Los Angeles: 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' has swept 11 Oscars by winning in all the categories it was nominated including best motion picture and best director to Peter Jackson.

"I'm so honoured and relieved that the academy and the members of the academy that have supported us have seen past the trolls and the wizards and the hobbits in recognizing fantasy this year,'' said Jackson, obscure New Zealander known for an art-house film (Heavenly Creatures).

The other Oscars went out predictably. Sean Penn took the best actor prize as a vengeful father in 'Mystic River' and South African-born Charlize Theron won for best actress as serial killer in 'Monster'.

Oscars for supporting performances went to Tim Robbins as a man emotionally hamstrung by childhood trauma in 'Mystic River'' and Renee Zellweger as a hardy confederate survivor in 'Cold Mountain'.