ELSTREE-BASED film The King's Speech reigned at last night's Oscars with four wins including best picture

ELSTREE-BASED film The King's Speech reigned at last night's Oscars with four wins including best picture.

Colin Firth won best actor, Tom Hooper won best director and David Seidler won best original screenplay with the crowning glory of the evening coming with the coveted award for best picture.

The film, with a total of 12 Academy Award nominations, received seven awards at the Baftas last month.

The King's Speech, which stars Firth as King George VI and Geoffrey Rush as Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue, tells how the royal overcame a stammer after unexpectedly becoming King in 1936 following the abdication of his brother, Edward VIII.

Roger Morris, managing director of Elstree Studios, paid tribute to the studio's past history in film and current success.

He said: "The King’s Speech is the most awarded and nominated film in Elstree Studios’ illustrious 85-year history. It's great for Elstree and film production in the UK.

“Last year, another British film, Slumdog Millionaire, also won these coveted awards and was based around the famous television show, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, which started its life in the UK at Elstree.

“Most importantly, both films have been relatively low budget and both have been great commercial successes earning lots of money all over the world, encouraging other investors into British made or produced films. Long live the UK film industry.”

Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, Councillor Morris Bright, praised the small-budget film, which he believes highlighted the studio's projects extending further than television shows.

He said: "Hertsmere is very proud today. Elstree is a small studios competing in a big industry. The King's Speech is a small film competing against big budget blockbusters.

"It can feel very David and Goliath at times. For Elstree Studios and for the residents of Hertsmere who own this wonderful site, this is a moment of much pride.

"For one of the great films of all time to have been filmed at the studios and to be recognised in the way that it has across the world, will prove again that small is often beautiful.

"We are delighted that once again Elstree Studios is recognised not just for television production, but also for film-making too.

"Success for a film doesn't come much bigger than this and the board of directors at Elstree is delighted that the people's studios has played a role in helping in the production of a cinematic classic.

"Our congratulations to the film-makers and its stars."