The role has earned Leonardo DiCaprio an Oscar nomination

The movie, which stars Leonardo Dicaprio as a South African mercenary hunting a valuable gem, made �1.18m.

Just a fraction behind were two newly-released films - part-animated fantasy Arthur and the Invisibles and dark drama Notes on a Scandal.

Musical Dreamgirls is at number four. Dreamgirls, Notes on a Scandal and Blood Diamond have all earned Oscar nominations for some of their cast.

Bond revival

Leonardo DiCaprio has been nominated for a best actor Oscar while co-star Djimon Hounsou has reived a nominated for supporting actor.

Both the female stars of Notes on a Scandal, Dame Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett, have been recognised, while Jennifer Hudson and Eddie Murphy are among Dreamgirls' eight nominations.

Last week's number one movie at cinemas across the UK and Ireland, Rocky Balboa, has fallen to number five with takings of just over �800,000, with Will Smith's The Pursuit of Happyness not far behind.