Master And Commander was the toast of last night at the 24th London Film Critics Circle Awards taking away Best Film, Best British Actor for Paul Bettany and Best Screenwriter for John Collee and Peter Weir.

The other winners of the night included Mystic River for Best Director and Best Actor and The Magdalene Sisters for Best British Film and Best British Director

Emma Thompson and Bill Nighy were both awarded in the Supporting Actor categories for Love Actually, while Best British Actress went to Anne Reid for The Mother.

However, while tipped for Oscar glory after winning four Golden Globe awards, the final instalment of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy was overlooked by the 100 critics who make up the Critics' Circle.

British Director of the Year
Peter Mullan - The Magdalene Sisters

Director of the Year
Clint Eastwood - Mystic River

British Film of the Year (The Attenborough Award)
The Magdalene Sisters

Film of the Year
Master And Commander

British Newcomer
David Mackenzie - Young Adam

Best British Screenwriter
David Hare - The Hours

Best Screenwriter
John Collee/Peter Weir - Master And Commander

Best British Actress of the Year
Anne Reid - The Mother

Best British Actress in a Supporting Role
Emma Thompson - Love, Actually

Best Actress of the Year
Julianne Moore - Far From Heaven

Best British Actor of the Year
Paul Bettany - Master And Commander

Best Actor of the Year
Sean Penn - Mystic River

Best British Actor in a Supporting Role
Bill Nighy - Love, Actually

Best Foreign Film
Good Bye, Lenin!

Dilys Powell Award for Outstanding Contribution to Cinema
Tom Courtenay (acting)

The Critics' Circle Special Award
Ronald Neame (directing)