The American film, The Aviator, directed by Martin Scorsese, was awarded the best film trophy at the annual BAFTA award ceremony in London last night.
It shared the main honours at the 2005 awards with low-budget British movie Vera Drake.
The Aviator's star Cate Blanchett won best supporting actress, but Scorsese lost out to Mike Leigh, of Britain, for the best director award.
Leigh's Vera Drake, also won the award for best actress which went to Imelda Staunton in the title role.
The best actor category was won by Jamie Foxx for his performance in Ray while Clive Owen took best supporting actor for Closer.
Big British hope Kate Winslet walked away empty-handed despite two nominations for best actress.
The Aviator took four awards in all, also collecting best make-up and hair and production design, while Vera Drake also scooped best costume design.
Other winners included 14-year-old Emma Watson who collected the Orange Film of the Year award for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
The Motorcycle Diaries took best foreign film and best music, while Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind won best original screenplay and best editing.
