The 1968 best movie Oscar represents a pivotal moment in cinematic history, marking the 40th Academy Awards ceremony held on April 14, 1968. This year’s ceremony honored films released in 1967, a period of immense creative ferment in Hollywood. The ceremony took place at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, and while it lacked the glitz of modern spectacles, it remains significant for recognizing a film that would come to be regarded as a classic.
Oliver! Sweeps the Major Categories
The dominant winner of the night was the musical drama Oliver! , which secured seven Academy Awards, including the top honor of Best Picture. Directed by Carol Reed and based on the stage musical by Lionel Bart, which was itself an adaptation of Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist," the film captivated the academy with its lavish production design and powerful performances. Its victory signaled a recognition of the musical film as a serious artistic medium, capable of tackling dark Victorian subject matter on a grand scale.
Key Winners and Performances
Beyond Best Picture, Oliver! ’s wins included Best Director for Carol Reed, Best Actor for Ron Moody, and two crucial supporting awards. The film’s success was built on meticulous craftsmanship, from the elaborate set pieces to the unforgettable musical numbers like "Food, Glorious Food." The victory cemented the film’s place in popular culture, ensuring its longevity far beyond its initial release.
Best Actor: Ron Moody ( Oliver! )
Best Actress: Katharine Hepburn ( Guess Who's Coming to Dinner )
Best Supporting Actor: Jack Albertson ( Charly )
Best Supporting Actress: Ruth Gordon ( Rosemary's Baby )
Landmark Films Recognized in the Nominations
The nominations list for the 1968 Oscars featured several landmark films that have endured in the cinematic canon. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner received a then-record-breaking 10 nominations, reflecting its cultural significance in addressing interracial marriage. Starring Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, and Sidney Poitier, the film was a major studio statement on social progress, though it ultimately won only the awards for which it was most expected: Hepburn for Best Actress and Gordon for Best Supporting Actress.
Other notable nominees included the psychological thriller Rosemary's Baby and the groundbreaking drama Charly . Charly , starring Cliff Robertson in an transformative performance as a mentally disabled man who undergoes an experimental surgery to increase his intelligence, earned Robertson the Academy Award for Best Actor. His win is particularly memorable for the authenticity he brought to the role, completely altering his appearance for the part.
The Case of "Planet of the Apes"
A curious footnote from the 1968 ceremony is the special Academy Award granted to Planet of the Apes . While the film did not win in any of the competitive categories, it received a special award honoring its groundbreaking makeup effects. This recognition was a significant moment for the fledgling special effects industry, validating the artistic and technical potential of prosthetic and animatronic makeup. The film, with its iconic imagery and dystopian narrative, has since achieved classic status, largely due to such innovative craft elements.
The 1968 awards also highlighted the emerging power of New Hollywood, though films like Bonnie and Clyde (1967) had already pushed boundaries in the preceding years. The ceremony reflected a transition period where traditional studio musicals like Oliver! could coexist with the gritty realism and social commentary that was beginning to define the era’s best cinema.
