Dir: Joe Wright, 2007 (9*)
Best Picture (British AA)
This British war romance, based on an Ian McEwan novel, is one of the best recent films in the classic romantic novel tradition, and reminds me of Jane Austen and Edith Wharton. Keira Knightly (another Oscar nomination) and James McAvoy star as the lovers, who grew up together on the same estate, but from different social classes; there's also a bit of sibling rivalry going on with Keira's little sister. However, it's Vanessa Redgrave who takes your breath away with a five minute scene; this was short but worthy of an Oscar nomination, she was so incredible. The long tracking scene at Dunkirk that follows three soldiers for about a mile is one of the most unforgettable war images on film. Winner of 7 British Academy Awards