As Brits look set to storm the Oscars this weekend, a poll by Cineworld, the UK’s leading cinema chain, reveals the British actors and films we believe should have previously been awarded the highest accolade in the film industry, but were snubbed by the Academy voters. And we don’t have to look too far back, with two slights from last year’s Academy Awards being chosen as the biggest British snubs of all time – Chiwetel Ejiofor for his harrowing role as free man turned slave Solomon in 12 Years a Slave (30%) and national treasure Dame Judi Dench for her dazzling performance in Philomena (23%).
Film fans across the nation will be hoping for better luck for this year’s British nominees, which include both Eddie Redmayne and Benedict Cumberbatch for Best Actor and Rosamund Pike and Felicity Jones for Best Actress.
In what’s been described as the battle of the Brits, it’s recent BAFTA winner Eddie Redmayne, for his role as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything, that the nation most wants to see take home the Best Actor gong, with over 40% choosing him ahead of Benedict Cumberbatch, who played code-breaker Alan Turing in The Imitation Game, with 23% of the vote.
It’s a similar story in the fight for best actress, with British talent proving most popular with voters. Rosamund Pike, playing Amy in fiction turned silver screen hit Gone Girl, is chosen as favourite to win with 43% of Brits choosing her ahead of Felicity Jones, The Theory of Everything, who received a third of the vote (27%). Industry favourite Julianne Moore only received a meagre 8% for her BAFTA winning performance in Still Alice.
The research also found Sir Anthony Hopkins is the nation’s favourite Academy winner of all time (32%). But it’s Colin Firth, for his role as Prince Albert in The King’s Speech, who is most popular with the ladies, with 39% of British woman crowning him their favourite Oscar winner.
Andreas Vass, Head of Film at Cineworld, comments: “This is such a special year for Brits at the Oscars with a number of nominations for some of our much loved, home grown talent. It’s clear to see we’re a nation who is passionate about film and these results show just how much they love to get behind our British actors and actresses as well as British film in general.”
And for those who missed out watching Oscar nominated films at the cinema the first time around, Cineworld will be revisiting these this weekend with screenings of The Grand Budapest Hotel, Birdman and Boyhood at 35 cinemas nationwide. To book tickets please visit www.cineworld.com.
Brits’ biggest Oscar snubs for Best Actor
| 1 | Chiwetel Ejiofor – 12 Years a Slave | 31% |
| 2 | Christian Bale – American Hustle | 16% |
| 3 | Daniel Day-Lewis – Gangs of New York | 12% |
| 4 | Gary Oldman – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy | 11% |
| 5 | Ralph Fiennes – The English Patient | 7% |
| 6 | Colin Firth – A Single Man | 6% |
| 7 | Jude Law – Cold Mountain | 4% |
| 8 | Ian Mckellen – Gods and Monsters | 4% |
| 9 | Michael Caine – The Quiet American | 4% |
| 10 | Nigel Hawthrone – The Madness of King George | 3% |
Brits’ biggest Oscar snubs for Best Actress
| 1 | Judi Dench – Philomena | 22% |
| 2 | Kiera Knightley – Pride and Prejudice | 17% |
| 3 | Kate Winslet – Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind | 14% |
| 4 | Emma Thompson – Sense and Sensibility | 8% |
| 5 | Kristin Scott Thomas – The English Patient | 6% |
| 6 | Carey Mulligan – An Education | 4% |
| 7 | Imelda Staunton – Vera Drake | 4% |
| 8 | Helena Bonham Carter – The Wings of the Dove | 4% |
| 9 | Naomi Watts – 21 Grams | 4% |
| 10 | Brenda Blethyn – Secrets and Lies | 3% |
Who do Brits want to win Best Actor at this year’s Oscars?
| 1 | Eddie Redmayne – The Theory of Everything | 41% |
| 2 | Benedict Cumberbatch – The Imitation Game | 23% |
| 3 | Bradley Cooper – American Sniper | 20% |
| 4 | Michael Keaton – Birdman | 10% |
| 5 | Steve Carell – Foxcatcher | 6% |
Who do Brits want to win Best Actress at this year’s Oscars?
| 1 | Rosamund Pike – Gone Girl | 43% |
| 2 | Felicity Jones – The Theory of Everything | 27% |
| 3 | Reese Witherspoon – Wild | 19% |
| 4 | Julianne Moore – Still Alice | 8% |
| 5 | Marion Cotillard – Two Days One Night | 3% |
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