A group of leading US critics has given two awards to a biopic about American writer Truman Capote.

The National Society of Film Critics, made up of writers from top 'papers and magazines, voted Capote best film and gave lead Philip Seymour Hoffman best actor.

Capote focuses on the author's work In Cold Blood, which was inspired by the 1959 murder of a farming family in Kansas.

Best Actress went to Reese Witherspoon, for her role as Johnny Cash's wife in Walk The Line.

David Cronenberg was named best director for his crime drama A History of Violence, while Ed Harris won best supporting actor for his in the film.

Cowboy romance Brokeback Mountain - which is tipped for Oscar success – went surprisingly unrewarded, despite nods from the New York, Los Angeles and Boston Critics' Circles.