Director Steve McQueen seemed surprised by the win on Sunday night. "Little bit in shock," said the British filmmaker, clutching the award. "I wasn't expecting it."

The biggest victor was David Russell's comedy . It won three trophies during the three-hour ceremony, including for best musical or comedy, best actress for Amy Adams and best supporting actress for Jennifer Lawrence.

The Aids drama also performed well at the awards show considered a key indicator for the Oscars. Matthew McConaughey won his first Golden Globe as lead actor in the film, as did his co-star Jared Leto for supporting actor.

Cate Blanchett received the best actress in a drama honour for Woody Allen's .

Leonardo DiCaprio joked that he never thought he'd win a Golden Globe for a comedy, but he took the trophy for best actor in a musical or comedy film for his role as a hedonistic broker in .

He praised the film's director, Martin Scorsese, with whom he's worked five times, saying, "Thank you for your mentorship." DiCaprio also commended the other unlikely "comedians" nominated with him, including Christian Bale.

The honour for best director went to Mexican Alfonso Cuaron for his lost-in-space thriller , starring George Clooney and Sandra Bullock.

Host, star Tina Fey, joked: "George Clooney would rather float away in space and die than spend one more minute with a woman his own age."

It was also a good night for . The acclaimed television drama about a high school teacher turned ruthless meth maker, which ended its run last autumn, won best drama, while the show's star, Bryan Cranston, won best actor.

"It's such a lovely way to say goodbye to the show," said Cranston, who had been nominated three other times.

Woody Allen was named as the recipient of the honorary Cecil B. DeMille Award but, as expected, was a no-show.

Diane Keaton, who earned a Globe and an Oscar for lead actress for Allen's 1977 classic , received the award on behalf of the notoriously award-shy director. "I think it's safe to say Woody Allen is an anomaly," Keaton said.

Other television winners included show co-host Amy Poehler, who was named best actress in a comedy series for .

Robin Wright won her first Golden Globe for best actress in a drama series for the political drama . And Jon Voight, 75, won the prize for best supporting actor in a series, miniseries or television movie for the drama series .

Fox's first-year police spoof won the prize for best comedy series.

, HBO's drama about flamboyant pianist Liberace and his young boyfriend, won best mini-series or television movie, with its veteran star Michael Douglas, 69, taking the prize for best actor in a mini-series or film.