Baftas: The Artist wins big as Meryl Streep wins best actress

Some of the biggest stars in Hollywood were out in force on the red carpet with The Artist and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy going head-to-head.

George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Penelope Cruz and Meryl Streep were all at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden for one of the most star-studded ceremonies in recent years.

As predicted, Streep, looking resplendent in a Vivienne Westwood design, walked away with the prize for best actress for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.

The Artist, set in the golden age of Hollywood, was the biggest winner on the night. Although the film has no words, it secured seven awards from its 12 nominations. Among them, Jean Dujardin won the Best Actor and Michel Hazanavicius took best director.

Dujardin, who plays a silent screen icon eclipsed by the talkies, said the film’s appeal lay in its accessibility. Dujardin, who plays a silent screen icon eclipsed by the talkies, said the The Artist’s appeal lay in its accessibility.

“It’s a simple story,” he said. “It’s a love story. It’s universal. And there’s a cute dog”

The actor, who was previously little known appeared overwhelmed after winning best actor “I feel like a kid”, he said. “I’m a lucky man tonight.”

Accepting the award for best screenplay, Hazanavicius said: “I am very suprised, because most people thought there was no script because there was no dialogue. So the British people are very clever.”

Introduced by Stephen Fry, with a opening performance of Thunderball from Tom Jones, the evening had a strong British contingent – with Kenneth Branagh, Dame Judi Dench and Tilda Swinton among the nominees.

Scottish director Lynne Ramsay was nominated for Best Director for We Need to Talk About Kevin – the harrowing tale of a teenage serial killer.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, was nominated for 11 awards but won only two – Outstanding British Film and Best Adapted Screenplay. Martin Scorsese, who had nominations in the best director and best documentary categories was the recipient of a Bafta fellowship in recognition of his lifetime of acheivement in movies.

John Hurt was also recognised for his Outstanding British Contribution to Film. And Christopher Plummer, at aged 82, became the oldest ever actor to receive a Bafta, winning Best Supporting Actor for his part in Beginners.

Senna, the documentary about racing driver Ayrton Senna, picked up the award for Best Documentary. Director Asif Kapadia said it had been an “amazing journey”.

George Clooney, nominated for Best Actor and an award for Best Screenplay, said the presence of so much British and American movie royalty showed the increasing importance of the Baftas.

The star said: “The Baftas have become much bigger over the last ten years or so. It makes a difference – especially with some of the smaller films like Lynne Ramsay’s We Need To Talk About Kevin. If they get nominations for films like that then people get to keep making films like that.”

Among the red carpet correspondents covering the gossip and fashion of the event was Miss Piggy of the Muppets, in a dress especially designed for the occasion. Tilda Swinton chose to wear white, with a simple long shift by Celine. Christina Hendricks of Mad Men also dazzled in a Westood design.

Michelle Williams, nominated for Best Actress for her portrayal as Marilyn Monroe surprised fashion bloggers by choosing a simple black and white gown by high street shop H&M.

Viola Davis, who plays a maid facing discrimination in The Help, was one of a number of stars promoting eco-friendly fashions on the red carpet.

She wore a pink eco-friendly Valentino dress made out of recycled plastic soda bottles.