'Knight' wins three Empire Awards

LONDON, March 30 (UPI) -- The latest Batman movie, "The Dark Knight," picked up three prizes at the Empire Awards ceremony in London.

The movie was named best picture, Christopher Nolan won the best director title and Caped Crusader portrayer Christian Bale took home the best actor trophy, the BBC said.

Helena Bonham Carter won the best actress award for her lead role in the big-screen musical "Sweeney Todd" and late actor Heath Ledger -- who won a posthumous Oscar last month for playing the Joker in "The Dark Knight" -- was honored for his career-long body of work at Sunday's event, which celebrated winners voted on by readers of Empire, a monthly film magazine.

"Quantum of Solace" won the award for best thriller, "Wanted" the prize for science fiction flick and "RocknRolla" the statuette for best British film.

"Slumdog Millionaire" director Danny Boyle took home the trophy for outstanding contribution to British film, while Viggo Mortensen was presented with the Empire Icon award, the BBC said.