Ranking the 10 Most Unforgettable Baftas Moments in History
Ahead of this Sunday's awards night, we delve into the archives to recall the most astonishing and bizarre incidents that have defined the Baftas over the years. From celebrity outbursts to bizarre stunts, these moments have left an indelible mark on British entertainment history.
10. Russell Crowe's Poem Gets Cut (2002)
Typically, the Baftas feature fewer memorable moments compared to events like the Oscars, partly because the ceremony is not broadcast live, offering viewers only edited highlights. However, in 2002, when Russell Crowe won for A Beautiful Mind, his acceptance speech was notably edited out. Crowe had chosen to recite Patrick Kavanagh's poem Sanctity, which dragged on excessively. Upon discovering the edit, Crowe confronted the show's director at the afterparty, pinning him against a wall, calling him a derogatory term, and allegedly kicking three chairs across the room in a fit of rage.
9. John Hurt Punches a Photographer (1989)
In 1989, the Baftas were broadcast live, but the most noteworthy event occurred in the bar afterward. John Hurt, apparently heavily intoxicated, screamed "Fuck off or I'll kill you" at a group of 30 photographers before attempting to fight them. The incident resulted in dramatic photographs, and Hurt remained unrepentant, telling the Daily Express the next morning, "I'm a bad, bad boy, and I love it."
8. #BaftaSoWhite (2017, 2020, 2023)
While awards shows often face criticism for lack of diversity, the Baftas have been particularly scrutinized. In 2017, only white nominees were featured in key categories like best actor, best actress, and best director, sparking the hashtag #BaftaSoWhite on social media. It trended again in 2020, prompting Bafta to conduct a formal review, expand membership to underrepresented groups, and implement unconscious bias training. Despite these efforts, the hashtag resurfaced in 2023, highlighting ongoing challenges.
7. 'Babe' Attends (1996)
The guest of honour at the 1996 awards was a pig, ostensibly celebrating the release of the film Babe. However, it couldn't have been the actual star, as the production used 48 different pigs, all of which would have grown too large by the ceremony. Essentially, a random pig was brought to the Baftas, and the stunt went unchallenged, adding a quirky twist to the night.
6. Joanna Lumley's Anti-Monologue (2019)
Joanna Lumley, a national treasure, hosted the 2019 awards but struggled with the opening monologue. Her jokes fell flat, such as telling Steve Coogan, "That's another fine dress you've got me into," and Spike Lee, "I'm surprised it did so well at the Klan Film Festival." The awkward silence and pitying looks from nominees led to most of her routine being omitted from Bafta's official YouTube upload.
5. Jack Nicholson's Acceptance Speech (1975)
In 1975, Jack Nicholson won the best leading actor Bafta for both Chinatown and The Last Detail. Unable to attend due to filming One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, he sent a memorable acceptance video. Dressed as his character Randle McMurphy, he smashed a window, acted erratically, and was dragged off by Nurse Ratched, creating one of the greatest award show moments ever.
4. The Bubbly Red Carpet (2002)
Inviting celebrities to wear skimpy outfits in London's winter weather is a Bafta tradition, but in 2002, rain reacted with flame-retardant chemicals on the red carpet, creating a foamy mess. This forced stars to walk through a chilly, foam-covered path, reportedly ruining Dame Judi Dench's shoes and adding a surreal element to the event.
3. Louis Malle Praises British Food (1975)
Director Louis Malle, upon winning best film in 1975, used his entire 26-second speech to address food critics. He stated that despite warnings from "about 265 people" that the meal would be terrible, he actually enjoyed "a very good meal," offering a humorous and unexpected twist to his acceptance.
2. The Astronaut Acrobats (2019)
In 2019, Baftas commissioned Cirque du Soleil to perform an interpretive dance themed around the moon landing, likely due to First Man being an awards frontrunner. However, the film was largely snubbed, leaving the expensive setpiece feeling out of place. This misstep taught Bafta to align opening acts more closely with actual winners.
1. 'Angela Bassett Did the Thing!' (2023)
Ariana DeBose's 2023 musical number stands as a highlight in Baftas history. She performed a song celebrating women, then segued into a custom rap naming every female nominee. From "Charlotte Wells we love Aftersun" to rhyming Electric Malady with "What a slay," and culminating in the iconic line "Angela Bassett did the thing!" while mimicking a mosquito attack, it was a breathless, viral moment that captivated audiences worldwide.
The 79th Bafta awards ceremony airs on 22 February on BBC One, promising more potential for unforgettable moments.
