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Oscars 1981: Winners and Nominees of the 53rd Academy Awards

Public list by WPS with 48 movies or TV shows/series

These movies have won or been nominated for the Oscars 1981 on 03/31/1981.

The 53rd Academy Awards ceremony, organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored films released in 1980 and took place on March 31, 1981, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles beginning at 7:00 p.m. PST / 10:00 p.m. EST. The ceremony was scheduled to take place originally on the previous day but was postponed due to the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan. During the ceremony, AMPAS presented Academy Awards (commonly referred to as Oscars) in 20 categories. The ceremony, televised in the United States by ABC, was produced by Norman Jewison and directed by Marty Pasetta. Comedian and talk show host Johnny Carson hosted the show for the third consecutive time. Two weeks earlier, in a ceremony held at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, on March 15, the Academy Scientific and Technical Awards were presented by hosts Ed Asner and Fay Kanin. Ordinary People won four awards, including Best Picture. Other winners included Tess with three awards, The Empire Strikes Back, Fame, Melvin and Howard, and Raging Bull with two, and Coal Miner's Daughter, The Dollar Bottom, The Fly, From Mao to Mozart: Isaac Stern in China, Karl Hess: Toward Liberty, and Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears with one. The telecast garnered 39.9 million vie... ()

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48 movies found (page 1/2):

The Empire Strikes Back(1980)

FSK: 12+ years
| 2h 4min | Adventure, Action, Science Fiction
4.2/5 (with 7,765 votes)

The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker, in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda. But Darth Vader is more determined than ever to capture Luke. Meanwhile, rebel leader Princess Leia, cocky Han Solo, Chewbacca, and droids C-3PO and R2-D2 are thrown into various stages of capture, betrayal and despair.

The Elephant Man(1980)

FSK: 12+ years
| 2h 4min | Drama, History
4.0/5 (with 1,490 votes)

A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man being mistreated by his "owner" as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of great intelligence and sensitivity. Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick (called John Merrick in the film), a severely deformed man in 19th century London.

The Blue Lagoon(1980)

FSK: 12+ years
| 1h 44min | Romance / Love, Adventure
3.1/5 (with 805 votes)

Two small children and a ship's cook survive a shipwreck and find safety on an idyllic tropical island. Soon, however, the cook dies and the young boy and girl are left on their own. Days become years and Emmeline and Richard make a home for themselves surrounded by exotic creatures and nature's beauty. But will they ever see civilization again?

Raging Bull(1980)

FSK: 16+ years
| 2h 9min | Drama, History
4.0/5 (with 1,896 votes)

The life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it.

Kagemusha(1980)

3.9/5 (with 269 votes)

Akira Kurosawa's lauded feudal epic presents the tale of a petty thief who is recruited to impersonate Shingen, an aging warlord, in order to avoid attacks by competing clans. When Shingen dies, his generals reluctantly agree to have the impostor take over as the powerful ruler. He soon begins to appreciate life as Shingen, but his commitment to the role is tested when he must lead his troops into battle against the forces of a rival warlord.

Somewhere in Time(1980)

FSK: 16+ years
| 1h 43min | Drama, Fantasy, Romance / Love
3.8/5 (with 232 votes)

Young writer Richard Collier is met on the opening night of his first play by an old lady who begs him to "Come back to me". Mystified, he tries to find out about her, and learns that she is a famous stage actress from the early 1900s. Becoming more and more obsessed with her, by self-hypnosis he manages to travel back in time—where he meets her.

Gloria(1980)

2h 3min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
3.4/5 (with 98 votes)

When a young boy's family is killed by the mob, their tough neighbor Gloria becomes his reluctant guardian. In possession of a book that the gangsters want, the pair go on the run in New York.

Tess(1979)

FSK: 12+ years
| 2h 51min | Drama, Romance / Love
3.5/5 (with 143 votes)

A strong-willed peasant girl is sent by her father to the estate of some local aristocrats to capitalize on a rumor that their families are from the same line, but is left traumatised from her experiences.

Breaker Morant(1980)

1h 47min | Drama, History, War
3.6/5 (with 57 votes)

During the Boer War, three Australian lieutenants are on trial for shooting Boer prisoners. Though they acted under orders, they are being used as scapegoats by the General Staff, who hopes to distance themselves from the irregular practices of the war. The trial does not progress as smoothly as expected by the General Staff, as the defence puts up a strong fight in the courtroom.

Nine to Five(1980)

FSK: 12+ years
| 1h 50min | Comedy
3.5/5 (with 207 votes)

Frank Hart is a pig. He takes advantage in the grossest manner of the women who work with him. When his three assistants manage to trap him in his own house they assume control of his department and productivity leaps, but just how long can they keep Hart tied up?

The Last Metro(1980)

FSK: 12+ years
| 2h 11min | Drama, Romance / Love, War
3.6/5 (with 203 votes)

In occupied Paris, an actress married to a Jewish theater owner must keep him hidden from the Nazis while doing both of their jobs.

Fame(1980)

FSK: 12+ years
| 2h 14min | Drama, Music
3.3/5 (with 189 votes)

A chronicle of the lives of several teenagers who attend a New York high school for students gifted in the performing arts.

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Altered States(1980)

FSK: 16+ years
| 1h 42min | Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller
3.4/5 (with 268 votes)

A research scientist explores the boundaries and frontiers of consciousness. Using sensory deprivation and hallucinogenic mixtures from native American shamans, he explores these altered states of consciousness and finds that memory, time, and perhaps reality itself are states of mind.

Ordinary People(1980)

FSK: 12+ years
| 2h 4min | Drama
3.7/5 (with 266 votes)

Beth, Calvin, and their son Conrad are living in the aftermath of the death of the other son. Conrad is overcome by grief and misplaced guilt to the extent of a suicide attempt. He is in therapy. Beth had always preferred his brother and is having difficulty being supportive to Conrad. Calvin is trapped between the two trying to hold the family together.

Coal Miner's Daughter(1980)

FSK: 12+ years
| 2h 5min | Music, Drama
3.7/5 (with 103 votes)

Biography of Loretta Lynn, a country and western singer that came from poverty to fame.

Private Benjamin(1980)

FSK: 16+ years
| 1h 49min | Comedy
3.0/5 (with 162 votes)

A sheltered young high society woman joins the army on a whim and finds herself in a more difficult situation than she ever expected.

Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears(1980)

3.9/5 (with 96 votes)

This is a life story of three girlfriends from youth to autumn ages. Their dreams and wishes, love, disillusions...

Brubaker(1980)

FSK: 12+ years
| 2h 5min | Crime, Drama
3.5/5 (with 201 votes)

The new warden of a small prison farm in Arkansas tries to clean it up of corruption after initially posing as an inmate.

The Stunt Man(1980)

FSK: 16+ years
| 2h 11min | Action, Comedy, Drama, Thriller
3.4/5 (with 57 votes)

A fugitive stumbles onto a movie set just when they need a new stunt man, takes the job as a way to hide out and falls for the leading lady while facing off with his manipulative director.

My Brilliant Career(1979)

1h 40min | Drama, Romance / Love
3.1/5 (with 25 votes)

A young woman who is determined to maintain her independence finds herself at odds with her family who wants her to tame her wild side and get married.

When Time Ran Out...(1980)

2.8/5 (with 27 votes)

An active volcano threatens a south Pacific island resort and its guests as a power struggle ensues between the property's developer and a drilling foreman.

The Formula(1980)

1h 57min | Thriller, Mystery
2.8/5 (with 18 votes)

While investigating the death of a friend and fellow cop, Los Angeles police officer Barney Caine stumbles across evidence that Nazis created a synthetic alternative to gasoline during World War II. This revelation has the potential to end the established global oil industry, making the formula a very valuable and dangerous piece of information. Eventually, Caine must contend with oil tycoon Adam Steiffel, who clearly has his own agenda regarding the formula.

My American Uncle(1980)

3.5/5 (with 74 votes)

Prof. Henri Laborit uses the stories of the lives of three people to discuss behaviorist theories of survival, combat, rewards and punishment, and anxiety. René is a technical manager at a textile factory and must face the anxiety caused by corporate downsizing. Janine is a self-educated actress/stylist who learns that the wife of her lover is dying and must decide to let them reunite. Jean is a controversial career-climbing writer/politician at a crossroads in life.

Melvin and Howard(1980)

FSK: 12+ years
| 1h 35min | Comedy, Drama
3.2/5 (with 26 votes)

The story of hard-luck Melvin Dummar, who claimed to have received a will naming him an heir to the fortune of Howard Hughes.

The Great Santini(1979)

1h 55min | Drama
3.5/5 (with 24 votes)

As he approaches manhood, Ben Meechum struggles to win the approval of his demanding alpha male father, an aggressively competitive, but frustrated marine pilot.

Resurrection(1980)

1h 43min | Drama, Fantasy
3.3/5 (with 16 votes)

The story of a woman who survives the car accident which kills her husband, but discovers that she has the power to heal other people. She becomes an unwitting celebrity, the hope of those in desperate need of healing, and a lightning rod for religious beliefs and skeptics.

The Competition(1980)

3.2/5 (with 8 votes)

The movie centers on a piano competition whose winner is assured of success. It is Paul's last chance to compete, but newcomer Heidi may be a better pianist. Can romance be far away? Will she take a dive despite the pressure to win from her teacher, Greta, or will she condemn Paul to obscurity?

Honeysuckle Rose(1980)

3.0/5 (with 8 votes)

Buck Bonham is a country singer on the road caught in a romantic triangle with Dyan Cannon and Amy Irving, the daughter of one of his longtime musical sidekick.

Inside Moves(1980)

1h 53min | Drama
3.6/5 (with 9 votes)

After a failed suicide attempt leaves him partially crippled, Rory begins spending a lot of time at a neighborhood bar full of interesting misfits. When Jerry the bartender suddenly finds himself playing basketball for the Golden State Warriors, Rory and the rest of the bar regulars hope his success will provide a lift to their sagging spirits. Will Jerry forget his friends? What about his junkie hooker girlfriend and her pimp?

Directed by Richard Donner - With John Savage, David Morse, Diana Scarwid, Amy Wright, Tony Burton, Clifford Ray, ...

The Day After Trinity(1981)

1h 28min | Documentary
3.8/5 (with 4 votes)

The Day After Trinity (a.k.a. The Day After Trinity: J. Robert Oppenheimer and the Atomic Bomb) is a 1980 documentary film directed and produced by Jon H. Else in association with KTEH public television in San Jose, California. The film tells the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904–1967), the theoretical physicist who led the effort to build the first atomic bomb, tested in July 1945 at Trinity site in New Mexico. Featuring candid interviews with several Manhattan Project scientists, as well as newly declassified archival footage, The Day After Trinity was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature of 1980, and received a Peabody Award in 1981.

Directed by Jon H. Else - With Hans Bethe, Robert Serber, Robert R. Wilson, Frank Oppenheimer, Isidor Isaac Rabi, Freeman Dyson, ...
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