Even by the Academy Awards’ standards, this has been a run-up marked by laughable missteps (RIP “popular” Oscar), judgment gaffes and scandal (Kevin Hart?!) as The Hollywood Reporter takes a forensic dive into how things went so far off the rails in a season dominated by political issues.

It's considered by many the greatest upset in Academy Awards history, a heist in which rom-com 'Shakespeare in Love' shocked war drama 'Saving Private Ryan.' Now, 20 years later (with Weinstein awaiting trial), the key players open up about the oddest, most brilliant and, yes, dirtiest campaign ever staged.