Highlights from the Baftas 2023 range from the Batmobile to a buzzed Pinocchio

the actors Cate Blanchett and Kerry Condon

All Quiet on the Western Front, a war movie in German, won the most awards at the Baftas on Sunday night, taking home seven of them. During the process, the record for the most victories for a movie that wasn't in English was broken.

Four victories each at the competition, which was held for the first time at London's Royal Festival Hall, went to The Banshees of Inisherin and Elvis.

Here are some of the highlights from the ceremony and backstage that you might have missed, even though you may be up to date on who won what.

Richard E Grant

Well, not quite. However, he did drive the Batmobile to the riverside venue on the advice of none other than Hollywood icon Steve Martin. However, Grant decided to disregard the veteran actor's second piece of advice, which was to avoid wearing white.

Grant actually wore an excessive amount of white. He made his entrance in style by adding a dramatic white floor-length cape in the style of Dracula because a white tuxedo wouldn't do. Although it was sadly discarded far too quickly for our tastes, it was enjoyable while it lasted.

Although he made a reference to the infamous Oscars ceremony from the previous year, Grant kept his promise made before the event not to roast any other actors.

"On my watch, no one receives a slap tonight other than a pat on the back. ".

Alison Hammond and Dame Helen Mirren

Some viewers on social media thought they would see more of the star alongside Grant - and as this year's co-hosts they did make a cute couple when they appeared together occasionally throughout the evening.

But the plan was always for the ITV presenter to host a behind-the scenes slot on some posh sofas off-stage (which looked like a slightly more glamorous version of the This Morning set).

Unfortunately, despite her best efforts, Alison was unable to convince Dame Helen Mirren to join her for a party later. I have to rise at six in the morning.  I have to fly to Berlin," the actress explained. Evil people cannot rest.

Ariana DeBose

Last year's best supporting actress winner Ariana DeBose (for West Side Story) performed a medley including Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves with a rap section naming several of the evening's female nominees.

Cringe or cool? You decide.  Kerry Condon appeared slightly baffled, Danielle Deadwyler looked very surprised, while Emma Thompson and Jamie Lee Curtis seemed to be really getting into it.

Kerry Condon

This year's best supporting actress Kerry Condon (for Banshees of Inisherin) said backstage that she had a "blackout, weird moment" when she realised she had won (there was an unfortunate incident when Troy Kotsur's interpreter accidentally named Carey Mulligan as the winner rather than Condon before it was quickly corrected).

As she was being interviewed by journalists, Condon caught sight of a live TV feed in the corner of the press room and saw Banshees writer and director Martin McDonagh step up to the stage to accept the award for best original screenplay.  "Oh, go away! I'm missing it.  Hurry up! Should we listen to it for a minute?" Be our guest.

Thankfully, McDonagh paid tribute to her (otherwise, it might have been a tad awkward).

He described her as "the amazing Kerry Condon, who I first worked with on a play at the RSC 21 years ago.  And she was amazing in that as she is in this - although more than 12 people got to see this!".

Barry Keoghan

Condon's co-star, Barry Keoghan, was equally delighted with his best supporting actor win.

"It encourages the arts at home, we are an island of storytelling.  It helps the industry massively at home.  I mean, 14 nominations for the Oscars are Irish.  and I'm wearing red.  Should have worn green!".

He plans to put his Bafta above his late mother's picture - although he nearly left it in the press room and had to run back for it.

David Bradley

Guillermo del Toro picked up the best animation prize for his dark adaptation of the classic children's tale Pinocchio.

"Is Pinocchio with you?" someone asks backstage.  "Yes, but he's getting drunk somewhere!".

While the famous puppet may have gone AWOL, David Bradley - who voices Geppetto - carried a puppet of his character with him.  A unique plus one.

And he's even carrying his own little Bafta! .

Austin Butler

The Elvis star winning best actor was something of an upset, with many expecting Colin Farrell to pick up his first Bafta for the Banshees of Inisherin.

But he got back in Ireland's good books by revealing that "someone told me the other day they thought I was Irish".  (Although he's still sounding very like Elvis to us).

"Is Butler an Irish surname?" (Sorry, we think it's Norman French).

On learning that Elvis may (or may not) have had some Irish connections, he was asked if he had felt any Irish connection while filming.  "Yeah, it was all I thought about," he deadpanned.

Navalny filmmakers

Navalny - a film about the poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny - won best documentary.  The creators lamented his absence and that of investigative journalist Christo Grozev, who could not be at the ceremony due to "a public security risk".

Activist and journalist Maria Pevchikh said: "The message to the Kremlin is to free Navalny and all political prisoners immediately and stop the war (in Ukraine) immediately.

"Before Navalny went to prison, I promised him that I would spend the time while he was in prison climbing on the highest mountain and shouting and screaming his name and making sure people don't forget what he has done for my country.  I believe that tonight's stage has been a pretty high mountain. ".

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