Now out of the transitional silent film to sound picture phase, the movie industry all seemed to be on the same page by the third Awards. This third year saw a huge change in the voting process. Instead of a select panel of judges choosing winners, the Academy voted for both nominations and victors. This year also had a number of firsts. It was the first time a film won for both Best Picture and Best Director, something that is a rare occurrence when it does not happen. The director who won, Lewis Milestone, became the first person to win a second Oscar. He won for Best Director (Comedy) in the first Awards for his silent film Two Arabian Knights (1927). Also, the first woman to win a non-acting award was Frances Marion, who penned a great screenplay for The Big House (1930), a Best Picture nominee to boot. This movie also won the first new category in the Academy's history, Best Sound. And the results are:
Best Picture nominees:
All Quiet on the Western Front
The Big House
Disraeli
The Divorcee
The Love Parade
What won: All Quiet on the Western Front
The second war drama to win this award, this set the precedent for many years to come. Many war dramas would go on to win the big one. Also, the Best Picture and Best Director combination is notable. With World War I only a little over a decade in the past, this serious piece was a powerhouse. The direction was superb as was the structure of each scene. The peaceful message of why is there war? is presented in so many ingenious ways throughout the entire movie. It is easy to see why this won.
What should have won: All Quiet on the Western Front
In my last culminating post, I inferred that I might not agree with the Academy often, but I have to agree again. This movie is a true epic in many ways. It is epic in length, in emotion, and in historical significance. The gruesome battle scenes and the portrayal of the sub-par conditions that soldiers had to go through is heavy stuff and has stayed with me days after watching it. Not only that, but this is from the not-so-typical perspective of German soldiers, not from an American point of view. Although my favorite movie from these nominees is The Divorcee (1930), the award went to the right film.
My Best Picture nominee rankings:
1. The Divorcee (7/10)
2. All Quiet on the Western Front (7/10)
3. The Big House (7/10)
4. The Love Parade (6/10)
5. Disraeli (6/10)
Best Picture nominees:
All Quiet on the Western Front
The Big House
Disraeli
The Divorcee
The Love Parade
What won: All Quiet on the Western Front
The second war drama to win this award, this set the precedent for many years to come. Many war dramas would go on to win the big one. Also, the Best Picture and Best Director combination is notable. With World War I only a little over a decade in the past, this serious piece was a powerhouse. The direction was superb as was the structure of each scene. The peaceful message of why is there war? is presented in so many ingenious ways throughout the entire movie. It is easy to see why this won.
What should have won: All Quiet on the Western Front
In my last culminating post, I inferred that I might not agree with the Academy often, but I have to agree again. This movie is a true epic in many ways. It is epic in length, in emotion, and in historical significance. The gruesome battle scenes and the portrayal of the sub-par conditions that soldiers had to go through is heavy stuff and has stayed with me days after watching it. Not only that, but this is from the not-so-typical perspective of German soldiers, not from an American point of view. Although my favorite movie from these nominees is The Divorcee (1930), the award went to the right film.
My Best Picture nominee rankings:
1. The Divorcee (7/10)
2. All Quiet on the Western Front (7/10)
3. The Big House (7/10)
4. The Love Parade (6/10)
5. Disraeli (6/10)