All Eyes On the Prize ; After 55 Years, the Baftas Now Rival the Oscars As the Film World's Most Prestigious Awards and They Never Fail to Throw Up a Few Surprises

Summary

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After winning both the best director and best film award at the 1994 British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards (Baftas) for Schindler's List, Steven Spielberg told the audience, 'This is like a cigarette after really good lovemaking. And I don't even smoke.' That the world's most important and influential filmmaker should be so proud of his Baftas is an indication of just how far Britain's premier film awards have come in their 55-year history.

Unlike other awards ceremonies, including the Oscars, the Baftas have steered clear of tacky production numbers, celebrity skits and bottom-numbing running times, and have remained defiantly British in character. Outfits are elegant as opposed to outlandish. The underdog often triumphs over the hot favourite, and acceptance speeches are witty rather than overemotional.

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All Eyes On the Prize ; After 55 Years, the Baftas Now Rival the Oscars As the Film World's Most Prestigious Awards and They Never Fail to Throw Up a Few Surprises

'This is just a bit of flag-waving,' said Hugh Grant, after pipping John Travolta to best actor in 1995 for his part in Four Weddings and a Funeral.

'Had Pulp Fiction been set in the heart of the Sussex countryside, I'm sure it would have been a very different story.' But if all this makes the ...

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