'Dances with Wolves' wins Seven Oscars
About the article
This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from March 1991.
Brought to you by
It was Oscar Night in Los Angeles and the general expectation by studios was that "Dances With Wolves," a spectacular look at life on the old Northwest Frontier with a cavalry lieutenant played by Kevin Costner going over to the Sioux Indian tribe, would be the big winner. They were not to be disappointed.
At the first Oscar presentation, in 1926, actress Janet Gaynor and 14 men received their awards in four minutes and 22 seconds. The show on Monday night lasted three and a half hours and was watched, its producers say, by a billion television viewers.
Fans who packed outdoor stands to watch the stars arrive at the Shrine Auditorium had been told not to carry cameras, binoculars or umbrellas. Under new security precautions, they are banned from being able to conceal weapons.
'Dances with Wolves', Kevin Costner's epic western that presents the viewpoint of the American Indians, dominated the Academy Awards, sweeping the board with seven Oscars altogether, including best picture and director.
'Dances', which had led with 12 nominations, also won for sound, original score, film editing, cinematography and for Michael Blake's screenplay adapted from his own novel.
Kathy Bates, who played the demented recluse in 'Misery' and Jeremy Irons, who portrayed the sinister Claus Von Bulow of 'Reversal of Fortune', won Academy Awards. for best leading performances.
"I will never forget what happened tonight," an exultant Costner said as he held up the best picture trophy he shared with co-producer Jim Wilson. He referred to "my native American brothers and sisters" who also will cherish the prize. Costner also won an Oscar for his directorial debut of a three hour, big-budget film with subtitles that Hollywood had scorned, but which became a box-Office and critical sensation.
"I'd like to thank the Academy - I've been waiting a long time to say that," said a tearful Miss Bates, an upset winner who was a relative unknown in films despite a long stage career. Most observers had predicted that either Anjelica Huston or Joanne Woodward would walk off with the prize.
"This is great." Jeremy Irons said. He thanked his wife in England saying, "I wish you were here to carry this, because you helped me win it."
Whoopi Goldberg, the fake psychic who surprises herself by actually contacting the dead in 'Ghost', and Joe Pesci, who portrayed the maniacal mobster of 'Goodfellas', won Oscars for supporting performances. Here is a complete list of the 63rd Annual Academy Awards winners:-
1. PICTURE: "Dances With Wolves," Kevin Costner and Jim Wilson, producers.
2. ACTOR: Jeremy Irons, "Reversal of Fortune."
3. ACTRESS: Kathy Bates, "Misery."
4. SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Whoopi Goldberg, "Ghost."
5. SUPPORTING ACTOR: Joe Pesci, "GoodFellas."
6. DIRECTOR: Kevin Costner, "Dances With Wolves."
7. ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Bruce Joel Rubin, "Ghost."
8. ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Michael Blake, "Dances With Wolves."
9. FOREIGN FILM: "Journey of Hope," Switzerland. 10. FILM EDITING: Neil Travis, "Dances With Wolves."
11. ART DIRECTION: Richard Sylbert (Art Direction), Rick Simpson (Set Decoration), "Dick Tracy." CINEMATOGRAPHY: Dean Semler, "Dances With Wolves."
13. COSTUME DESIGN: Franca Squarciapino, "Cyrano de Bergerac."
14. DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: "American Dream," Barbara Kopple and Arthur Cohn, producers.
15. DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT: "Days of Waiting," Steven Okazaki, producer.
16. MAKEUP: John Caglione Jr. and Doug Drexler, "Dick Tracy."
17. MUSIC ORIGINAL SCORE: John Barry, "Dances With Wolves."
18. MUSIC ORIGINAL SONG: "Sooner or Later (I Always Get My Man)," music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, "Dick Tracy."
19. ANIMATED SHORT FILM: "Creature Comforts," Nick Park, producer.
20. LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM: "The Lunch Date," Adam Davison, producer.
21. SOUND: Russell Williams II, Jeffrey Perkins, Bill W. Benton and Greg Watkins, "Dances With Wolves."
22. SOUND EFFECTS EDITING: Cecelia Hall and George Watters II, "The Hunt for Red October."
Awards announced in advance: HONORARY OSCAR: Myrna Loy. HONORARY OSCAR: Sophia Loren. IRVING J. THALBERG AWARD: Producers Richard Zanuck and David Brown. SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT FOR SPECIAL EFFECTS: "Total Recall."
ACADEMY AWARD OF MERIT: Eastman Kodak Co., for a new film technology.
GORDON SAWYER TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Stefan Kudelski, for development of first self-contained movie sound recorder.
