Oscars flashback 20 years ago to 2004: ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ ties all-time record

It’s been two decades since an epic fantasy film made history at the Oscars, winning every category in which it was nominated, and three women set new records. There weren’t many surprises at the 76th Academy Awards, but there were some memorable moments. Billy Crystal hosted for his eighth time on February 29, 2004. Read on for Gold Derby’s Oscars flashback 20 years ago to 2004.

It was finally Peter Jackson‘s time as the third installment of his “Lord of the Rings” trilogy earned him a trio of awards. Despite numerous nominations, the first two films failed to make big showings; however, “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” not only claimed Best Picture, but won all 11 categories in which it was nominated. It tied with “Ben-Hur” (1960) and “Titanic” (1998) for most wins in one ceremony, and holds the record for biggest sweep. It was the 10th film to win Best Picture despite no acting nominations. Two fellow Best Picture nominees were the only other films to win multiple awards, at just two each: “Mystic River” and “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.” Also nominated were “Lost in Translation,” which left with one award, and “Seabiscuit,” which failed to take home any of its seven trophies.

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Jackson went home with an armload of statues, winning for Best Picture, Director and Adapted Screenplay. He shared producing (with Barrie M. Osborne) and writing duties (with Philippa Boyens) with his partner Fran Walsh, who became the first woman to win three Oscars in one ceremony. In addition to Best Picture and Adapted Screenplay, Walsh shared Best Original Song for “Into the West” with Howard Shore (who also won Best Original Score) and Annie Lennox.

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With no acting nominations, “The Lord of the Rings” swept technical categories, including sound mixing, editing, makeup, visual effects and costume design. So thorough was their trouncing, that when Denise Robert took to the stage to accept Best Foreign Language film, she quipped, “We’re so thankful that ‘Lord of the Rings’ did not qualify in this category.” She and her husband Denys Arcand produced, and he directed, Canada’s only win in this category, “The Barbarian Invasions.”

“Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” came into the night with 11 nominations, just one shy of “LOTR,” and won the only two technical categories in which “Rings” was not recognized, cinematography and sound editing.

“Mystic River” became the fourth film to win both male acting trophies, with Sean Penn and Tim Robbins taking home Best Actor and Supporting Actor, respectively. Other nominees for Best Actor were Johnny Depp (“Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”), Ben Kingsley (“House of Sand and Fog”), Jude Law (“Cold Mountain”) and Bill Murray (“Lost in Translation), while Robbins’ competition in supporting included Alec Baldwin (“The Cooler”), Benicio del Toro (“21 Grams”), Djimon Hounsou (“In America”) and Ken Watanabe (“The Last Samurai”).

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“Mystic River” also garnered a Best Supporting Actress bid for Marcia Gay Harden, but Renee Zellweger had been racking up awards throughout the season for “Cold Mountain,” and she was victorious here as well. Rounding out that ballot were Shohreh Aghdashloo (“House of Sand and Fog”), Patricia Clarkson (“Pieces of April”) and Holly Hunter (“Thirteen”).

For Best Actress, Charlize Theron triumphed for her portrayal of real life serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Also nominated was 13-year-old Keisha Castle-Hughes (“Whale Rider”), who broke the 28-year record for youngest nominee in this category, which she held until nine-year-old Quvenzhane Wallis broke it in 2013 with her nomination for “Beasts of the Southern Wild.” Finishing out the ballot were Diane Keaton (“Something’s Gotta Give”), Samantha Morton (“In America”) and Naomi Watts (“21 Grams”).

Sofia Coppola became the first American woman, and just third overall, nominated for Best Director, for “Lost in Translation.” She also earned bids for Best Picture (with Ross Katz) and Best Original Screenplay. Her win in the latter made her a third-generation Oscar winner behind her father, Francis Ford Coppola, and grandfather, Carmine Coppola, making them the second, and to date last, family to accomplish this feat (behind the Hustons).

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