Eddie Redmayne scooped the best actor prize at the Bafta Film Awards for his role as Professor Stephen Hawking in “The Theory of Everything”. The film was also named outstanding British film and won a third award for its adapted screenplay.

Redmayne said it was "one of the best nights of my life". 

Coming of age drama “Boyhood” - shot over 12 years with the same cast - was named best film, with Richard Linklater picking up best director prize. Patricia Arquette also won the best supporting actress Bafta for her role in the film. 

The ceremony at London's Royal Opera House on Sunday night was hosted by Stephen Fry.

Julianne Moore won the leading actress prize for her performance as a linguistics professor with early-onset Alzheimer's. 

Wes Anderson's quirky comedy “The Grand Budapest Hotel” won the most awards on the night - a total of five including costume design, production design, make-up and original music; with Anderson winning his first Bafta for original screenplay. 

Redmayne poses with Stephen Hawking (top); all winners gather for a group photo.

Jazz drumming drama “Whiplash” also took three awards - for editing, sound and supporting actor for JK Simmons, who thanked director Damien Chazelle for “the gift of this character.” 

World War Two drama “The Imitation Game”, with Benedict Cumberbatch as codebreaker Alan Turing, won nothing despite its nine nominations. 

Eddie Redmayne also said he poured his heart into “The Theory of Everything”, when he tackled the role of Professor Stephen Hawking. He said of the Hawking family: “I want to thank them for their trust, their generosity and their kindness.” 

Hawking had earlier appeared on stage to present the award for special visual effects, alongside leading actress nominee Felicity Jones, which went to Christopher Nolan 's sci-fi epic “Interstellar”. 

Source: BBC