Oscars ceremony goes without a hitch

This year's Oscars ceremony went smoothly, and had a number of highlights.

The ceremony lasted under than three and a half hours, compared to last year's five-hour marathon.

Steve Martin was a witty host, although some of his jokes failed to win the audience over.

Among the highlights of the evening were:

Russell Crowe's stony face at Steve Martin jokes about his love life.

Marcia Gay Harden unexpectedly winning Best Supporting Actress.

Dustin Hoffman forgetting to hand over Jack Cardiff's honourary award. Cardiff said: "You can't take him anywhere".

Tom Hanks looking shame-faced after Steve Martin revealed he was behind the plot to kidnap Russell Crowe.

Goldie Hawn fluffing her lines while introducing the Best Original Score award. "You know, you'd think when you grow up you'd at least learn how to read," she said.

Bjork's dress - a white knee-length feathery dress made to look like a swan with the head wrapped around her neck.

Kevin Spacey thanking Judi Dench for bringing him his tuxedo after he left it behind in Nova Scotia: "She is without doubt the classiest delivery service I ever had," he said.

Julia Roberts being helped onto the stage by her boyfriend Benjamin Bratt after getting into a tangle with her dress.