This has got to be the worst movie ever to win an oscar!

I can't believe no one even mentioned Gladiator. That movie's plot and writing were so awful that I physically cringed during much of the dialogue. In fact, I found it so dull that I fell asleep during it, at the movie theater... then went to see it again with a different friend, and fell asleep AGAIN during a different part. But see, that's the difference between the Academy and me (and many other people). I for one put the screenplay and direction as higher priorities in my judgements of movies than I do costumes, special effects, etc. The Academy tends to like (and yes, I realize there are exceptions) big productions that look really good. In fact, http://www.oscarworld.net/best_pic.htm describes Gladiator thus: "a rousing and visually exciting update of a genre once thought dead, and was the kind of epic spectacle that is tailor made for the Academy's tastes." There you go. Tailor made for the Academy, but not for me.

My point is that just because I don't like a film doesn't mean the Academy can't do whatever the hell it wants based on their own criteria... some people forget that. And as someone else above pointed out, who really cares who wins the Oscar anyway? Good movies are good movies.

That said, I did enjoy Tom Jones. I liked its unstuffy portrayal of the time period and its unconventional hero.

Not American are you??

Well if we are talking really poor movies that have won Oscars give me one from America that is ANY good please.
As for Tom Jones it is something of a masterpiece both in terms of plot and acting prowess...something the US actors struggle to get too...not that they are unable to act but the scripts they have to deal with are just...well plain poor. When you see Kirk Douglas in Paths of Glory you see a really great actor but when you see hin in the Vikings you immediately down rate him to the ham category. Sorry was it Forest Gump American Beauty and Saving Private thing (God knows why they bothered frankly) that won O's recently and yet you still call TJ as you do....PLEASE

What ??? Every man has his own opinion but this is a superb film as the review said.The camerawork, the acting, the comedy, the pacing are all excellent.A most enjoyable film.

Probably that, given the production standards in 1963, the faithfulness to the original book by Fielding, the quality of performances by Finney and the ensemble cast, the costumes which were more authentic and representative of that period more than any film up to that point, the period-appropriate score and general, enjoyable playfulness of it, that it was the best effort of that particular year.

I'm guessing.

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hahahaha. That's another one that I'll add to my academy brilliance list.

No, the worst movie ever to win an Oscar is,and will be for many years to come most likely, Forest Gump

I agree with the original poster. I just watched this movie this weekend because it was on my list of Oscar-winning movies. After watching it I thought "Why?".

"I am not trying to seduce you. Would you like me to seduce you?"