The Aviatorswooped to land the Best Picture prize at last night's BAFTA awards but the Hollywood blockbuster had to share the limelight with Vera Drake, a low-budget British drama about a backstreet abortionist.
Leonardo DiCaprio, who played billionaire playboy and inventor Howard Hughes, flew into London with Martin Scorsese, director of The Aviator, for British cinema's big night of the year. The critically acclaimed film landed the Best Film BAFTA and Cate Blanchett was picked as Best Supporting Actress for her role as Katharine Hepburn.
But DiCaprio failed to land the coveted Best Actor award - that went to Jamie Foxx for his portrayal of singer Ray Charles in Ray.
Mike Leigh was named Best Director for Vera Drakeand hot favourite Imelda Staunton landed the Best Actress award for her part in the title role.
The other major award - Best Supporting Actor - went to British actor Clive Owen for his intense portrayal in Closerwhich has already garnered him a Golden Globe as well as an Oscar nomination.
Owen said: "This is very special because I've spent most of my career here. Closerstarted here and the film was shot here and I live here."
After his surprise defeat of the legendary Scorsese to be named Best Director, Mike Leigh said: "Given the other names, it's a real surprise and an extraordinary honour."
The BAFTAs were moved in 2001 from April to February to fall between the Golden Globes and the Oscars and seek to steal some Hollywood limelight as the cinema awards season reaches its climax. But with a penchant for offbeat and quirky small-budget movies, the BAFTAs have not always been the most accurate guide to Oscar glory when it came to the big winners.