Apocalypse Now is best film of recent decades

10 April 2012

Apocalypse Now is the best film of the past three decades, according to critics.

Francis Ford Coppola's gritty Vietnam war movie topped a poll marking 30 years of the London Film Critics' Circle Awards, where it won best film in 1980.

Winner: Apocalypse now has topped the poll

The critics did not think there has been a better film since and placed it ahead of Steven Spielberg's harrowing Holocaust epic Schindler's List and the critics' circle's 2007 foreign-language winner The Lives Of Others.

Starring Marlon Brando and Martin Sheen, Coppola's work is an adaptation of Joseph Conrad's 19th Century colonial novella Heart Of Darkness.

Chairman of the Film Critics' Circle Jason Solomons said: "I'm delighted that such a powerful and brilliant film as Apocalypse Now has won the enduring admiration of the London critics.

"Coppola's towering film is a worthy winner and clearly its anti-war message, monumental performances and dazzling film-making technique have stood the test of time, making it as relevant to critics today as it was when it won best film at our first awards ceremony 30 years ago."

Only two films from the last decade made the critics' countdown, with Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain rounding out the top five.

Next year's 30th London Film Critics' Circle Awards takes place on February 18 in aid of children's charity the NSPCC.

The NSPCC is offering the chance to bid for a table of 10 to dine with the stars at the ceremony. The prize is being auctioned at www.dreamauction2.co.uk, with bids accepted until December 12.

Full winners' list as voted for by London Film Critics' Circle members
1. Apocalypse Now (Francis Ford Coppola, 1980)
2. Schindler's List (Steven Spielberg, 1994)
3. The Lives of Others (Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, 2007)
4. Unforgiven (Clint Eastwood, 1992)
5. Brokeback Mountain (Ang Lee, 2005)
6. Cinema Paradiso (Giuseppe Tornatore, 1990)
7. L.A. Confidential (Curtis Hanson, 1997)
8. Fargo (Joel Coen, 1996)
9. Distant Voices, Still Lives (Terence Davies, 1989)
10. The King of Comedy (Martin Scorsese, 1983)

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