPEECHES

Grant Major: Well, on behalf of all of us in the art department of "The Lord of the Rings" it's such a great moment to be here. Thank you very much to the Academy. It's been a long journey for us all, and it's just an incredible high note to finish it on. It's been an amazing ride.

Dan Hennah: I'd like to thank New Line, Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne. Mark Ordesky and of course the late Carla Fry.

Alan Lee: I'd like to thank the real wizard who led us through this amazing journey and inspired us with his energy, his vision and his nerve. And Peter Jackson, thank you very, very much for delivering these to us. And that's all, folks.

COSTUME DESIGN

Girl With a Pearl Earring
The LAst Samurai
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Seabiscuit

Ngila Dickson and Richard Taylor

ACCEPTANCE SPEECHES:

Ngila Dickson: Well, Mr. Peter Jackson and Fran Marsh, you are amazing people and Barrie Osborne. My amazing wardrobe crew. An unbelievable group of people who have stuck with us through thick and thin, five long years of film making. And Richard and Weta, my husband Hamish, my assistant Sophia, Liz, Sian, Bob, Caro, Emma, all these amazing people.

Richard Taylor: From a group of people back in Wellington, New Zealand the Weta Workshop, Peter, Fran, Barrie, everyone at New Line, the amazing cast and crew, that supported us through the last seven years, I thank you so much. Special thanks to Gary Mackay, who helped me put the team together, and the amazing armorers, weapons makers back at the Weta Workshop, complementing Ngila and her amazing team and Tania my partner, the young girl who, at the age of 13, I bought two live rats at my first present to her. You're still with me. What a great treat. Onwards and upwards. I love you.

SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)

Die Rote Jacke (The Red Jacket)
Most (The Bridge)
Squash
Torzija (Torsion)
TWO SOLDIERS

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Aaron Schneider and Andrew J. Sacks

Aaron Schneider's Acceptance Speech:

Oh, man, this is amazing. Billy Crystal, I'll bet you don't remember recommending film school to a 20-year-old kid wondering what to do with his life about 18 years ago. Thank you for that. Thank you to the Academy. I'd like to thank our cast, Jonathan Furr his parents David and Janet, Ben Allison, Ron Perlman, David Andrews and the rest of our cast. Our crew, Kate Miller, Betsy Pollock, Bob Ducsay, David Boyd, C. Robert Holloway Kelly Matsumoto, Alonzo Wilson, the amazingly generous Alan Silvestri, Joe Roth for a ten-second grace period on the speech clock please. Craig and Lisa Mae Fincannon, Scott Gershin Melissa Hofmann, Rebecca Clark and the NCSA School of Filmmaking. Brian Sprule, Michael Zakula, Bev Woods, Zil Rabinski Phil Raden, the lovely and talented Marc Shaiman down there somewhere, please for coming in late on this next music cue. Leon Silverman, John Stern, Howard Anderson, Lee Kaplan, Jill Faulkner Summers and our American treasure William Faulkner who wrote "Two Soldiers" in 1942 after the first unprovoked attack on the united states. It's the story of two brothers who fight to preserve their family and country. Like a sibling's love, a soldier's devotion is selfless and unconditional and need not concern itself with politics of war. I dedicate this to my family and soldiers who protect our loved ones and the freedoms we celebrate. Thank you.

SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)

Boundin'
Destino
Gone Nutty
HARVIE KRUMPET - Adam Elliot
Nibbles

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ACCEPTANCE SPEECHES

Adam Elliott: Wow. "Harvie Krumpet" has been a film that's in my head for over ten years and I'm so glad he's out. We'd like to congratulate everyone in Australia who have helped "Harvie" come to life. In particular the Australian Film Commission, Film Victoria and SBS Independent, "Harvie" will be screening on SBS television next Monday night at 9:00 P.M. I would also like to congratulate our fantastic cast and crew especially our uncle, Geoffrey Rush, for lending us his most beautiful voice. Finally, we'd like to thank very -- two very very special people, my friend Juliet and my beautiful boyfriend Dan. Thank you.

Melanie Coombs: I'd like to congratulate my mother, Margaret Harris to live in the hearts of others is not to die and you'll always be in my heart. We'd like to thank the Academy. Thank you so much.

VISUAL EFFECTS

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Jim Rygiel, Joe Letteri, Randall William Cook and Alex Funke

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Acceptance Speeches:

Jim Rygiel: A trilogy of thank yous to the Academy. The amazingly brilliant Peter Jackson, wherever you are out there, Fran Walsh, Barrie Osborne, Lauren Ritchie, my vfx crew, Dean Wright, Libby Hazell, Aaron Cowan, all the people on Weta and Theresa, Sara, and Jackson, my family.

Randall William Cook: Thanks to you for being so generous to us for the last three years running. Thanks, Pete and thanks to my wonderful animation team.

Joe Letteri: Thanks everyone for the amazing reception we've gotten to the work. Thank you Eileen Moran for keeping it all together, Peter and Fran for being such an inspiration, everyone at Weta Digital for that burst of creative energy. Thank you.

Alex Funke: Thank you Peter, Fran, Barrie, Richard my darling wife Emmy and my brilliant Kiwi effects team. Thank you!

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Balseros
Capturing the Friedmans
THE FOG OF WAR
My Architect
The Weather Underground

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Errol Morris and Michael Williams

Errol Morris's Acceptance Speech:

This thing is heavy. I'd like to thank the Academy for finally recognizing my films. Thank you so very, very, very much! I thought it would never happen. I'd like to thank my very good friends at Sony Pictures Classics, Michael Barker, Tom Bernard. No one would get to see this movie without them. My two producers Michael Williams, Julie Ahlberg. Couldn't have made the movie without them either. My long suffering editors Charlie Silver, Brad Fuller. And Karen Schmeer and Doug Abel, thank you also very much. And believe it or not, Robert McNamara, with whom, if he hadn't done it there would have been no film. 40 years ago this country went down a rabbit hole in Vietnam and millions died. I fear we're going down a rabbit hole once again. And if people can stop and think and reflect on some of the ideas and issues in this movie, perhaps I've done some damn good here. Thank you very, very much.

[Editors Note: Why is it always the documentary folks who just have to make some dogmatic political statement? Grrr...]

DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT

Asylum
CHERNOBYL HEART (Maryann DeLeo)
Ferry Tales

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ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

Thank you. This is an amazing honor. I feel you're also honoring the people of Chernobyl, who are suffering the effects of radiation still, 18 years later after the world's worst accident at the reactor. I could not have made this film without Adi Roche. She's up there. She heads the Chernobyl Children's Project and they are saving lives every day. Adi is a true hero. Sheila Nevins from HBO has been a wonderful mentor and she's an amazing woman and I wouldn't be standing here without her. It's not easy to stand here. Dr. William Novick also saves the lives of children in Belarus and all over the world with the International Children's Heart Foundation. Angie Kenny is also here. She's my friend and worked on the film. And I want to thank her. I want to thank John Custodio, Rogelio Velasco. I want to thank my mother, who's here with me tonight. She's smiling back there. For everything. My father, who's home in Pearl River. For being there for me. All my brothers and sisters. I have a big family. I won't name them all. But they're all here and I love them all and i thank them for their support. Thank you very much.

FILM EDITING

City of God
Cold Mountain
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING - Jamie Selkirk
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Seabiscuit

ACCEPTANCE SPEECH:

This is certainly a great honor. Thank you to the Academy. Thank you Peter and Fran for giving me the opportunity to be involved with such a fantastic production. Thanks to New Line for putting up the cash to get it going at the start of the trilogy. Thank you to my lovely wife Anne, and my two boys Damon and Brad. They have been really supportive over the last six years on this job. And thank you to all my great editing team, they are always the people get left behind and they actually are a really fantastic team. Especially Annie Collins and Jen Horvath Peter Skarratt and Jenny Vial. Jo Priest, Mark Hawthorne, Brett, Ian, Michele, Dave and Heather. They're all a fantastic team. Thank you very much.

HONORARY AWARD

Blake Edwards

Wow. That felt good. I have been allowed a minute and a half, or 90 seconds, my choice, to thank everyone that made it possible for me to receive this honor. When I started giving it some thought, serious thought, everyone -- I mean everyone -- got me here tonight. The first person that came to mind when I tried to pick them out was a little guy who worked on "The Party," the film I did, called "The Party" and he used to come out with a shovel and scoop up the elephant poop and as he did, he sang "There's no business like show business." And then there was a confused Italian actor that we tried to get him to understand what this okay sign meant in our vernacular. Okay. We just said, just do that. And he always did this. And so we decided better we conform to him than he to us. So, from then on, on the set, I would say, get the shot Phil? Cutting room? You drop a couple frames just before the alligator swallows the chimp, Ralphie? Do you think Audrey can sing it, Henry? My point is, each and everyone who has contributed to this moment, friends and foes alike. Yeah, I couldn't have done it without the foes. I'm steamed and I'm gonna prove you wrong. Okay? So it's everyone, from the little guy with the shovel, to the discerning folks in the Academy. My mother thanks you, my father thanks you and the beautiful English broad with the incomparable soprano and promiscuous vocabulary, thank you. And I sure as hell thank you.


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CINEMATOGRAPHY

City of Gold
Girl With a Pearl Earring
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD - Russell Boyd
Seabiscuit

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ACCEPTANCE SPEECH:

I have an Australian accent. I'd like to thank the Academy and a wonderful cast and crew. If I could mention my entire camera crew by name, I'd be here all night, but they did an absolutely wonderful supporting job for me, and for Peter and the whole production. Also, I'd like to thank Pat Murray my gaffer, and Chris Centrella my key grip, Ann Murtha and Larry Mirisch and to Duncan Henderson, who steered the ship some of the time. He was a great, great person to work with. And most of all, to Peter Weir, who provided extraordinary inspiration to all of us to give of our best. And to my family, Sandy and my boys, thank you very much.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS (Canada) - Directed by Denys Arcand
Evil
The Twilight Samurai
Twin Sisters
Želary

ACCEPTANCE SPEECHES:

Denise Robert: We're so thankful that "Lord of the Rings" did not qualify in this category. We'd like to thank the Academy. We'd like to thank the co-producer, Fabienne Vonier, Victor Louis, the Canadian, French and Quebec government for their support of the film industry. Thank you Agnes Mentre and Miramax. Thank you Harvey Weinstein for putting your heart behind this film and shining the light on this. We'd really like to share this with you and share it with the actors and the technicians who worked so well on this film.

Denys Arcand: My time's up, as usual.

Daniel Louis: Thank you, everyone.

MAKEUP

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

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Richard Taylor, Peter King

Acceptance Speeches:

Peter King: God, it's scary up here. I'd just like to thank the Academy. I'd like to thank New Line. I'd like to thank Peter, Fran, Philippa, Barrie. I'd like to thank all the team back in New Zealand, who worked so hard for such a long, long time I'd like to thank my gorgeous wife Sarah for being there every night with a glass of wine when i got home. And thank my gorgeous daughter for just being gorgeous. And thank you.

Richard Taylor: Marjory Hamlin, Dominie Till, who looked after our on-set prosthetic applications for so many months. Jason Docherty, who manufactured over 10,000 of those prosthetics to be applied. Gino Acevedo, the gentleman within our company that looked after the work for so long. The cast that had to wear it all over all those months. I apologize for the rubbery faces and the funny noses but cheers to you all. Thank you. Thank the Academy and Tania. Cheers.

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)

American Splendor
City of God
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
Mystic River
Seabiscuit

Screenplay by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson

Acceptance Speeches:

Philippa Boyens: Okay. We grew up loving these books. We had no idea that we were gonna go gray trying to make them into movies. And we have so many people that we need to thank, but the first person we absolutely must thank is Professor J.R.R. Tolkien. Without him we wouldn't be standing here. I want to thank my parents John and Jane Boyens who gave me those books to read. My wonderful brother David, my sister Nicki, my beautiful children Calum and Phoebe, and Ken Kamins Barrie Osborne, Howard Shore thank you so much for everything that you've done for us. Most of all, I want to thank these two people standing behind me.

Peter Jackson: Thank you. Thank you New Line Cinema, Mark Ordesky especially for all your script support along the way. We want to say hi to our kids Billy and Katie for putting up so much with mom and dad working on this film all their lives. Because they're only 7 and 8 years old. And I especially just lastly want to thank our wonderful cast who just got their tongues around this rather awkward text and made it come to life with such emotion and passion and heart. So thank you very, very much.

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)

The Barbarian Invasions
Dirty Pretty Things
Finding Nemo
In America
LOST IN TRANSLATION - Sofia Coppola

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Ms. Coppola's Acceptance Speech:

Thank you. I can't believe I'm standing here. Thank you. Thank you to the Academy for giving me this honor. Thank you to my dad for everything he taught me. Thank you to my brother Roman and all my friends who were there for me when I was stuck at 12 pages and encouraged me to keep writing. And the filmmakers whose movies -- I have to breathe. The filmmakers whose movies inspired me when I was writing this script, Antonioni and Wong Kar-Wai and Bob Fosse and Godard and all the others. And every writer needs a muse. Mine was Bill Murray. Thanks to my mom for always encouraging us to try to make art, and thank you to Bart and Ross for helping make my script into a movie. And thank you to everyone at Focus. Thank you.

SOUND MIXING

The Last Samurai
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
Seabiscuit

ACCEPTANCE SPEECHES

Christopher Boyes: Thank you to the Academy. Thank you to the amazing Peter Jackson for an incredible journey. Barrie Osborne, Fran Walsh, and Mark Ordesky.

Michael Semanick: Everyone at New Line Cinemas, Jodi Levin, Ethan Van der Ryn, Michael Hopkins, David Farmer and the entire sound crew. We couldn't have done it without you. My wife, Cheri, my three kids, Nicole, Jordan and Joseph, I love you.

Michael Hedges: Yes, and I'd like to thank my wife Joanne and my family and all of the guys and the team at Park Road post production back in New Zealand. We've done a great thing here. Especially Sue Thompson and John Neill.

Hammond Peek: Thank you to the production crew. Thank you to my wife and kids, and lastly, thank you to the people of New Zealand, stand up, take a bow, you make us proud.

SOUND EDITING

Finding Nemo
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD - Richard King
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Richard King's Acceptance Speech:

I'd like to thank the Academy for this incredible honor. My crew. Linda Yeaney, Andrew Bock, Michael Mitchell, Hamilton Sterling, Hugo Weng, Michael Magill, Chris Flick, Gary Hecker, Bob Kizer, Laura Graham, Monique Salvato, John P. Fasal and Eric Potter. Everyone at Fox especially Jeff Harlacker. Our brilliant picture editing department led by Lee Smith. My good friends and fellow sailors Paul Massey and Doug Hemphill. And most of all I'd like to thank our captain, Peter Weir. Your vision is honored here, Peter and I was thrilled to be along for the ride. Thank you. And finally I'd like to dedicate this to my beautiful wife Sue, my son Sam and to the memory of my mother, who will always be in our hearts. Thank you.

MUSIC (SCORE)
Big Fish
Cold Mountain
Finding Nemo
Houst of Sand and Fog
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING - Howard Shore

[ Editor's note: Elfman's score for "Big Fish" was just as deserving; I wish there was an Oscar for Best-Score-by-the-Guy-the-Academy-Hates, because he would have won it. Regardless, Shore's score was phenominal, for all three movies. GO HOWARD]

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Howard Shore's Acceptance Speech

It's incredible. Just breathe a bit. Many thanks to the Academy. I'd like to share this Oscar with all of the amazing musicians and great vocal artists who played on this piece. Special note to Annie Lennox, Renee Fleming, Sir James Galway, Ben del Maestro. I was incredibly inspired by Tolkien's great work, Peter Jackson's visionary film making, the great writing of Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens. Elizabeth, my darling, I love you. Thank you for your love and support. Mae, for your wonderful encouragement. All the people who have helped us through this making of these films, Bob and Michael, Paul and Lori, Barrie Osborne, Rick Porras Sam and Mike, Ronald Jajacques, I thank you, Robby Kearns, Mark Willsher and, of course, Steven Einhorn. Thanks so much. Thank you, Academy. Thank you.

MUSIC (SONG)

"Belleville Rendez-vous" - The Triplets of Belleville
"Into the West" - THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
"A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow" - A Mighty Wind
"Scarlet Tide" - Cold Mountain
"You Will Be My Ain True Love" - Cold Mountain

ACCEPTANCE SPEECHES

Annie Lennox: Wow. Wow. I'm stunned. Thank you so very much to the Academy. I'd like to thank Peter Jackson so much for inviting me to be part of this extraordinary project. Thank you so much, Peter. It's amazing. Thank you. Fran, Howard, this is very moving for me. You are extraordinary, very inspiring and I hope you enjoy the song when I sang it tonight. Thank you. Simon, my wonderful manager, Tara, my assistant, Joyce at home, I'd like to dedicate my performance of the song to my mother, who passed away last year and also to my darling friend Michael Kamen. I'll miss them so much. Thank you.

Fran Walsh: Can I do one thing? I just want to do one tiny thank you. It's to Sharon and Reese Duncan, who are watching in New Zealand, and their son. I know. More. But their son was an inspiration for this song, and it's an honor to share it with him. Thank you.

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Johnny Depp - Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Ben Kingsley - House of Sand and Fog
Jude Law - Cold Mountain
Bill Murray - Lost in Translation
Sean Penn - MYSTIC RIVER

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Sean's Acceptance Speech:

Thank you. If there's one thing that actors know, other than that there weren't any wmds -- it's that there is no such thing as best in acting. And That's proven by these great actors that I was nominated with as well as the -- as well as the Giamattis, Cages, Downey Jrs., Nicholsons, etc. that were not nominated. We know how great all of you were. My daughter Dylan and son Hopper find it presumptuous and embarrassing to write a speech, and so I'm gonna give it a go without. God, I really thank Clint Eastwood professionally and humanly for coming into my life. The great, great cast that I had to work with, my friends. Where do you go? Dennis Lehane, Brian Helgeland, Ma. Dad. Robin, for being an undying emotional inspiration on this roller coaster I'm learning to enjoy. Thank you all very much.

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Keisha Castle-Hughes - Whale Rider
Diane Keaton - Something's Gotta Give
Samantha Morton - In America
Charlize Theron - MONSTER
Naomi Watts - 21 Grams

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ACCEPTANCE SPEECH:

This has been such an incredible year. I can't believe this. I don't have a lot of time. I have to thank my incredible director, Patty Jenkins. Thank you, thank you, thank you. All of our producers, Brad, Clark, Meagan, Mark, Donald, Sammy Lee, everybody at Media 8, Bob and everybody at Newmarket, thank you so much for working so hard on this film. My incredible, incredible leading lady Christina Ricci, who I couldn't have done this film without. You are truly the unsung hero of this film. I have to thank our entire crew, Toni G. For transforming me, so incredibly. Every single person who worked on this film. I couldn't have done it without you guys. My incredible manager J.J. Harris, who has represented me for so long now and you've always believed in me. I can't thank you enough. My friend, Steve Warren, my lawyer, thank you so much. Yes, I know. He's my friend. Heidi Schaeffer and Amanda Silverman from PMK. My guardian angel Beth Kono. My producing partner Meagan Riley-Grant and if I'm forgetting anybody, please don't kill me. And I know everybody in New Zealand has been thanked so I'm going to thank everybody in South Africa, my home country. They're all watching tonight. And I'm bringing this home next week. And I have to thank my incredible partner in crime, you're one hell of a partner to have. Thank you so much for standing by me. And my mom. You've sacrificed so much for me to be able to live here and make my dreams come true. And there are no words to describe how much I love you. And I'm not gonna cry. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

DIRECTING

City of God
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING - Peter Jackson
Lost in Translation
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Mystic River

Mr. Jackson's Acceptance Speech

Wow. Thank you so much to the Academy and you're giving us an incredibly overwhelming night. We just appreciate it so much. Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne, God you did the most risky thing that i think anyone has ever done in this industry, and I'm so happy for you that it paid off. Your collaboration and your partnership and your support just gave me the most incredible working experience of my life. To Barrie Osborne, our producer, thank you so much, Barrie, for just being there every day and supporting us. To a wonderful cast, and a wonderful crew in New Zealand, everybody that made my working days so enjoyable. It was just there when I needed it to be there. And the actors were just doing such a wonderful job. And I just want to thank two very special people that when I was 8 years old I made films at home on a Super-8 camera that my mum and dad had bought for me. And they supported me all through the years. And they died in the last few years. They didn't see these films made. So for Bill and Joan, thank you. Thank you.

[ Editor's note: About five minutes into the evening, I started to realize that it would not only be a night for Return of the King, but also a "Return of the Titanic" - not since Titanic's release in 2000 has a single picture taken so many Oscars. Indeed, Lord of the Rings cleaned house tonight, taking 12 Oscars plus numerous other awards (such as a Science and Tech Oscar). It was a clean sweep for Jackson et al... and quite deservingly so.]

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ACCEPTANCE SPEECHES:

Peter Jackson: Just waiting for Fran to get her Oscar. There we go. This is just unbelievable. I'm so honored, touched and relieved that the Academy and members of the Academy that have supported us have seen past the trolls and the wizards the hobbits and are now recognizing fantasy this year. Fantasy is an f-word that hopefully the five second delay won't do anything with. I just want to say a very few quick words especially to the people of New Zealand and the government of New Zealand and the city councils and everybody who supported us the length and breadth of the country. Billy Crystal is welcome to come and make a film in New Zealand any time he wants. A special thanks to Peter Nelson and Ken Kamins, who were with me right from the days of "Bad Taste," and "Meet the Feebles" which were wisely overlooked by the Academy at that time. And I especially want to pay tribute to our wonderful producer, Barrie Osborne. And I'd please like him to say a few words.

Barrie Osborne: It's a great honor to be here. I started out in the business 35 years ago getting people coffee. And I wonder if the fact that I dated Billy Crystal's cousin so many years ago has anything to do with this. But it is really a great pleasure to be in such great company. Uh-oh, I'm in trouble now. To be nominated with these four other great films and after these many years to receive this award is really a thrill for all of us and we all thank the Academy. It's really a tribute to the talents of all the people both in front of the camera and behind the camera that we win this award. I want to thank, in particular, my partner Carol, my beautiful daughter Danielle and my 87-year-old dad who's out there in the back somewhere here to celebrate this with us. I want to thank, also, J.R.R. Tolkien and also the fans that supported us on this journey. And of course, Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne whose courageous venture allowed us to make this film and their support throughout the journey, and Mark Ordesky, who worked alongside of us throughout and became a great film -- a great friend, sorry. And of course to Peter Jackson, who was never satisfied with 100%. But by his example of pushing for 110%, he inspired all of us to do our utmost to make these films and bring them to the screen. And finally, to Weta, who is in Chicago, in Wellington, New Zealand, and to the production team who are in the Port Nicholson Yacht Club, it's time to celebrate

thanks for putting this up Mike! and i have to agree, Peter Jackson and LOTR finally got the credit they deserved!

Indeed... the One Ring ruled them all! LOL...

hey, those pics dont work!