The Return of the King rules them all

6.40pm - UPDATE


The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King has won top honours at the Oscars today.

The third film in the fantasy trilogy won best film and New Zealand director Peter Jackson won Hollywood's pinnacle, best director.

The Oscars were a triumph for The Return Of The King, winning all 11 categories in which it was nominated. Only Ben Hur and Titanic have won as many Oscars.

It's win marks the greatest achievement in local cinema history.

"Thank you so much to the Academy. You're giving us an incredibly overwhelming night," Jackson said accepting his best director award.

"I want to say a few quick words, especially to the people of New Zealand and the Government of New Zealand and the city councils and everyone who has supported us the length and breadth of the country," Jackson said accepting the award.

Jackson was joined on stage by members of the cast and crew of the film, and its producers.

"This is just unbelievable, and I'm so honoured and touched and relieved that the Academy and members of the Academy have seen past the trolls and wizards and the hobbits in recognising fantasy this year.

"Fantasy's an F word that hopefully the five-second delay won't do anything with."

The Return Of The King became the first fantasy or science fiction film to win a Best Film Oscar.

Jackson said New Line Cinema had done "the most risky thing I think anyone has ever done in this industry" in backing Jackson to make a three movie trilogy based on J R R Tolkien's fantasy classic The Lord Of The Rings.

"I'm so happy for you it paid off. Your collaboration, your partnership and support gave me the most incredible working experience of my life."

Jackson also thanked his parents, neither of whom lived to see their son accept his best directing Oscar.

"When I was eight years old I made films at home on a Super 8 camera that my Mum and Dad had bought me. They supported me all through the years and they died in the last few years -- they didn't see these films made.

"To Bill and Joan, thank you."


Producer Barrie Osborne paid tribute to the four films beaten by The Return Of The King -- Lost In Translation, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, Mystic River, and Seabiscuit.

"To be nominated with these four other films, these four other great films, and after these many years, to receive this award is really a thrill for all of us.

"It's a tribute to the talent of all the people, both in front of the camera and behind the camera."



The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King received Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director (Peter Jackson), Adapted Screenplay (Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson), Best Music (Score) for Howard Shore, Best Song , Best Art Direction ( Grant Major -- art direction, Dan Hennah and Alan Lee, set decoration), Best Costume Design (Ngila Dickson, Richard Taylor), Best Film Editing (Jamie Selkirk), Best Makeup (Richard Taylor, Peter King), Best Sound (Christopher Boyes, Michael Semanick, Michael Hedges and Hammond Peek), and Best Visual Effects (Jim Rygiel, Joe Letteri, Randall William Cook and Alex Funke).

- NZPA (additional reporting By CATHY ARONSON)