73rd Academy Awards

73rd Academy Awards
Official poster promoting the 73rd Academy Awards in 2001.
Official poster
DateMarch 25, 2001
SiteShrine Auditorium
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Hosted bySteve Martin[1]
Preshow hostsChris Connelly
Julie Moran
Jim Moret[2]
Produced byGil Cates[3]
Directed byLouis J. Horvitz[4]
Highlights
Best PictureGladiator
Most awardsGladiator (5)
Most nominationsGladiator (12)
TV in the United States
NetworkABC
Duration3 hours, 23 minutes[5]
Ratings42.9 million
26.2% (Nielsen ratings)[6]

The 73rd Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored the best of 2000 in film and took place on March 25, 2001, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, beginning at 5:30 p.m. PST / 8:30 p.m. EST. During the ceremony, AMPAS presented Academy Awards (commonly referred to as Oscars) in 23 categories. The ceremony, televised in the United States by ABC, was produced by Gil Cates and was directed by Louis J. Horvitz.[7] Actor Steve Martin hosted the show for the first time.[8] Three weeks earlier in a ceremony at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California held on March 3, the Academy Awards for Technical Achievement were presented by host Renée Zellweger.[9]

Gladiator won five awards, including Best Picture.[10] Other winners included Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Traffic with four awards and Almost Famous, Big Mama, Erin Brockovich, Father and Daughter, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport, Pollock, Quiero Ser, U-571, and Wonder Boys with one. The telecast garnered almost 43 million viewers in the United States.

Winners and nominees[edit]

The nominees for the 73rd Academy Awards were announced on February 13, 2001, by Robert Rehme, president of the Academy, and Academy Award-winning actress Kathy Bates.[11] Gladiator received the most nominations with twelve. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon came in second with ten.[12]

The winners were announced during the awards ceremony on March 25, 2001.[13] Gladiator became the first film to win Best Picture without a directing or screenwriting win since 1949's All the King's Men.[14] Best Director winner Steven Soderbergh, who received nominations for both Erin Brockovich and Traffic (for which he won the award), was the third person to receive double directing nominations in the same year.[A][15] Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon became the third film nominated simultaneously for Best Picture and Best Foreign Language Film in the same year.[B][16] Moreover, its ten nominations were the most for a foreign language film.[17] With four wins, the film is tied with Fanny and Alexander and Parasite as the most awarded foreign language films in Academy Awards history.[18] By virtue of his brother's Best Supporting Actor nomination for 1988's Running on Empty, Best Supporting Actor nominee Joaquin Phoenix and River became the first pair of brothers to earn acting nominations.[19]

Awards[edit]

Branko Lustig, Best Picture co-winner
Steven Soderbergh, Best Director winner
Russell Crowe, Best Actor winner
Julia Roberts, Best Actress winner
Benicio del Toro, Best Supporting Actor winner
Marcia Gay Harden, Best Supporting Actress winner
Cameron Crowe, Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen/Original Screenplay winner
Stephen Gaghan, Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published/Adapted Screenplay winner
Ang Lee, Best Foreign Language Film winner
Florian Gallenberger, Best Live Action Short Film winner
Michaël Dudok de Wit, Best Animated Short Film winner
Tan Dun, Best Original Score winner
Bob Dylan, Best Original Song winner
Peter Pau, Best Cinematography winner
Rick Baker, Best Makeup co-winner
Stephen Mirrione, Best Film Editing winner

Winners are listed first, highlighted in boldface, and indicated with a double dagger (‡).[20]

Academy Honorary Awards[edit]

Irving G. Thalberg Award[edit]

Films with multiple nominations and awards[edit]

Presenters and performers[edit]

The following individuals, listed in order of appearance, presented awards or performed musical numbers.[24]

Presenters[edit]

Name(s) Role
Gina Tuttle Announcer for the 73rd annual Academy Awards
Susan J. Helms
Yury Usachov
James S. Voss
Introducers of host Steve Martin
Catherine Zeta-Jones Presenter of the award for Best Art Direction
Nicolas Cage Presenter of the award for Best Supporting Actress
Russell Crowe Presenter of the award for Best Film Editing
Ben Stiller Presenter of the award for Best Live Action Short Film and Best Animated Short Film
Halle Berry Introducer of the performance of Best Original Song nominee "My Funny Friend and Me"
Ben Affleck Presenter of the film Traffic on the Best Picture segment
Penélope Cruz Presenter of the award for Best Costume Design
Robert Rehme (AMPAS president) Giver of remarks announcing the end of his tenure as president of AMPAS
Angelina Jolie Presenter of the award for Best Supporting Actor
Mike Myers Presenter of the awards Best Sound and Best Sound Editing
Ashley Judd Presenter of the film Chocolat on the Best Picture segment
Julia Stiles Introducer of the performance of Best Original Song nominee "A Love Before Time"
Julia Roberts Presenter of the award for Best Cinematography
Morgan Freeman Presenter of the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon on the Best Picture segment
Kate Hudson Presenter of the award for Best Makeup
Dustin Hoffman Presenter of the Honorary Academy Award to Jack Cardiff
Samuel L. Jackson Presenter of the awards for Best Documentary Short Subject and Best Documentary Feature
Sarah Jessica Parker Introducer of the performance of Best Original Song nominee "A Fool in Love"
Michelle Yeoh
Chow Yun-fat
Presenter of the award for Best Visual Effects
Renée Zellweger Presenter of the segment of the Academy Awards for Technical Achievement and the Gordon E. Sawyer Award
Sigourney Weaver Presenter of the film Gladiator on the Best Picture segment
Goldie Hawn Introducer of the performance of excerpts of the nominees for Best Original Score and presenter of the award for Best Original Score
Anthony Hopkins Presenter of the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award to Dino De Laurentiis
Winona Ryder Introducer of the performance of Best Original Song nominee "I've Seen It All"
John Travolta Presenter of the In Memoriam tribute
Juliette Binoche
Jack Valenti
Presenters of the award for Best Foreign Language Film
Jennifer Lopez Introducer of the performance of Best Original Song nominee "Things Have Changed" and presenter of the award for Best Original Song
Hilary Swank Presenter of the award for Best Actor
Annette Bening Presenter of the film Erin Brockovich on the Best Picture segment
Julie Andrews Presenter of the Honorary Academy Award for Ernest Lehman
Kevin Spacey Presenter of the award for Best Actress
Tom Hanks Introducer of presenter Arthur C. Clarke
Arthur C. Clarke Presenter of the award for Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Tom Hanks Presenter of the award for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen/Original Screenplay
Tom Cruise Presenter of the award for Best Director
Michael Douglas Presenter of the award for Best Picture

Performers[edit]

Role Name(s) Performed
Musical Arranger and Conductor Bill Conti Orchestral
Performer Sting "My Funny Friend and Me" from The Emperor's New Groove
Performer Coco Lee "A Love Before Time" from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Performers Susanna Hoffs
Randy Newman
"A Fool in Love" from Meet the Parents
Performers Yo-Yo Ma &
Itzhak Perlman

Li Qiao

Performed selections from the Best Original Score nominees

Performed Selected classic work of Peking Opera

Performer Björk "I've Seen It All" from Dancer in the Dark
Performer Bob Dylan "Things Have Changed" from Wonder Boys

Ceremony information[edit]

Photo of Steve Martin at the 120th Anniversary of Carnegie Hall in April 2011.
Steve Martin hosted the 73rd Academy Awards

Despite earning both critical praise and increased viewership from last year's ceremony, actor Billy Crystal announced that he would not host the ceremony for a second consecutive year.[25] He listed his role in the film America's Sweethearts and his directing and producing duties for the made-for-television film 61* as obstacles preventing him from reprising his role as emcee.[26] Shortly after being selected as producer for the awards gala, Gil Cates hired actor and comedian Steve Martin as host for the 2001 telecast.[27] Cates explained his choice of Martin as host saying, "He's a movie star, he's funny, he's classy, he's literate — he'll be a wonderful host."[28] Additionally, AMPAS president Robert Rehme approved of the selection stating, "Steve is a man of great style. I am simply elated to have him on board. He was at the top of our list, we offered and he accepted; it was as simple as that."[29] Martin expressed his delight in hosting the gala jokingly retorting, "If you can't win 'em, join 'em."[30]

In view of the gala taking place in the year 2001, Cates christened the show with a theme saluting the Stanley Kubrick science fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey.[31] In tandem with the theme, astronauts Susan J. Helms, Yury Usachov, and James S. Voss who were inside the International Space Station Alpha Destiny module during Expedition 2 appeared at the beginning of the telecast via satellite to introduce host Martin.[32] Throughout the broadcast, the orchestra conducted by film composer Bill Conti performed a remixed version of "Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)" composed by Brazilian jazz musician Eumir Deodato.[33] Furthermore, 2001 author Arthur C. Clarke presented the Best Adapted Screenplay award from his home in Sri Lanka.[34][35]

Several others participated in the production of the ceremony. Production designer Roy Christopher designed a new stage for the show which featured gigantic louvered cove that curved from the stage floor to the ceiling via the auditorium's backstage wall. Many media outlets described the set design resembling a cross section of a space capsule.[36] In addition, four stainless steel arcs each carved with a silhouette of the Oscar statuette were flanked at the front and back of the stage allowing presenters and winners to pass through them.[36] Dancer Debbie Allen choreographed the performances of the Best Original Song nominees.[37] Musicians Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman performed excerpts from the five nominees for Best Original Score.[38][39]

Box office performance of nominees[edit]

Before the nominees were announced on February 13, the combined gross of the five Best Picture nominees was $471 million with an average of $94 million per film.[40] Gladiator was the highest earner among the Best Picture nominees with $186.6 million in domestic box office receipts. The film was followed by Erin Brockovich ($125.5 million), Traffic ($71.2 million), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon ($60.7 million) and finally, Chocolat ($27 million).[40]

Of the top 50 grossing movies of the year, 49 nominations went to 15 films on the list. Only Cast Away (3rd), Gladiator (4th), Erin Brockovich (12th), Traffic (31st), and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (41st) directing, acting, screenwriting, or Best Picture.[41] The other top 50 box office hits that earned nominations were Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1st), The Perfect Storm (5th), Meet the Parents (7th), The Patriot (17th), Space Cowboys (23rd), The Emperor's New Groove (25th), U-571 (26th), Hollow Man (30th), 102 Dalmatians (38th), and The Cell (40th).[41]

This was the last time the highest-grossing film of the year worldwide (Mission: Impossible 2) had no Oscar nominations until the 87th Academy Awards in 2014, when Transformers: Age of Extinction didn't receive any Oscar nominations.[citation needed]

Critical reviews[edit]

The show received a positive reception from most media outlets. Television critic Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "As host, Martin was typically dapper and comfortably low-key, pacing himself throughout the evening." He also added, "The Oscars seemed as bouncy and well oiled as Russell Crowe's 'do—a '50s Gene Vincent-style quiff that made for a cool rock & roll segue into Dylan's Best Song performance."[42] USA Today critic Robert Bianco gave an average review of the telecast but commended the host stating, "Martin was a droll delight — as amusing as Oscar star Billy Crystal, but in an entirely different way. Where Crystal was all hard work and good humor, the more deadpan and deceptively proper Martin let his nastier jokes sneak up on you."[43] Tom Shales from The Washington Post commented Martin was "the best Oscar host since Johnny Carson." In addition, he quipped that "The show was almost too dignified for its own good, yet it remained exciting and entertaining even at its loftier and more pretentious moments."[44]

Some media outlets were more critical of the show. Barry Garron of The Hollywood Reporter commented, "Here was veteran producer Gil Cates presiding over one of the few Academy Award presentations that ended on time and still managed to be too long." Additionally, he quipped "If nothing else, tonight's show proved that, despite the many Awards most viewers have no interest in, the show can be done in three and a half hours."[45] The Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Steve Murray remarked, "It wasn't just that Martin lacked the impish, insider energy of Billy Crystal – or even Whoopi Goldberg's hypnotically awful self-satisfaction. No, the 73rd annual Academy Awards still seemed to go on forever, even though it was one of the shortest in years."[46] Television critic John Carman of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote, "Even with a rookie host, Steve Martin, the Academy Awards show was long on decorum and disappointingly short on verve."[47]

Ratings and reception[edit]

The American telecast on ABC drew in an average of 42.9 million people over its length, which was a 7% decrease from the previous year's ceremony.[48][49] An estimated 72.2 million total viewers watched all or part of the awards.[49] The show also earned lower Nielsen ratings compared to the previous ceremony with 26.2% of households watching over a 40 share.[50] In addition, it garnered a lower 18–49 demo rating with a 17.8 rating among viewers in that demographic.[50]

In July 2001, the ceremony presentation received eight nominations at the 53rd Primetime Emmys.[51] Two months later, the ceremony won one of those nominations for Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Variety Or Music Series Or Special (Edward J. Greene, Tom Vicari, Bob Douglass).[52]

In Memoriam[edit]

The annual In Memoriam tribute, presented by actor John Travolta, honored the following people.[53]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

A^ : The two previous directors to have done so are: Frank Lloyd and Michael Curtiz[15]
B^ : Z and Life Is Beautiful were the two previous films to have accomplished this feat.[16]

References[edit]

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  2. ^ "Oscar Watch: Moran, Connelly, Moret to 'Countdown'". Variety. March 13, 2001. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  3. ^ Snow, Shauna (December 13, 2000). "Morning Report". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 17, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  4. ^ "Oscar Watch: Horvitz to direct 2001 kudocast". Variety. January 8, 2001. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  5. ^ Gallo, Phil (March 25, 2001). "Review: 'The 73rd annual Academy Awards'". Variety. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  6. ^ Rick, Kissell (March 26, 2001). "ABC Oscarcast Proves No Ratings Gladiator". Variety. Archived from the original on June 4, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  7. ^ "73rd Annual Academy Awards". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
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  9. ^ "Oscar Watch: 'Betty's' Zellweger to present Sci-Tech kudos". Variety. February 27, 2001. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  10. ^ Rickey, Carrie. "Oscar triumphs for Roberts, 'Gladiator' The Roman epic and its star, Russell Crowe, both won awards. Julia Roberts took best-actress honors, for "Erin Brockovich."". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. A1.
  11. ^ "Academy announces Oscar nominations". CNN (Time Warner). February 13, 2001. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  12. ^ Kaltenbach, Chris (February 14, 2001). "It's Soderbergh vs. Soderbergh". The Baltimore Sun. Timothy E. Ryan. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  13. ^ "Oscar spreads wealth". Tampa Bay Times. Times Publishing Company. p. 1A.
  14. ^ Bona 2002, p. 374
  15. ^ a b Bona 2002, p. 351
  16. ^ a b "Gladiator Leads with 12 Oscar Nods". ABC News (The Walt Disney Company). February 13, 2001. Archived from the original on May 31, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  17. ^ Bona 2002, p. 407
  18. ^ Hayes, Dade (March 25, 2001). "'Tiger' earns Oscar stripes". Variety. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  19. ^ Crouse 2005, p. 54
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  22. ^ Feiwell, Jill (January 18, 2001). "Acad to Honor Cardiff". Variety. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  23. ^ Feiwell, Jill (January 23, 2001). "De Laurentiis kudos". Variety. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  24. ^ Bona 2002, p. 361
  25. ^ "Crystal clear: He's not up for Oscars". Variety. December 6, 2000. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  26. ^ Armstrong, Mark (December 18, 2000). "Oscar Gets Martinized!". E! (NBCUniversal). Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
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  28. ^ Bona 2002, p. 343
  29. ^ Feiwell, Jill (December 17, 2000). "The Oscar Gig Goes to..." Variety. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  30. ^ "Steve Martin To Host Academy Awards". Chicago Tribune. Tony W. Hunter. December 19, 2000. Archived from the original on April 15, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  31. ^ Goddard, Peter (March 25, 2001). "The show's other Best Director ; Louis J. Horvitz is the helmer behind the scenes". Toronto Star. p. 10.
  32. ^ Jacobs, Bob (March 26, 2001). "Oscars Go Global with International Introduction from Space". National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  33. ^ Bona 2002, p. 366
  34. ^ Bona 2002, p. 373
  35. ^ Pond 2005, p. 280
  36. ^ a b Wethington, Jessica (February 28, 2001). "Christopher's sets set his work apart". Variety. Archived from the original on June 16, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  37. ^ Cruz, Clarissa (March 7, 2001). "Puh-leeze, Academy". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 21, 2009. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  38. ^ Bona 2002, p. 370
  39. ^ Pond 2005, p. 276
  40. ^ a b "2000 Academy Award Nominations and Winner for Best Picture". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on May 9, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  41. ^ a b "2000 Domestic Grosses". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on July 5, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
  42. ^ Tucker, Ken (April 6, 2000). "Act 2 of the Oscars: The Show". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  43. ^ Bianco, Robert (March 26, 2001). "Martin's drollery keeps fast-moving Oscars on track". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 5, 2015. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  44. ^ Shales, Tom (March 27, 2001). "With Our Favorite Martin, Our Oscars Are a Class". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 5, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  45. ^ Bona 2002, p. 382
  46. ^ Murray, Steve (March 26, 2001). "They came, we saw, we conked out 'Gladiator,' 'Tiger,' 'Traffic' shared honors in snoozer of a show". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. C1.
  47. ^ Carman, John (March 26, 2001). "Quick But Dull / Disappointing lack of gaffes, tears during shorter show". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
  48. ^ Carter, Bill (March 27, 2001). "ABC Strikes Gold With the Oscars". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  49. ^ a b Lowry, Brian (March 27, 2001). "Awards Show's Ratings Slip, Early Figures Show". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
  50. ^ a b "Academy Awards ratings" (PDF). Television Bureau of Advertising. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 15, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
  51. ^ "Primetime Emmy Award database". Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS). Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  52. ^ Braxton, Greg (November 5, 2001). "The Winners in Creative Arts Fields". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  53. ^ Bona 2002, p. 371

Bibliography[edit]

External links[edit]

Official websites

News resources

Analysis