'Dorset's Oscar' for The Young Victoria (From Dorset Echo)

'Dorset's Oscar' for The Young Victoria

8:00am Tuesday 9th March 2010 in

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A MOVIE that was penned, partly-filmed and premiered in West Dorset has triumphed at the Oscars.

The Young Victoria, written by Dorchester-based Julian Fellowes, bagged the Oscar for ‘Best Costume Design’ at the prestigious ceremony in Hollywood on Sunday night.

The film was shot on location at Athelhampton House and had its world premiere at the Electric Palace in Bridport.

Costume designer Sandy Powell received the Oscar for her work dressing the stars, including Dorset actress Harriet Walter and Emily Blunt, who starred as Victoria in the period film which focuses on the turbulent years of the young queen’s life.

Mr Fellowes, who lives just outside Dorchester in West Stafford with his wife Emma, said he was ‘absolutely delighted’ with the award.

He said: “I think it’s 100 per cent deserved because Sandy Powell is a real genius.

“What is so extraordinary about her work in that film is that she has reinvented the Victorian look without being unfaithful to it.

“We were absolutely delighted to get make up, hair and costume at the Baftas and so I thought Sandy was in with a chance at the Oscars.

“It has worked out tremendously and it was a happy moment for me.

“It makes the movie an Oscar winning movie.”

Harriet Walter said of the costumes: “They were gorgeous but it was very difficult getting into cars with those massive bonnets on. You had to practically lie on the floor, which wasn’t ideal.”

The world film premiere of The Young Victoria was in Bridport last year in aid of the Echo-backed Weldmar Hospicecare Trust appeal.

Mr Fellowes, who is a vice-president of the hospice, enabled the charity to pocket the proceeds of the premiere which amounted to £9,500.

Mr Fellowes said he has always been interested in the life of Queen Victoria since he was a young man and he was keen to write the film.

He said: “I thought her early life was so unexpected. She was involved in a tug-of-war with a controlling mother and there were people pulling her this way and that.”