Last year’s Golden Globes Awards were reduced to a mere press conference because of the Hollywood writer’s strike. But, Hollywood’s big guns seemed determined to make-up for that by hitting the red carpet in force this year.

Everyone from Brad Pitt to Tom Cruise and Johnny Depp strutted their stuff but the one star who couldn’t be there, Heath Ledger, stole the show with his posthumous win for his performance as The Joker in The Dark Knight. And, double winner, Kate Winslet was rendered speechless by her two wins; Best Actress for her role in Revolutionary Road and the Best Supporting Actress award for movie The Reader.

The British actress wasn't the only winner from her homeland after the night was dominated by actors, actresses and movies from the U.K.

Sally Hawkins won the Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical award for her role in Happy-Go-Lucky, while Tom Wilkinson won Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television for John Adams.

The British made and Indian-based Slumdog Millionaire trumped a number of big budget blockbusters to win four prizes; Best Motion Picture, Drama, Best Director prize for Brit Danny Boyle, Best Screenplay and Best Original Score.

Steven Spielberg was treated to a montage of his career achievements and a speech by fellow director Martin Scorsese; and then a standing ovation from the crowd as he accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award for his outstanding contribution to the entertainment field.

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