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It was finally Martin Scorsese’s night. After five nominations, crossing over nearly three decades, the acclaimed film-maker last night scooped the prize for Best Direction at the 79th Academy Awards, as Helen Mirren confirmed all predictions, adding the most coveted of film honours to her numerous accolades.

But in a ceremony which saw Scorsese’s violent mob drama, The Departed, take four awards, including the Best Film prize, it was an evening of disappointment for others among the British contenders in this year’s awards, including Peter O’Toole whose hopes of gaining the Best Actor honour were dashed for the eighth time.

The legendary veteran actor – nominated for his performance in Venus – lost out to Forest Whitaker, who won for his towering and imposing portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.

Dame Helen, whose performance as the monarch attracted some of the shortest odds in Oscar history, confirmed bookmakers’ expectations, beating fellow Brits Kate WInslet and Dame Judi Dench, as well as Meryl Streep and Penelope Cruz, to take the Best Actress award.

"My sister told me all kids love to get gold stars - this is the biggest and best gold star I've ever had in my life," said a beaming Dame Helen, 61, as she gazed at her statuette.

"For 50 years and more, Elizabeth Windsor has maintained her dignity, her sense of duty - and her hairstyle. She has had her feet planted firmly on the ground, her hat on her head and her handbag on her arm.

"She has weathered many, many storms. And I salute her courage and her consistency and I thank her because if it wasn't for her I most certainly would not be here."

She ended her speech by holding up the Oscar statuette and saying: "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Queen."

The British star described her win as a "huge honour" and also paid tribute to her fellow nominees. "I share my gold star with them. They are brilliant, brilliant actresses who have amazing performances this year," she said.

Scorsese’s Best Director victory – thought by many to be long-overdue – saw him receive his Oscar from three contemporaries and friends, Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas. “Could you double-check the envelope?” he said collecting the award. “So many people over the years have been wishing this for me.”

Another British nominee left disappointed was Sacha Baron Cohen, who missed out on his first Oscar after his film Borat, based on the adventures of the comedian’s Kazakh journalist, failed to win the prize for Best Adapted Screenplay, which instead went to The Departed.

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