What Is 1968 National Board of Review Awards

Overview

The 1968 National Board of Review Awards recognized some of the most acclaimed films and performances of that year, a pivotal moment in American cinema marked by social change and artistic innovation. These awards, selected by the National Board of Review (NBR), are among the earliest announced each season and often signal potential Oscar contenders.

The 1968 awards highlighted a year of exceptional performances and diverse storytelling, with major honors going to musicals, dramas, and international films. Unlike other awards, the NBR allows ties and multiple top honors, reflecting a broader appreciation of cinematic excellence.

• Best Film was awarded jointly to 'Funny Girl' and 'The Lion in Winter', recognizing both Barbra Streisand’s breakout performance and the sharp historical drama’s ensemble cast.
• Best Actor went to Cliff Robertson for his role in 'Charly', a performance praised for its emotional depth and technical precision in portraying intellectual disability.
• Best Actress ended in a rare tie between Barbra Streisand in 'Funny Girl' and Katharine Hepburn in 'The Lion in Winter', underscoring two iconic performances.
• Best Foreign Language Film was awarded to 'War and Peace', the Soviet epic directed by Sergei Bondarchuk, which was lauded for its scale and fidelity to Tolstoy’s novel.
• The NBR also honored Frederick Wiseman with the Best Documentary award for 'High School', a groundbreaking observational film on American education.

How It Works

The National Board of Review selects its annual honorees through a voting process by a jury of film critics, academics, and industry professionals based in New York. The organization emphasizes artistic merit, cultural impact, and technical excellence when evaluating films released in the calendar year.

• Selection Process:Members vote independently after viewing eligible films, with final winners determined by a majority vote among the board’s panel of experts.
• Eligibility Window: Films must be released between January 1 and December 31, 1968, regardless of premiere status or distribution method.
• Award Categories: The NBR recognizes Best Film, Actor, Actress, Director, Foreign Language Film, Documentary, and Top 10 Films, among others.
• Ties Allowed: Unlike the Oscars, the NBR permits ties in performance categories, as seen with Streisand and Hepburn in 1968.
• Announcement Timing: Winners are typically announced in early December, making the NBR one of the first major groups to weigh in on awards season.
• Ceremony: The awards are presented in January of the following year; the 1968 awards were given out in early 1969 in New York City.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares key winners from the 1968 NBR Awards with other major accolades from the same year, highlighting overlaps and distinctions in critical recognition.

The table shows strong alignment between the NBR and the Oscars in acting and directing, though the Best Film choices diverged significantly. While the NBR honored two dramas, the Academy chose the musical 'Oliver!', illustrating different tastes between critics and industry voters. The NBR’s inclusion of 'War and Peace' also highlights its broader international outlook.

Why It Matters

The 1968 NBR Awards hold historical significance as a barometer of critical opinion during a transformative year in film and society. These awards helped elevate performances and films that might have otherwise been overshadowed by commercial releases.

• The tie between Streisand and Hepburn was a rare acknowledgment of both a new star and an established legend in the same category.
• Cliff Robertson’s win for 'Charly' preceded his Oscar victory, confirming the NBR’s influence on awards momentum.
• The recognition of 'War and Peace' introduced American audiences to Soviet cinema on a grand scale.
• Frederick Wiseman’s documentary award highlighted the growing importance of nonfiction film in cultural discourse.
• The NBR’s Top 10 Films list included '2001: A Space Odyssey' and 'Romeo and Juliet', shaping critical canon.
• As an early awards body, the NBR helps set the tone for the entire Oscar season each year.

Ultimately, the 1968 awards reflect a moment when film was both art and social commentary, and the National Board of Review played a key role in recognizing that duality.