Julie Andrews: hasn't made a decent film for decades. But by virtue of starring in Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music has got to be included in the top ten.

Helena Bonham Carter: she carried all before her when Merchant Ivory were in their pomp. Bonham Carter illuminated the best of modern period films with her intelligence and ethereal beauty.

Judi Dench: her ability to deliver withering one-liners in some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters, notably the recent Bond films, and Shakespeare in Love, has made her one of the most beloved and recognised of British Dames.

Audrey Hepburn: though born in Belgium, Hepburn is as blue-blooded as British actresses get. Her performances in Roman Holiday, My Fair Lady, and Breakfast at Tiffany's made her the first genuine "It" girl, and a legend in her own lifetime.

Glenda Jackson: because she acts so rarely on the big screen now it is all too easy to forget what a fearless powerhouse Jackson was in her prime. Two Oscars is a serious collection by anyone's standards. A hugely affecting actress, and utterly Imperious as Queen Elizabeth in Mary, Queen of Scots.

Helen Mirren: her regal performance in Stephen Frears The Queen was the toast of the Oscars. But Mirren has been delivering great cameos on the big screen for much longer than most of her fans give her credit.

Vanessa Redgrave: another actress with blue acting blood rippling through her veins. Redgrave is an extremely principled, intelligent, and sensous actress who has been able to add that "je ne sais quoi" element to her numerous screen roles.

Margaret Rutherford: a vintage battleaxe who terrified the living daylights out of various vicars and English village worthies. Will always be revered for her performances as the ultimate amateur sleuth, Mrs Marple.

Maggie Smith: has found her second with as the kindly and matronly Minerva McGongonagall in the Harry Potter franchise. Smith has always been an absolutely brilliant comic actress on the big screen.

Elizabeth Taylor: the last of the truly great Studio legends. Despite colossal mishits such as Cleopatra, Taylor delivered some legendary performances, notably in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Who's Afraid of Virgiania Woolf? with the love of her life, Richard Burton.

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