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1973 ceremony · films of 1972

The 45th Oscars

100 nominations in 21 categories.

Nominations and wins

The night's big films

  1. The Godfather poster3 of 11
  2. Cabaret poster8 of 10
  3. The Poseidon Adventure poster1 of 8
  4. 0 of 5
  5. 1 of 4
  6. Sleuth poster0 of 4
Winners first

Every category

Best Picture

Best Director

Best Actor

Announced as Actor

Best Actress

Announced as Actress

Best Supporting Actor

Best Supporting Actress

Best Original Screenplay

Announced as Writing (Story and Screenplay--Based On Factual Material or Material Not Previously Published or Produced)

Best Adapted Screenplay

Announced as Writing (Screenplay--Based On Material From Another Medium)

Best International Feature

Announced as Foreign Language Film

Best Documentary Feature

Best Cinematography

Best Film Editing

Best Production Design

Best Costume Design

Best Original Score

Announced as Music (Original Dramatic Score)
  • Limelight poster
  • Sleuth poster

    NOTE: The Godfather score, composed by Nino Rota, was originally announced as one of the five official nominees. It was later pointed out that portions of the score and the main theme were composed by Rota for his score to the 1958 Italian film, Fortunella. The Music Branch was given this information and re-balloted to determine the fifth nomination. The list of six films they were to choose from were the remaining five of the top ten preliminary listings, plus The Godfather score. The results of the re-balloting was that the fifth nomination became Sleuth, composed by John Addison.

  • The Godfather poster

    NOTE: THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL NOMINATION. The Godfather score, composed by Nino Rota, was originally announced as one of the five official nominees. It was later pointed out that portions of the score and the main theme were composed by Rota for his score to the 1958 Italian film, Fortunella. The Music Branch was given this information and re-balloted to determine the fifth nomination. The list of six films they were to choose from were the remaining five of the top ten preliminary listings, plus The Godfather score. The results of the re-balloting was that the fifth nomination became Sleuth, composed by John Addison.

  • The Poseidon Adventure poster

Best Song Score or Adaptation Score

Announced as Music (Scoring: Adaptation and Original Song Score)

Best Original Song

Announced as Music (Song--Original for the Picture)

Best Sound

Announced as Sound

Best Documentary Short

Best Animated Short

Announced as Short Subject (Animated)

Best Live Action Short

Announced as Short Subject (Live Action)
Not competitive

Honorary and special awards

Honorary Award

  • Charles S. Boren

    To Charles S. Boren, Leader for 38 years of the industry's enlightened labor relations and architect of its policy of non-discrimination. With the respect and affection of all who work in films.

  • Edward G. Robinson

    NOTE: The Academy's Board of Governors voted to confer this award on January 6, 1973. Mr. Robinson passed away on January 26th, and the award was accepted on his behalf by his wife.

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award

  • Rosalind Russell

Special Achievement Award (Visual Effects)

The 45th Academy Awards (1973) | Cinemuse