Thanks to 'Queen,' British are back in Oscars race

Actress Helen Mirren is shown in a scene from the film "The Queen" in this undated publicity photo. REUTERS/Laurie Sparham/Miramax Films/Handout

LONDON  - The British are back in force at the Academy Awards and Buckingham Palace says it is very pleased, while not giving the slightest hint whether Queen Elizabeth has seen the Oscar-nominated film based on her life.

With a best film nomination for "The Queen," one best actor nomination, two best director slots and three best actress nods, British stars may be poised for one of their best years ever at the Oscars and a chance to echo the jubilant boast made in 1982 by screenwriter Colin Welland after "Chariots of Fire" was a surprise Academy Awards victor.

"The British are coming," Welland whooped with delight on the podium, overjoyed for an industry that so often battles to emerge from Hollywood's shadow.

In 2007, even Buckingham Palace joined in the jubilation. "It is a very positive day for the British film industry. We are delighted for all those who have been nominated," said a palace spokeswoman as "The Queen" led the British Oscar charge with six nominations.

Bookmakers made the film's regal Helen Mirren the hot favourite for her role as Queen Elizabeth, grappling with an outpouring of grief by millions of Britons after the 1997 death of Princess Diana.

But the Buckingham Palace spokeswoman drew a veil of silence over whether Queen Elizabeth had actually seen the sympathetic portrayal. "We never reveal Her Majesty's personal preferences or what she is viewing or reading," she said.

Mirren, who dedicated her best actress victory at the Golden Globes to the Queen, said it was too early to talk about the Oscars. "Darling I haven't got the Oscar yet. We won't go that far. Let's be a little circumspect," she told Reuters.

It was Mirren's third Oscar nomination and she said, "It's been pretty easy in past because I was nominated for best supporting actress. It is first so you don't have to sit there in a state of nervous tension for two hours. Also I was pretty damn sure I was not going to win. I was very much the outsider so it was much easier it was fun.

"This will be a much more intimidating experience."

Among her competitors in the best actress category are compatriots Kate Winslet and Judi Dench, who declared, "I'm in frighteningly good company. It was very nice of The Queen to allow me in for a minute."

Stephen Frears, nominated for best director for "The Queen," confessed to being amazed, especially as he is in competition with Clint Eastwood and Martin Scorsese.

"If you get put on a list with those guys, you've done pretty well," he told BBC TV. He also promised that on Oscar night, "I'm going to wear a full-length evening gown."

He was joined in the best director nominations by compatriot Paul Greengrass for "United 93." Peter O'Toole was nominated for best actor for his portrayal of an aging actor who falls in love with a young woman in "Venus."