Britain:Royalty triumphed at the British film awards yesterday, with The Queenclinching best film and Helen Mirren best actress for her portrayal of the monarch, while The Last King of Scotlandscooped three awards.
In contrast, the latest James Bond movie failed to shake or stir, picking up just one of the nine BAFTA nominations it received - winning the sound quality category.
The other main victor of the night was Pan's Labyrinth, a fantasy set just after the end of the Spanish civil war which also picked up three awards.
Mirren beat Judi Dench, nominated for her role in the school sex drama Notes on a Scandal, Penelope Cruz in Volver, Meryl Streep in the fashion comedy The Devil Wears Pradaand Kate Winslet in Little Children.
The 61-year-old's portrayal of a confused monarch at the time of Princess Diana's death in 1997 also helped The Queenscoop best film ahead of Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's Babel, The Departedby Martin Scorsese, The Last King of Scotlandand low-budget beauty pageant comedy Little Miss Sunshine. The Last King of Scotlandalso clinched best British film and the adapted screenplay awards.
- (Reuters)