LOS ANGELES, California  — The brutal  historical drama '12 Years a Slave' won best picture at the 86th annual Academy Awards Sunday night.

Steve McQueen’s slavery odyssey, based on Solomon Northup’s 1853 memoir, out did best picture nominees Gravity, Captain Phillips, Philomena,  The Wolf of Wall Street, Her, and the The Dallas Buyers Club.

McQueen (pictured), the first Black director to win the Oscar for best picture, dedicated the honor to those who suffered slavery and “the 21 million who still endure slavery today.”

“Everyone deserves not just to survive, but to live,” said McQueen.

And Lupita Nyong'o (pictured), 31, also Black, won the Oscar for best supporting actress for the film, which was produced by actor Brad Pitt.

Nyong'o of African descent said during her acceptance speech that the opportunity to act in the movie as a role model for young Black women and the accompanying Oscar represent "the joy of my life."

John Ridley, also Black, captured the Oscar for best adapted screenplay in "12 Years a Slave."

Mathhew McConaughey won for best actor for 'Dallas Buyer Club,' for his portrayal of a Texas cowboy struggling with AIDS, beating a host of nominees including Chiwetel Ejiofor, the nominee for best actor for "12 Years a Slave." Jared Leto took home the best supporting actor award for his role in "The Dallas Buyers Club."

Actress Cate Blanchett won the best actress Oscar for Blue Jasmine and Alfonso Cuaron walked off with the best director Oscar for the film "Gravity."

Dallas Buyers Club won a trio of awards and Gravity garnered seven Oscars.

2014 OSCAR WINNERS

Best Picture: "12 Years a Slave."

Actor: Matthew McConaughey, "Dallas Buyers Club."

Actress: Cate Blanchett, "Blue Jasmine."

Supporting Actor: Jared Leto, "Dallas Buyers Club."

Supporting Actress: Lupita Nyong'o, "12 Years a Slave."

Directing: Alfonso Cuaron, "Gravity."

Foreign Language Film: "The Great Beauty," Italy.

Adapted Screenplay: John Ridley, "12 Years a Slave."

Original Screenplay: Spike Jonze, "Her."

Animated Feature Film: "Frozen."

Production Design: "The Great Gatsby."

Cinematography: "Gravity."

Sound Mixing: "Gravity."

Sound Editing: "Gravity."

Original Score: "Gravity," Steven Price.

Original Song: "Let It Go" from "Frozen."

Costume: "The Great Gatsby."

Makeup and Hairstyling: "Dallas Buyers Club."

Animated Short Film: "Mr. Hublot."

Documentary Feature: "20 Feet from Stardom."

Documentary (short subject): "The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life."

Film Editing: "Gravity."

Live Action Short Film: "Helium."

Visual Effects: "Gravity."

(www.clevelandurbannews.com) / (www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com)