Return Of The King Is The Critics Choice

Epic Lord Of The Rings finale THE RETURN OF THE King has been named the Best Film at this year's (04) CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS.

The PETER JACKSON-directed blockbuster claimed four gongs at the prestigious ceremony - voted for by the BROADCAST FILM CRITICS' ASSOCIATION in Los Angeles - including Best Director for Jackson, Best Acting Ensemble and Best Composer for HOWARD SHORE.

Other big winners included Sean Penn who was crowned Best Actor for his performance in Mystic River and Charlize Theron who took home the Best Actress gong for her portrayal of killer AILEEN WUORNOS in Monster.

Cold Mountain star Renee Zellweger won the Best Supporting Actress award for her turn as feisty mountain girl RUBY in the romantic drama. And TIM ROBBINS was named Best Supporting Actor for MYSTIC RIVER.

The full list of winners are:

BEST PICTURE - The Lord Of The Rings: THE RETURN OF THE KING.

BEST ACTOR - SEAN PENN, MYSTIC RIVER.

BEST ACTRESS - CHARLIZE THERON, MONSTER.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - TIM ROBBINS, MYSTIC RIVER.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - RENEE ZELLWEGER, COLD MOUNTAIN.

BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE - THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING.

BEST DIRECTOR - PETER JACKSON, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING.

BEST WRITER - JIM SHERIDAN, Kirsten Sheridan, Naomi Sheridan, In America.

BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS - KEISHA CASTLE-HUGHES, Whale Rider.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE - FINDING NEMO.

BEST FAMILY FILM (LIVE ACTION) - Pirates Of The Caribbean: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL.

BEST COMPOSER: HOWARD SHORE, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING.