'Darkest Hour sets a benchmark in prosthetics'

Darkest Hour won two awards at the BAFTA awards under the Best Actor category, and Best Hair and Makeup category. 

The British war drama was up against the films Blade Runner 2049, I, Tonya, Wonder and Victoria & Abdul, in the Hair and Makeup category. 

The writer of the film, Anthony McCarten, thinks his film has set a new benchmark in prosthetics.

"Winston Churchill would plonk himself down next to me on the chairs and I would be chatting to him and you wouldn't be able to tell where Winston starts and Gary (Oldman) ends. He could be as close as I am to you, and look as I would for some hint that it was prosthetic, I couldn't find any," says McCarten.

The film has been widely praised internationally and McCarten says he is "very pleased and really excited" by the recognition.

"It keeps the film in the spotlight. The awards season is just great for putting attention on films and keeping them in the public mind," he adds.

McCarten is all praise for the film's lead, Gary Oldman. "Gary is just a pro, a delight, a genius, a creative powerhouse and he endured ordeals of huge proportions in a whole bunch of areas. He would have to be on set at 3 am to undergo three hours of make-up before we started and he just took that without any complaints. He was rock solid on his lines, electrifying in his performance and always with a smile on his face."