EWAN STRIKES BACK AT EMPIRES
February6, 2002

Actor's joy after Golden Globe failure

EWAN McGregor made up for the disappointment of missing out on a Golden Globe when he picked up his fourth Empire Award last night.

McGregor, soon to be seen reprising the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, lifted his latest Best British Actor gong for his all-singing, all-dancing performance in the spectacular Moulin Rouge.

Kate Winslet also collected her fourth Empire Award when she was voted Best British Actress for her role in wartime drama Enigma.

No single film emerged as runaway winner at the top movie magazine's seventh annual awards ceremony, with front-runners Moulin Rouge and The Lord of the Rings grabbing three apiece.

Moulin Rouge's other successes came as Nicole Kidman won Best Actress, and Aussie Baz Luhrmann lifted the Best Director award.

However, the biggest award of the night, Best Film, went to The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

It was collected on Kiwi director Peter Jackson's behalf by Sir Ian McKellen, who plays Gandalf, Orlando Bloom, who stars as Legolas, and Scots actor Billy Boyd, who plays hobbit Pippin.

Bloom also won the Best Debut award, while Elijah Wood was named Best Actor for his portrayal of Frodo.

Bridget Jones's Diary was named best British movie, while Spanish director Alejandro Amenabar received the first Independent Spirit Award for chilling thriller The Others.

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to 79-year-old Christopher Lee, who has more than 200 movie and TV credits to his name, dating back to 1948.

His roles include Dracula, Fu Manchu, Bond Villain Scaramanga and, most recently, corrupted wizard Saruman in The Lord of the Rings. He also appears in Star Wars Episode II.

The Empire awards are the only major prizes voted for by moviegoers.

As well as a host of British talent, the glittering ceremony at London's Dorchester Hotel, hosted by comic Phil Jupitus, also attracted a number of Hollywood big guns.

These included Ali director, Michael Mann, who received the Inspiration Award.

Source: Daily Record