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Dames leading the British hopes for Oscar night glory
Last updated at 11:23am on 24.01.07
Dame Helen Mirren, top, Dame Judi Dench, middle and Kate Winslet above.
Three of Britain's leading ladies will battle it out for success at this year's Oscars after receiving nominations in the same category.
Dames Helen Mirren and Judi Dench and 31-year-old Kate Winslet have all been shortlisted for the best actress award, heading a remarkably strong British contingent.
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While the actresses dominate the category - accounting for three out of the five nominees -homegrown talent overall received an impressive ten major nominations yesterday.
Veteran actor Peter O'Toole, 74, picked up his eighth Oscar nomination - his first in 24 years - for his performance in the movie Venus as an ageing actor who falls for a young woman.
Three British directors are shortlisted: Stephen Frears for The Queen, Paul Greengrass for United 93, a harrowing depiction of the last hours aboard one of the doomed 9/11 planes, and Patrick Marber for Little Children.
Sacha Baron Cohen is nominated for best adapted screenplay for his spoof documentary Borat, while another screenplay nomination went to Peter Morgan for The Queen.
That film, which details the monarchy's reaction in the wake of Princess Diana's death, scored six nominations - for best picture, best original screenplay, best original score, best costume design, best actress and best director.
Buckingham Palace was thrilled by the news from Beverly Hills. "It is a very positive day for the British film industry. We are delighted for all those who have been nominated," said a spokesman, who declined to say if the Queen had seen The Queen.
Dame Helen is firm favourite to pick up the best actress honour for her role as the monarch at the February 25 ceremony. She has already collected 20 awards, including a Golden Globe.
Last night she said her nomination was a public reflection of the real Queen's popularity. "It's a way for people to show their love for her, not for me," she said. "I'm just an actress who happened to portray the sitting monarch.
"Within that role there is a human being with all the flaws and the strengths. I was playing a complex human being and I think what people are responding to is her, not me. Like them, I fell in love with her."
Dame Judi is nominated for her role in Notes On A Scandal. "I'm very pleased," she said. "I'm in frighteningly good company. It's very nice of the Queen to allow me in for a minute."
This is the fifth time that Miss Winslet - shortlisted for her touching portrayal of a frustrated mother in Little Children - has been nominated for an Oscar, an award she has never won.
She is the youngest actor or actress ever to receive five nominations.
Forest Whitaker is a strong contender for best actor for his portrayal of Idi Amin in the British-backed film The Last King Of Scotland, but O'Toole is probably the people's choice.
Referring to his seven previous nominations, he said: "If you fail the first time, try, try, try, try, try, try, try again."
Dame Helen Mirren, 61
MOST FAMOUS FOR: Unashamedly taking her clothes off at any given opportunity, despite getting on a bit.
BEST QUOTE: "Absolutely. I'll find some excuse" - when asked if she would be stripping off for a role as Cleopatra.
AWARDS: Already has two Golden Globes for The Queen and the TV film Elizabeth I this year.
Dame Judi Dench, 72
MOST FAMOUS FOR: Netting an Oscar for best supporting actress in 1999 for eight minutes on screen as Elizabeth I in Shakespeare In Love.
BEST QUOTE: "Don't think I'm going to let Bob Hoskins take all his clothes off and me not take a look?" - on her co-star's nude scene in Mrs Henderson Presents.
AWARDS: A string of Baftas to go with her Oscar.
Kate Winslet, 31
MOST FAMOUS FOR: Always a nominee, never a winner. This is the fifth time she has been nominated for an Oscar, but so far she has walked away with nothing.
BEST QUOTE: "Thank God for British films, they don't care what shape you are" - on Hollywood's obsession with being slim.
AWARDS: One Bafta for Sense And Sensibility.
Reader views (1)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
I have loved Dame Judi and Dame Helen from the first time I saw them on the big screen or TV. Helen's portrayal of Lt. Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect was just marvelous. I watched each and every one and would love to see more. As far as taking her clothes off, You Go Girl!
Who doesn't love Dame Judi? She is the best ever. I applaud the British movie producers for using these older actresses. They are fine actresses, classy, caring and know their trade better than most of these younger twits. They are real. They are not constantly worried about looking like a stick or do they have their make up just perfect. In other words, they are not plastic like most of our Hollywood types. Keep these movies coming! I'd vote for them to win the Oscars as well as any other award they are up for.
- Betty Dunn, Garden Grove, California
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