Winner's acceptance speech by Mel Brooks in the BAFTA Fellowship category
MEL BROOKS: I think BAFTA has made good choices tonight, especially me. But I want to tell you, to choose an American, mighty nice of you, mighty nice.
I want to thank Harvey Weinstein for having nothing to do with this award tonight. Thanks for butting out!
I want to apologise to the Duke and Duchess and Prince Philip for the American revolution. We were young. Seriously, let me confide a little truth that occurred less than 48 hours ago. I went to the airport. They asked for my passport. I forgot it. Really! And it wasn't because of old age, you know, because I personally can tell you, I've seen Stephen Fry make three appearances before this show began. I know.
And if I have any reward for tonight, I would love to meet the girl in the blue dress that came down from the ceiling. I'm still alive, yes!
But seriously, folks, having an American here is very moving, and getting this is a special honour, having been given to people like Hitchcock and Olivier, Pressburger and Powell, and champions and idols of my life, is a singular and august honour, and I am very grateful. This is one of the awards that you will not see on eBay - I promise you. eBay has all the others, but not this one. Not this one.
Anyway, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. It's been wonderful to be here. Thank you. Oh, by the way. The reason - oh by the way, just a thought. The reason I forgot my passport is because I don't think of England - seriously - I don't think of this place as a foreign country. I just think of it as a vast Brooklyn that just speaks better.
That's all.
