‘1917’ stuns Golden Globes as Tarantino bags most prizes

January 7, 2020

LOS ANGELES: War epic ‘1917’ shocked the Golden Globes by claiming the top prize for best drama film, while Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood’ won the most honours, massively boosting their prospects for next month’s Oscars.

‘Once Upon a Time...’ – an homage to 1960s Tinseltown – won three prizes including best comedy, but Martin Scorsese’s much-vaunted Netflix crime saga ‘The Irishman’ went home emptyhanded.

The Globes are the first major awards gala of the year, in a packed season that ends with the Academy Awards in just over a month’s time, so the winners will hope to capitalise on some muchneeded momentum.

‘1917’ follows two British soldiers through the trenches in World War I, and is filmed to look like one continuous, two-hourlong shot.

“Goodness me, that is a big surprise,” said stunned filmmaker Sam Mendes, who bested Scorsese and Tarantino in the crowded best director category.

Dedicating the film to his grandfather who signed up to fight aged just 17, Mendes added: “I hope he’s looking down on us and I fervently hope it never happens again.”

The film’s lead actor George MacKay – a 27-year-old relative unknown in Hollywood – told AFP he was ‘just thrilled, proper thrilled’ when the announcement was made.

“It’s a wonderful thing. It’s truly just so brilliant for the film and everyone involved. It’s the biggest team effort ever.”

Tarantino won the best screenplay award, and Brad Pitt took home best supporting actor honours for his role as a loyal stuntman to Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in ‘Once Upon a Time...’

“I also have to thank my partner in crime, LDC,” said Pitt.

“I wouldn’t be here without you, man... I would have shared the raft, though,” he added, referring to the closing scene of ‘Titanic.’