'Crash' runs over 'Brokeback Mountain'

06-03-2006 12:30

'Crash' was the unlikely winner at last night's (05.03.06) Oscars beating 'Brokeback Mountain' to the coveted Best Picture award.The racial drama scooped the coveted prize, as well as two other accolades, ahead of the hotly-tipped gay cowboy movie - much to the shock of the star-studded audience.As 'Crash' - which contained a stellar cast, including Matt Dillon and Sandra Bullock - was announced as the winner, the film's clearly overjoyed cast and crew jumped out of their sits and joyously embraced each other.

However, 'Brokeback Mountain', which had been nominated for eight Academy Awards, didn't go home empty-handed, riding off with three awards, including Best Director for Ang Lee, Best Original Score and Best Adapted Screenplay.As he collected his award, Lee praised the movie's lead characters, Ennis and Jack, saying: "They taught all of us so much, not just about the gay men and women in our society but, just as importantly, about the greatness of love itself."Despite his personal triumph, the film-maker did not hide his disappointment over losing out to 'Crash'.After the ceremony, he said: "I was a little shocked. We've been winning the whole season."

'Capote' star Philip Seymour Hoffman walked away with the Best Actor prize for his portrayal of celebrated author Truman Capote.

During his acceptance speech the emotional actor praised his mother for inspiring him to become an actor.

He said: "I'm overwhelmed, I'm really overwhelmed.

"Be proud, mom, because I'm proud of you, and we're here tonight, and it's so good."

As predicted, Reese Witherspoon won the Best Actress Oscar for playing June Carter Cash in the Johnny cash biopic 'Walk the Line'.

Elsewhere, George Clooney, who was nominated in three categories, landed the Best Supporting Actor prize for 'Syriana' early on, while pregnant British beauty Rachel Weisz scooped the Best Supporting Actress accolade for her performance in 'The Constant Gardner'.

78th Annual Academy Awards full list of winners:

Best Supporting actor - George Clooney, Syriana

Visual effects King Kong

Best Animated feature film - Wallace and Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Best Live action short film - Six Shooter

Best Animated short film - The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Conversation

Best Costume - Memoirs of a Geisha

Best Makeup - The Chronicles of Narnia

Best Supporting actress - Rachel Weisz, The Constant Gardener

Best Documentary (short subject) - A Note of Triumph: The Golden Age of Norman Corwin

Best Documentary feature - March of the Penguins

Best Art direction - Memoirs of a Geisha