10:38AM, Feb 24, 2009
Slumdog Millionaire unleashed a wave of homegrown euphoria when it picked up eight Academy Awards. It's the best Oscars performance by a British film since The English Patient, which picked up nine awards 12 years ago.
After Slumdog – a film that almost went straight to DVD - the Union flag was also waving after Kate Winslet – as expected – picked up the best actress Oscar for The Reader, her first win after five previous nominations.
Slumdog’s Danny Boyle literally jumped for joy when he mounted the stage to pick up his award for best director, one of eight it picked up out of the ten it was nominated for.
“My kids are too old to remember this now but – when they were much younger – I swore that should this miracle ever happened then I would receive it in the spirit of Tigger from Winnie The Pooh,” he said.
He went on to thank his parents, the people of Mumbai – “you dwarf even this guy,” he said, holding up his Oscar – and even had a “shout out” to Manchester’s St Mary’s Social Club in Radcliffe.
During his acceptance speech he paid tribute to Indian choreographer Longinus, whose name he had left off the movie’s end credits. “I’m an idiot and I apologise from the bottom of my heart.”
An emotional Winslet – barely able to compose herself – landed the best actress Oscar for her portrayal of a former SS guard who is tried for war crimes after she had forged a relationship with a naïve teenager.
“I’d be lying if I hadn’t made a version of this speech before,” she gasped. “I think I was probably eight years old and staring into the bathroom mirror and this (holds up Oscar statuette) is a shampoo bottle. Well, it’s not a shampoo bottle now!
I feel very fortunate to have made it all the way from there (Reading) to here (Hollywood). There was no division between the cast and the crew on this film and this was what made it so special. To be surrounded by such remarkable people who provided an unbroken chain of support.
I want to acknowledge my fellow nominees – these Goddesses. I think we all can’t believe we were in a category with Meryl Streep at all. I’m sorry Meryl but you’ll just have to suck that up!
Among the victorious Slumdog contingent were Simon Beaufoy, who was previously nominated for The Full Monty in 1997, who won best adapted screenplay.
“There are certain places in the universe you never imagine standing,” he said. “The Moon, the South Pole, the Miss World Podium and here. It’s a tremendous honour.”
It also picked a best film editing gong for Chris Dickens – “I had a fantastic time working on this film,” he said. “I really didn’t want it to end.” Adding to the Slumdog tally was composer AR Rahman, who also picked up the best original song Oscar for Jai Ho. “Before coming I was excited and terrified – the last time I felt like this was during my marriage”.
Slumdog scored again when Oxford-born Anthony Dod Mantle, whose offbeat career has ranged from the Dogme drama Festen to the Oscar-winning Last King of Scotland, picked up a best cinematography Academy Award.
“I could thank thousands of people - I can’t do it,” he told the audience at the Kodak Theatre. Completing a triumphant night for the Anglo-Indian production, Slumdog also picked up the best sound mixing Oscar.
Michael O'Connor, costume designer for The Duchess, was also honoured for his work.
Last but not least, Man on Wire landed Blighty with another gong. “Nothing is impossible,” declared British director James Marsh after picking up the Oscar for best documentary for his film about the “artistic crime of the century”.
