As we reach the final stretch in the run-up to the EE British Academy Film Awards 2015, we finish our countdown of 100 moments in BAFTA’s history.
Here we pick up where we left off counting down 20-1 days to go until the awards…
20 days to go
Emma Thompson wins the leading actress award in 1993
In 1993, Emma Thompson received the Leading Actress award for her performance in Howards End (1992). It was Thompson’s second BAFTA, after she won her first for Fortunes of War/Tutti Fruitti in 1988.
On discussing the importance of the film in her acceptance speech, Thompson stated:
“You can in fact count on the fingers of one leg the number of films which present heroines as central to the action.”
Watch her speech in full below:
19 days to go
Lord Attenborough Receives the BAFTA Fellowship in 1983
One of the most important figures in the history of BAFTA, the late, great Lord Attenborough received the BAFTA Fellowship in 1983. In his speech, he made witty remarks about his brother David receiving the Fellowship before he did, spoke about an American who thought he was good at handling gorillas, and discussed his love of the British film and television industries.
Find out more about the significance of Attenborough to BAFTA, and watch his acceptance speech in full below:
18 days to go
Julie Walters and Tom Hanks backstage in 2001
In 2001, Julie Walters received her second BAFTA for her performance in Billy Elliot (2000). She won her first in 1984 for Educating Rita (1983), which featured earlier in our countdown.
After her acceptance speech, Walters was interviewed backstage with Tom Hanks, with hilarious consequences!
17 days to go
Heath Ledger accepts the Adapted Screenplay award in 2006
In 2006, the late, great Heath Ledger accepted the Adapted Screenplay award for Brokeback Mountain (2005), on behalf of Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana.
The Australian actor gained prominence in films including 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), The Patriot (2000) and A Knight’s Tale (2001). In 2006, he received his first BAFTA nomination for his extraordinary performance in Brokeback Mountain. He continued to delight audiences in Casanova (2005) and Candy (2006).
Ledger tragically died in 2008. The following year, he would receive a posthumous BAFTA for his outstanding role as The Joker in The Dark Knight (2008).
16 days to go
Sean Connery’s Emotional Reaction to Receiving the BAFTA Fellowship
In 1998, Sean Connery received the BAFTA Fellowship. In his career so far, Connery has been nominated for four BAFTAs, winning the Leading Actor award in 1988 for his performance in The Name of the Rose (1986).
Accepting the award from Billy Connelly, a visibly emotional Connery holds back the tears as he accepts the award. Watch his speech in full below:
15 days to go
14 Year Old Jodie Foster wins the Supporting Actress Award in 1977
In 1976, Jodie Foster starred in Taxi Driver and Bugsy Malone. Not only did she win the Most Promising Newcomer award, but she also received the Supporting Actress award for both of her performances.
When Foster won the Leading Actress award for Silence of the Lambs in 1992, she spoke fondly of her experience winning her first awards 15 years previously.
Watch a 14 year old Foster collecting her award:
14 days to go
Juliette Binoche wins her First BAFTA in 1997
In 1997, Juliette Binoche won the Supporting Actress award for her performance in The English Patient (1996). The other nominees included Lauren Bacall, Lynn Redgrave and Marianne Jean-Baptiste.
After Gary Oldman presents her with the award, an emotional Binoche exclaims “I thought England didn’t like me, and I’m so moved!” Watch her acceptance speech in full below:
13 days to go
Ang Lee wins the Director award in 2001
In 2001, Ang Lee won the Director award for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000). It was the second BAFTA he received after Sense and Sensibility (1995) won the Best Film award in 1996.
What makes this moment particularly special is Kate Winslet’s delightful reaction to Lee winning the award. Jumping for joy, she embraces Lee on the podium, which he admits surprises him considering the “hard time” he says to have given her on Sense and Sensibility.
In his career so far, Lee has been nominated for 11 BAFTAs, winning five times including a BAFTA Children’s award for Life of Pi (2012). You can find out more about Lee’s career by watching highlights from his A Life in Pictures.
Watch Lee collect his award in 2021:
12 days to go
Al Pacino and Ellen Burstyn receive the Leading Actor and Actress Awards in 1976
In 1976, Al Pacino and Ellen Burstyn won the Leading Actor and Actress award respectively. Pacino received his for both The Godfather Part II (1974) and Dog Day Afternoon (1975), while Burstyn won her award for Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974).
After Michael Caine announces Pacino’s name, the camera cuts to New York, where Sean Connery is shown giving them both their awards (Burstyn’s was announced earlier in the evening). Watch it in full below:
11 days to go
Dame Judi Dench wins the Leading Actress Award in 1998
In 1998, Dame Judi Dench received the Leading Actress for her performance in Mrs Brown (1997). The other nominees included Helena Bonham Carter, Kathy Burke and Kim Basinger.
In her career, Dench has received 14 BAFTA nominations for her film work, the most by any actor. This is third time Dench has appeared in the countdown; once for her shocked reaction to Skyfall winning, and another for her award in 1989.
Mrs Brown was an Ecosse Films production for BBC Films. This year, BBC Films will receive the Outstanding Contribution to British Film award, find out more.
10 days to go
14 Year Old Jamie Bell wins Leading Actor in 2001
In 2001, Jamie Bell won the Leading Actor award for Billy Elliot (2000). The other nominees included Russell Crowe, Michael Douglas, Tom Hanks and Geoffrey Rush.
In his hilarious acceptance speech, Bell acknowledges all his fellow nominees, saying “Russell Crowe said that I had to thank him!”
Bell has gone on the star in a number of successful films, including King Kong (2005), The Adventures of Tintin (2011) and Nymphomaniac (2013), and will next be seen in The Fantastic Four (2015).
Billy Elliot was a BBC Films production. This year, BBC Films will receive the Outstanding Contribution to British Film award, find out more.
9 days to go
Audrey Hepburn receives the Special Award in 1992
An enormously beloved film star, the late great Audrey Hepburn received the Special Award in 1992. In her beautiful speech, she praises all the talented people she has worked with, and her pride to have spent a career in film.
“It’s still hard for me to believe that I’ve been part of that magic called cinema.”
In her career, Hepburn received five BAFTA nominations, winning British Actress three times. She has featured in this countdown several times, including her attendance in 1955, at the ceremony with Peter O’Toole in 1965 and smiling with Lord Attenborough the same year.
British Vogue have been celebrating Audrey Hepburn’s Special Award, find out more.
Watch Hepburn’s 1992 acceptance speech below:
8 days to go
Ginger Rogers receives a standing ovation in 1986
In 1986, Ginger Rogers attended the Film Awards to announce the winner of the Best FIlm, which was awarded to The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985). When her name was announced the audience cheered, and as this iconic figure in cinema’s history approached the stage she received a standing ovation!
“Thank you my sweet and friendly England!”
Watch this lovely moment in full below:
7 days to go
Louis Malle questions British cuisine in 1975
Is this one of the greatest BAFTA acceptance speeches? When Louis Malle’s Lacombe Lucien (1974) won the Best Film award in 1975, he took the opportunity to discuss his dinner rather than the film.
Informed by “about 265 people” that the food was going to be terrible, Malle went on to defend his “very good meal!”
“About 265 people told me…it would be the worst meal of my life.”
Watch his speech below:
6 days to go
Laurence Olivier receives the BAFTA Fellowship
In 1976, Laurence Olivier received the BAFTA Fellowship. What makes his acceptance speech unique is he gave it while on the set of Jesus of Nazareth (1977). Olivier is seen dressed in full costume, with choral music playing in the background!
As well as his Fellowship, Olivier was nominated for 10 BAFTAs, winning twice. Watch his acceptance speech in full below:
5 days to go
Sir Alfred Hitchcock receives the First BAFTA Fellowship
As we today announced Mike Leigh as the latest BAFTA Fellow recipient, it seems only right to celebrate Alfred Hitchcock, who received the Fellowhip at the first SFTA ceremony in 1971!
Presented by Lord Attenborough, Hitchcock made his way to the stage before delivering a comical speech in his trademark, dry style.
4 days to go
Jack Nicholson’s acceptance speech on the set of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Is this the best satellite link-up acceptance speech in BAFTA’s history? Unable to attend the ceremony in 1975, Jack Nicholson’s acceptance speech for winning the Leading Actor award was shot while he was on the set of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest! Featuring Louise Fletcher, Danny DeVito and many other of the cast members, Nicholson smashes the glass before making his speech.
The Guardian have been celebrating Jack Nicholson’s acceptance speech, find out more.
3 days to go
Audrey Hepburn presents Michael Caine with the Leading Actor Award (and it was tied)
In one of the rarest instances in BAFTA’s history, the Leading Actor award of 1984 was tied between Michael Caine and Dustin Hoffman. Caine won for his performance in Educating Rita (1983), while Hoffman won for his dual role in Tootsie (1982).
Announcing the winners, Audrey Hepburn proclaimed:
“And the winner is…and the winners are!”
Watch it in full below:
2 days to go
Meryl Streep loses her shoe while collecting her award
It’s one of the most memorable moments in recent BAFTA history: after receiving the second BAFTA of her career for her performance in The Iron Lady (2011), Meryl Streep walked onto the stage, only to lose her shoe! However help was at hand, as Colin Firth became her Prince Charming to make sure she delivered her acceptance speech with both shoes on.
In Streep’s career, she has been nominated for 14 BAFTAs, winning twice.
1 day to go
Steven Spielberg Receives the BAFTA Fellowship in 1986
As we reach the final moment of our 100 day countdown to the EE British Academy Film Awards, we dedicate it to Steven Spielberg receiving his BAFTA Fellowship.
Spielberg was only 39 when he got the accolade, and would go on to direct classics such as Jurassic Park (1993), Schindler’s List (1993) and Saving Private Ryan (1998). Yet such was the esteem he was held in even then that it was entirely appropriate that the filmmaker behind Jaws (1975), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) would be honoured by BAFTA in this way.
