It went in with a total of 12 nods and last night "The Artist" proved that silence is indeed golden. The black and white movie won seven BAFTA awards on Sunday and is now expected to repeat its triumph in two weeks time on Oscar night. Director Michel Hazanavicius barely managed to get comfortable in his seat as he accepted awards for best best film, original screenplay and best director. 　　Michel Hazanavicius: "Thank you again, I'm so proud that Brad Pitt pronounce my name so well..thank you. I know that I will have some bad days because I am a director, so I will have some bad days, but I will remember this day, today, as a good day." 　　The wins crashed the dreams of other hopefuls. Cold war spy thriller "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" was up against "The Artist" in most categories with 11 nominations. It eventually managed to win two: for Outstanding British Film and Best Adapted Screenplay. Peter Straughn: "I'd just like to thank The Artist for not being adapted from a book." 　　Gary Oldman will at least find some comfort among his fellow Leading Actor nominees, as Jean Dujardin crashed their BAFTA hopes. Jean Dujardin: "I am shocked and to receive this award from the country of Sir Laurence Olivier, William Webb Ellis and Benny Hill; C'est incroyable." 　　Another big winner was Meryl Streep who luckily had Mr Darcy on hand as she picked up her Leading Actress gong. Streep is now favourite to win her third Oscar for her turn as Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher. 　　Other BAFTA winners included Supporting Actors Octavia Spencer for "The Help" and Christopher Plummer for "Beginners". Martin Scorsese was honoured with the BAFTA fellowship.(Kathi Urban/ Reuters)