#32: Out of Africa, 58th Academy Awards, 1986

Categories: Winner of 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director

Best Picture nominees that lost at the 58th Academy Awards:

• The Color Purple
• Kiss of the Spider Woman
• Prizzi’s Honor
• Witness

Under the helm of Sydney Pollack, boasting Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, Out of Africa appeared destined for Oscar glory. Yet, it fell flat, criticized for its sluggish pace and lackluster portrayal of a white couple’s romance in Kenya.

Even now, pundits scratch their heads over its victory against Steven Spielberg’s powerful The Color Purple. If the Academy sought to honor Pollack, his comedic triumph with Tootsie seemed a more fitting choice. Out of Africa also faced backlash for overshadowing other deserving contenders like After Hours, Back to the Future, and Ran.