The Lord of the Rings was the winner of the evening at these years Baftas, winning a total of five awards, including best film and best director, for Peter Jackson. Other successful films at London's Leicester Square were Baz Lurhmann's Moulin Rouge with three awards and A Beautiful Mind, Gosford Park and the French film Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain all won two awards.

On the other hand the British film Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone can be called loser of the evening. Despite being nominated in eight categories, the film received not one award. If that was not already enough, they saw their major competitor The Lord of the Rings walking away with the Orange Audience Award, the only one voted by the public. The other two awards they picked up were in technical categories (best visual effects and best make up and hair).

Although they had some competition, Judi Dench and Russel Crowe won the best actress and actor award for their breathtaking performances in Iris and A Beautiful Mind respectively. New Zealand-born Russell Crowe (who lost last year with Gladiator) saw off Kevin Spacey (The Shipping News) and Ian McKellen (Lord of the Rings), while Judi Dench left Nicole Kidman (who was nominated for her leading role in The Others) and Sissy Spacek (In the Bedroom) empty-handed to win her eight Bafta award. Dench and Crowe are both nominated for the same roles for the Academy Awards.

Another very prestigious award at the Baftas is the Alexander Korda award for best British film. The winner in this category was Gosford Park, beating Iris and Harry Potter. It was also awarded for best costume design.

British actor Jim Broadbent picked up the best supporting actor's prize for his role in Moulin Rouge and A Beatiful Mind Star Jennifer Connelly won the award for best supporting actress.

Best foreign language film was Amores Perros and not Amélie Poulain, as everyone suspected. Nevertheless the French film was compensated with wins in the categories of best original screenplay and best production design.

Lord of the Rings was the winner of the Baftas

 

The winners

Best film: Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Carl Foreman Award: Joel Hopkins/Nicola Usborne for Jump Tomorrow

David Lean Award for achievement in direction: Peter Jackson, Lord of the Rings

Best original screenplay: Amélie Poulain

Best adapted screenplay: Shrek

Best actress: Judi Dench, Iris

Best actor: Russell Crowe, A Beautiful Mind

Best supporting actress: Jennifer Connelly, A Beautiful Mind

Best supporting actor: Jim Broadbent, Moulin Rouge

Best music: Moulin Rouge

Best foreign language film: Amores Perros

Best cinematography: The Man Who Wasn't There

Best production design: Amélie Poulain

Best costume design: Gosford Park

Best editing: Mulholland Drive

Best sound: Moulin Rouge

Best special effects: Lord of the Rings

Best make up/hair: Lord of the Rings

Best short film: About a Girl

Best short animation: Dog

Orange Film of the Year: Lord of the Rings

Alexander Korda Award for outstanding British film of the year: Gosford Park