BRITAIN: The expected two-horse race for awards at this year's BAFTA ceremony - Britain's "Oscars" - did not materialise last night when Chicago and Gangs of New York failed to dominate the star-studded event in Leicester Square.
The big-budget Hollywood blockbusters, which had picked up 12 nominations apiece, had been widely tipped for glory but picked up only three awards between them. Instead, it was the turn of the smaller budget productions, with accolades for Stephen Daldry's The Hours, Roman Polanski's The Pianist and Pedro Almodovar's Talk to Her.
Nicole Kidman's performance as the dowdy, long-nosed Virginia Woolf in The Hours triumphed over Renee Zellweger's high-kicking performance in Chicago, in the best actress category. The Australian paid tribute to co-stars Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep, who had also been nominated, and said the BAFTA would be split between them.
Polanski romped home ahead of Chicago and Gangs of New York in the coveted categories of best film and best director. Gangs of New York was also beaten in the best original screenplay category, which was taken by Almodovar, who went on to win the award for film not in the English language.
The sole award for Martin Scorsese's violent epic about 19th century New York was taken by British actor Daniel Day-Lewis, who won best actor. Chicago, meanwhile, was saved by Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, who won best supporting actress.
2003 BAFTA Awards: Winners
Academy fellowship: Saul Zaentz. Outstanding British contribution to cinema: David Tomblin and Michael Stevenson. Best Film: The Pianist - Roman Polanski/Robert Benmussa/Alain Sarde. British film of the year: The Warrior - Bertrand Faivre/Asif Kapadia. Special achievement by a British director, screenwriter or producer in their first feature film: Asif Kapadia (director/co-writer) - The Warrior. Best director: The Pianist - Roman Polanski. Screenplay (original): Talk to Her (Hable con Ella) - Pedro Almodóvar. Screenplay (adapted): Adaptation - Charlie Kaufman/Donald Kaufman. Best actress: Nicole Kidman - The Hours. Best actor: Daniel Day-Lewis - Gangs of New York. Best supporting actress: Catherine Zeta Jones - Chicago.