HOLLYWOOD (AFP) – Historical drama "The King's Speech" was crowned with the best film Oscar on Sunday, at the climax of the movie industry's 83rd Academy Awards show.

The movie, which tells the story of how King George VI overcame a stammer helped by an Australian voicecoach, had been the frontrunner after taking a string of prizes in the run-up to the Oscars.

Colin Firth won the best actor Oscar for his portrayal of George VI.

Firth, who had been frontrunner for the prize, thanked his fellow actors and filmmakers -- and joked that he had an impulse to dance, after winning the top prize at the Oscars, the climax of Hollywood's awards season.

"I have a feeling my career's just peaked," he said in a self-deprecating style which he has honed at numerous ceremony triumphs over the last two months, including the Golden Globes and Britain's BAFTAs.

"I'm afraid I have to warn you that I'm experiencing stirrings, somewhere in the upper abdominals, what are threatening to form themselves into dance moves, which -- joyous as they may be for me, it would be extremely problematic if they make it to my legs before I get off stage," he added, to laughter.

After thanking everyone -- including his wife for "putting up with my fleeting delusions of royalty," he added: "Now, if you'll all excuse me, I have some impulses I have to tend to backstage."