"Das Leben der Anderen" was one of the favourites for the award, along with the Mexican "Pan's Labyrinth".

However, the 33-year-old director of the German favourite, Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, appeared to be surprised when the announcement was made. He had expected the Mexican film to win, he said.

In January, Henckel von Donnersmarck was more self-assured. "The most beautiful thing about this Oscar is that one wins as a representative of one's country," he told reporters as the ceremony approached.

"If I won this, I would be like the Jürgen Klinsmann of the movies, only a Jürgen Klinsmann who made it to the final and who won," he added. As opposed to the German national football coach during last year's world cup, who became very popular but only brought his team into third place, Henckel von Donnersmarck actually won for Germany.

Enthusiastic reactions in the US press

The US critics gave the secret police film rave reviews. If there is a justice, the prize has to go to the German director, wrote the New Yorker magazine. In an intelligent, serious and touching way, the film tells how the secret service of the German Democratic Republic destroyed the private lives of its citizens, the magazine continued enthusiastically.

The German film's rival, the Mexican "Pan's Labyrinth" won in three other categories -- "make up", "art direction" and "cinematography".

The winner of the award for Best Actor in a leading role was Forest Whitaker (for "Last King of Scotland") and Best Actress went to Helen Mirren for her role as the British queen.