The Best Worst Picture Winners from each Decade Picture category at the Oscars is one of the most prestigious awards in the film industry, honouring the greatest achievements in cinema each year. However, not all Best Picture winners have been universally acclaimed.
Over the years, there have been several winners that have sparked debate and controversy. From “The Broadway Melody” in the 1920s to “Nomadland” in the 2020s, each decade has seen its share of contentious Best Picture winners. Some of the most commonly cited “worst” Best Picture winners include “The Greatest Show on Earth” (1952), “Tom Jones” (1963), “The Life of Emile Zola” (1937), “Crash” (2005), and “How Green Was My Valley” (1941).
The Best Worst Picture Winners from each Decade.
1. The Broadway Melody (1929)
Director: Harry Beaumont
Cast: Bessie Love, Anita Page, Charles King
Plot: The film is a musical romance about two sisters trying to make it big in show business, but their personal relationships complicate their ambitions. It was the first talkie to win Best Picture and is considered an interesting historical artifact, showcasing early Hollywood musicals.
Trailer of Broadway Melody (1929)
2. How Green Was My Valley (1941)
Director: John Ford
Cast: Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O’Hara, Anna Lee
Plot: The movie is a family drama set in a Welsh mining town and follows the Morgan family as they navigate life amidst the challenges of the coal mining industry. It’s often cited as one of the most controversial Best Picture winners, especially given that it beat out “Citizen Kane” for the award.
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3. The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
Director: Cecil B. DeMille
Cast: Betty Hutton, Cornel Wilde, Charlton Heston
Plot: The film is a drama set in a circus world and follows the behind-the-scenes drama of the performers and crew. It’s often criticized for winning Best Picture over “High Noon” and “Singin’ in the Rain.”
4. Tom Jones (1963)
Director: Tony Richardson
Cast: Albert Finney, Susannah York, Hugh Griffith
Plot: The movie is a comedy that follows the adventures of a young man in 18th-century England. It’s often cited as a controversial winner, especially given that it beat out “America, America” and “Lilies of the Field” for the award. It is included in Best Worst Picture Winners from each Decade.
5. The Life of Emile Zola (1937)
Director: William Dieterle
Cast: Paul Muni, Gale Sondergaard, Joseph Schildkraut
Plot: The film is a biographical drama that follows the life of French writer Emile Zola. It’s often criticized for winning Best Picture over “The Awful Truth” and “A Star is Born.”
6. Crash (2005)
Director: Paul Haggis
Cast: Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon
Plot: The film is a drama that interweaves the stories of several characters from different racial and social backgrounds in Los Angeles. It’s often cited as a controversial winner, especially given that it beat out “Brokeback Mountain” for the award. It is included in Best Worst Picture Winners from each Decade.
Crash (2005) TRAILER
These Best Worst Picture Winners from each Decade movie have been the subject of much debate and controversy, with many critics and film enthusiasts expressing differing opinions on their merit as Best Picture winners.
While these films may have won Best Picture, they’re not necessarily the best of their respective decades. The Best Worst Picture Winners from each Decade. They’re heavy-handed, preachy, and melodramatic films and don’t hold up well today. However, they’re still worth watching for their historical significance and impact on the film industry.
