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LONDON - Royalty triumphed at the British film awards today, with The Queen clinching best film and Helen Mirren best actress for her portrayal of the monarch, while The Last King of Scotland scooped 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.
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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.
All eyes were on Mirren, a favourite to pick up the leading role at this month's Oscars, as she graced the red carpet outside the Royal Opera House in London's theatre-packed West End, dressed in a flowing champagne gown.
She 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 Prada and 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 Queen scoop best film ahead of Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's Babel, The Departed by Martin Scorsese, The Last King of Scotland and low-budget beauty pageant comedy Little Miss Sunshine.
It was definitely a night for kings as well as queens as Forest Whitaker won best actor for playing the late Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland.
He beat off competition from Daniel Craig, the controversial but ultimately successful choice to replace Pierce Brosnan as superspy James Bond in Casino Royale.
Other nominees were Leonardo DiCaprio in The Departed, Richard Griffiths in The History Boys and Peter O'Toole in Venus.
The Last King of Scotland also clinched best British film and the adapted screenplay awards.
"It has been a brilliant year for film and for British film in particular," BAFTA film committee chairman David Parfitt said.
"As is so often the case with our 6000 voting members they have spread their votes widely resulting in films of all nationalities being honoured," he said in a statement.
The Spanish-language Pan's Labyrinth scooped best non-English language movie as well as best costume design and make-up and hair.
The race to be best director was won by Paul Greengrass for his fact-based Sept. 11 drama "United 93". He beat Stephen Frears, who directed The Queen as well as Martin Scorsese (The Departed).
Best Supporting Actor went to Alan Arkin (Little Miss Sunshine), and Best Supporting Actress was won by Jennifer Hudson for her role in Dreamgirls.
In 2001, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts' annual awards were moved to before the Oscars, helping them to attract Hollywood stars hoping to generate last-minute buzz.
But the BAFTAs, with a bias towards British films, have only a patchy record of predicting who will pick up Academy Awards.
- REUTERS
