For the vast majority of Academy history, the 1927 war epic 'Wings' was the only silent film to ever win the Oscar for Best Picture. It won at the very first ceremony in 1929. The film was noted for its realistic aerial combat sequences, which were filmed using real planes and pilots, a feat that remains impressive even by modern standards. However, 'Wings' lost its 'only' status in 2012 when the French film 'The Artist' became the second silent film (and the first non-American film of that style) to take home the top prize. 'The Artist' was a black-and-white homage to the Golden Age of Hollywood, and its win was seen as a bold artistic statement in an era dominated by high-tech digital blockbusters. Despite the 83-year gap between them, both films represent the Academy's occasional desire to return to the pure visual storytelling roots of the medium.