Oscar voters endorsed a nostalgic look back to the early days of the movie business on Sunday night, showering "The Artist" with five awards including Best Picture.
After starting slow and lagging behind "Hugo," the black-and-white silent film came roaring back at the 84th Academy Awards, winning a Best Director Oscar for Michel Hazanavicius and a Best Actor statue for Jean Dujardin in addition to the night's top prize.
Also read: Oscars 2012: The Winners (Slideshow)
Its main rival "Hugo," which like "The Artist" was deeply steeped in film history, also won five awards. But the 3D film was shut out of the major categories and instead had to settle for statues for cinematography, art direction, and other technical achievements.
It was an evening that was short on surprises and long on veteran talent. Screen legends Meryl Streep and Christopher Plummer picked up statues for their work, while Billy Crystal returned to host his ninth Academy Awards telecast.
Despite the fondness for the tried and true, the largely unknown Dujardin held off challenges from Hollywood stars such as George Clooney ("The Descendants") and Brad Pitt ("Moneyball") to win the honor for his performance as a silent film star struggling with the advent of sound.
Also read: Oscars 2012: Sacha Baron Cohen's 'Dictator' Spills Ashes on Ryan Seacrest
"I love your country," the French-born Dujardin said. He went on to thank silent film star Douglas Fairbanks, saying the actor's joie de vivre inspired his performance.
Perhaps the evening's sole unexpected winner was Streep, who many had predicted would be left sitting in the audience while Viola Davis accepted an award for her work in "The Help."
However, the shape-shifting actress picked up her first Academy Award in nearly three decades on Sunday for her performance as doggedly determined British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady.”
Also read: Oscar Analysis: Here's How 'The Artist' Charmed Its Way to Victory
"This is such a great honor but the thing that counts the most to me is the love and the joy...we have shared making movies together," Streep said.
It was her third Oscar, having previously received awards for "Kramer vs. Kramer" (1979) and "Sophie's Choice" (1982).
"The Artist" director Hazanavicius thanked the film's cast, including its canine star Uggie.
He also paid tribute to the film itself, saying, "It's life is full of grace and it brings to us joy and happiness."
"Beginners" star Plummer captured a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance as a gay man coming out of the closet late in life.
The 82-year old Plummer became the oldest person ever to win an acting Oscar.
“When I first emerged from my mother’s womb I was already rehearsing my Oscar acceptance speech, but it was so long ago...mercifully
