"My grandfather's name was Stan Wemyss*. He was a cinematographer in the Second World War. My uncle David William Crowe, he died last year at the age of 66.
I'd like to thank the Academy for something which is pretty surprising and dedicate it to two men who still continue to inspire me.



I'd also like to thank my Mum and Dad, who I just don't thank enough I suppose.

And an incredible cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Djimon Hounsou, Ralf Moeller, Spencer Treat Clark, the magnificent Richard Harris, the late Oliver Reed, Tomas Arana, Tommy Flanagan, Derek Jacobi and everybody else.

DreamWorks -- a great company and a vital and adrenalized contributor to the art form.
To Doug Wick, David Franzoni, Bruno Lustig and Terry Needham and a very brave crew collected from 22 different countries around the world.

To the people that work for me, who work with me, my personal cavalry -- George Freeman, Alan Hergott, Larry Witzer, Shirley Pearce, Robin Baum, Mark Dumbrell.

But really folks, you know, I owe this to one bloke and his name is Ridley Scott.

You know, when you grow up in the suburbs of Sydney or Auckland, or Newcastle like Ridley or Jamie Bell. Or the suburbs of anywhere, you know a dream like this seems kind of vaguely ludicrous and completely unobtainable. But this moment is directly connected to those childhood imaginings. And for anybody who's on the downside of advantage and relying purely on courage... it's possible.

Thanks very much."
^{*The medal Russell is wearing is his late grandfather's MBE (Member of the British Empire) which was awarded to him by the Queen of England for his work as a photographer during World War II.}