`Gladiator` garners five Oscars

``Gladiator`` and ``Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon`` fought a neck-and-neck battle for the Best Picture Oscar at the 73rd Academy Awards, but director Ridley Scott`s sword-and-toga epic finally emerged as the winner.

In the contest for best director, Steven Soderbergh picked up the prize in competition with four rivals, including himself, for his multitextured drug epic ``Traffic.`` Soderbergh had two chances to win as he also was nominated for ``Erin Brockovich.``

``Gladiator,`` nominated in 12 categories, won five Oscars, including best picture, best actor and the awards for special effects, sound and costume design. Russell Crowe was voted best actor for his portrayal of Maximus, a general who becomes a top Roman gladiator.

Nominated in 12 categories, Ang Lee`s martial-arts fantasy ``Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon`` won four awards: for best foreign language film as well as for Peter Pau`s cinematography, Tan Dun`s musical score and Tim Yip`s art direction.

Julia Roberts won the Oscar for best actress for her role as ``Erin Brockovich,`` the spunky legal secretary who took on a polluting utility company.

Kim Hee-Kyeong susanna@donga.com