The National Society Of Film Critics anointed Lars von Trier’s apocalyptic drama the best film of the year and named Brad Pitt best actor for Moneyball and The Tree Of Life and Kristen Dunst best actress for Melancholia.

Albert Brooks was named best supporting actor for Drive while Jessica Chastain won corresponding actress honours for The Tree Of Life, Take Shelter and The Help.

The Tree Of Life’s Terence Malick was named best director while Werner Herzog’s Cave Of Forgotten Dreams was named best documentary.

Asghar Farhadi earned best foreign language film and best screenplay awards for A Separation and The Tree Of Life’s Emanuel Lubezki won the cinematography category.