The final Lord of the Rings movie has been overlooked at this year's London Film Critics' Circle Awards.

The Return of the King failed to pick up a single trophy at the ceremony, held last night at the Dorchester Hotel. Russell Crowe's Master and Commander topped the bill, meanwhile, picking up three prizes in all.

Crowe's costar Paul Bettany won Best British Actor, while Peter Weir and John Collee took Best Screenwriter. The epic also picked up the trophy in the coveted Best Picture category.

"You can almost taste the salt in the air," said William Russell, chairman of the critics' circle. "Director Peter Weir, as well as handling spectacular scenes of storms at sea, also secured memorable performances from a huge cast headed by Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany."

Other winners included The Magdalene Sisters scooping Best British Film and Clint Eastwood as Best Director for Mystic River.

The circle is made up of 100 journalists and reviewers who write for magazines and newspapers all over the UK.