The critically acclaimed Brokeback Mountain galloped into the sunset with the maximum number of awards at the 78th Annual Academy Awards last night.

The controversial gay western rode high with the coveted Best Director honour for Ang Lee and two other awards for Adapted Screenplay and Original Score. However its lead actor Heath Ledger and two supporting actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Michelle Williams went home empty handed.

Ledger lost out on the acting honour to Philip Seymour Hoffman for his portrayal of gay writer in Capote, while Gyllenhaal was sidelined by George Clooney for Syriana.

Michelle Williams was denied by Rachel Weisz for The Constant Gardener. But a surprise of sorts was Brokeback’s loss in the Best Film category to Crash.

Reese Witherspoon’s turn as June Carter in the biopic Walk The Line elevated her over the other heavily favoured nominee Felicity Huffman who was up for TransAmerica in the Best Actress category.

Another major winner at the event was Memoirs of A Geisha which grabbed three statuettes, Art Direction, Costume Design and Cinematography.

Seymour Hoffman won best actor for his performance in Capote, while Reese Witherspoon won the actress award for Walk the Line.

British star Thandie Newton claimed the BAFTA for best supporting actress for her role in the low-budget racial drama Crash.  Speaking after receiving her supporting actress award, Newton said: "This is the highest high ever. I don't expect it to get any higher."