Winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards has been sought after by many a movie since the ceremony’s inception nearly 100 years ago. Receiving any of the awards is an enormous honor, though it does seem that a few awards are a bit more coveted than others. There is even a term for them: The Big Five—Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay (Original or Adapted).There have been many Best Picture winnersby now, but only three movies in the Academy’s history have won every category of The Big Five. Interestingly, none has come from an original screenplay, so there can still be a first in such a prestige club as this.
There aresome movies that almost won the Big Five, which is one heck of an achievement in itself, but winning all five has proven near impossible. One might think that many cinematic giants that were immediately loved (likeThe GodfatherorAmadeus) would be here, but most haven’t been able to pull it off, which makes the three that did all the more special. What does it take to join such Hollywood royalty? One might reasonably ask, “Are these movies better thanThe GodfatherandAmadeus?” Not necessarily, but they do demonstrate that it takes a lot more than luck.The following three masterpieces are often cited among the most influential works of all timeand encompass entirely different genres. Their differences make them pretty difficult to rank, so they’re ordered here based on how difficult it was for each to win its five-jeweled crown.
3’It Happened One Night' (1934)
Directed by Frank Capra
Directed by the master craftsmanFrank Capra,It Happened One Nightwon The Big Five in a pretty strange year for the Academy. Although there were 12 nominees for Best Picture (more than even now), most other categories had only 3 nominations. There was an extra nominee for Best Actress, the mightyBette Davis, due to a brief period that allowed voters to write in their choice on the ballet, but that still only led to four total. These oddities make a little more sense when you consider that this was only the 7th ceremony ever.
Clark Gabledoes such iconic work as newspaperman Peter Warne that even Bugs Bunny (yes,theBugs Bunny) would be inspired by how he casually eats a raw carrot.Claudette Colbertlikewise does terrific work as the socialite Ellie Andrews, who tries to go from Florida to New York without being stopped by her father. ScreenwriterRobert Riskinwon for his witty and optimistic adaptation of the short story “Night Bus” by Samuel Hopkins Adams. With only a few moments that haven’t aged so well (despite being over 90 years old), this beautifully shot film is still one ofthe greatest romantic comedies of all time.
It Happened One Night
2’The Silence of the Lambs' (1991)
Directed by Jonathan Demme
Directed byJonathan Demme,The Silence of the Lambsisthe only horror movie to win Best Picture. That alone is a monumental achievement, one that’s even more impressive when you consider there were only five nominees at the 64th Academy Awards. However, it was even less likely for an animated movie to win (Beauty and the Beast, the only animated movie to receive a nomination in the original five-nominee category). WriterTed Tallybased his screenplay on the novel byThomas Harrisand deservedly won an Oscar for it. Demme had to beat a few big names for Best Director, mainlyOliver StoneforJFKandRidley ScottforThelma & Louise, but he definitely earned his award, too.
Sir Anthony Hopkinswon his first of two Oscars that night for his unforgettable turn as Dr. Hannibal Lecter, which probably surprised no one. Celebrated hostBilly Crystalevenpaid homage to the characterby getting rolled onto the stage with the iconic mask.Jodie Fosterhad stiff competition (including both leads ofThelma & Louise), but her performance was strong enough to rightfully take home the trophy. Along with its enduring impact on the film industry and astounding rewatchability to this day,The Silence of the Lambsis one ofthe most important Best Picture winnersever. Itlegitimized the horror genreand proved that a film released in February could maintain momentum for over a year.
1’One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest' (1975)
Directed by Milos Forman
Directed byMilos Forman,One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nestis easily amongthe best movies turning 50 this year. In most other award seasons, its five big wins might not have been such a difficult feat to manage, but the New Hollywood made the ’70s one of America’s strongest decades in cinema. The other movies nominated for Best Picture at the 48th Academy Awards were legends, too:Stanley Kubrick’s beautifulBarry Lyndon,Sidney Lumet’s singularDog Day Afternoon,Steven Spielberg’sJaws, andRobert Altman’sNashville. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to call this collection of moviesthe single greatest Best Picture lineup of the ‘70sand one of the ten best of all time; that’s how strong each of these movies is individually.
Could the competition be any scarier? Yes, for Best Director: take the Best Picture nominees, but replace newcomer Spielberg withFederico Fellini. Luckily, co-writersLawrence HaubenandBo Goldmanhad slightly less to worry about for Best Adapted Screenplay.Jack Nicholsonturned in the defining performance of his career to beat the likes ofAl PacinoandWalter Matthau, whileLouise Fletcher’s stone-cold depiction of Nurse Ratched is the most remembered role in her category. It’s amazing that any movie in the ’70s could win The Big Five, butCuckoo’s Neststill proves itself worthy of the honor every time you see it.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
NEXT:‘The 10 Most Disturbing Best Picture Oscar Winners, Ranked’
