Nida Faraz describes outstanding ventures that were well-rewarded
It is widely recognized that outstanding work is duly rewarded by the film industry and such output is feted by awarding Oscar winning films and people since 1929. It is also well-known that while some actors, directors, and movies have been nominated countless times, only a few hold top spots as winners of the famed golden statue. Their achievement is widely applauded making them become icons of the vast film world. Here is a list of some Oscar winning films and people.
Gone With the Wind (1939)
The sweeping historical drama based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell won nine Oscars at the 12th Academy Awards. Vivien Leigh triumphed, winning Best Actress, while the film took home awards for cinematography, directing, and writing. Hattie McDaniel won the Best Supporting Actress award for her role as Mammy, making history as the first African-American to win an Oscar.
Gigi (1958)
A musical about a young girl (Leslie Caron) being trained as a courtesan, Gigi took home Oscars in all nine of its nominated categories, including Best Picture, costume design, and music. Vincente Minnelli won the Oscar for Best Director his first and only in a long career working on Hollywood musicals.
The English Patient (1996)
A love story set amidst the Second World War, The English Patient won nine of the 12 Oscar categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress for Juliette Binoche. The film, based on the Booker Prize-winning novel by Michael Ondaatje, also took home awards for directing, cinematography, sound, and costume design.
West Side Story (1961)
The choreography, music, and art direction of this musical swept the 34th Academy Awards held in 1962, winning 10 Oscars, including Best Picture. Rita Moreno made history that evening as well when her Oscar-winning Best Supporting Actress role in the film made her the first Latina actress to win the award.
Cedric Gibbons
The Irish art director not only won 11 Oscars for his work in Hollywood but is also known for designing the iconic gold statue given out to winners and for replacing the painted sceneries used by filmmakers with three-dimensional sets. One of the founding members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Gibbons’ name appears in the credits of almost 1,500 films.
Ben-Hur (1959)
The ambitious and biblical film claimed 11 of the 12 Oscar categories for which it was nominated at the 32nd Academy Awards, setting the record for most wins at the annual ceremony. Best Picture, Best Actor for Charlton Heston and Best Director were among those categories won but the film also set another record at the time: the most expensive movie ever made, with a budget of $15 million. The Weekender
