Landslide alert! Even today, where I've confirmed 16 categories for the Critics Consensus Awards, a haul of five wins is impressive for a Best Picture winner. Yet way back in 1981, where I've confirmed only seven, the critics chose Warren Beatty's Reds across five categories, placing it in the top two across six. The two spare awards weren't even shared out either, with both going to Louis Malle's Atlantic City; it placed second in Best Picture, predictably. The year's Oscar winner, Chariots of Fire, managed only a fourth place Best Picture mention, and was otherwise nowhere near claiming any prizes for itself. This - a mere two winng movies - after 12 years of four, five or six winning over these seven CCA categories. Winning for Supporting Actor, Jack Nicholson becomes the first actor to win three awards; as things stand in 1981, this places Nicholson level with Ingmar Bergman for the most-honoured CCA winner yet. In fact, three of the acting winners are on at least their second win, with only Burt Lancaster enoying his first. All the details below!
Best Picture
Reds (Warren Beatty)
Best Director
Warren Beatty (Reds)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Diane Keaton (Reds)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Burt Lancaster (Atlantic City)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Maureen Stapleton (Reds)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Jack Nicholson (Reds)
Best Screenplay
John Guare (Atlantic City)
Image Credit: MovieStillsDB