Top critics have voted Francis Ford Coppola's war movie Apocalypse Now the best film of the last 30 years.

The 1979 drama, starring Marlon Brando and Martin Sheen, is number one on a new poll celebrating 30 years of the London Film Critics' Circle Awards.

Apocalypse Now, which won Best Film at the inaugural ceremony in 1980, came ahead of Steven Spielberg's Holocaust epic Schindler's List, which was voted second best.

The Critics' Circle, the world's oldest organisation of critics, also recognised The Lives of Others, Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven and Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain, which rounded out the top five respectively.

Chairman of the Film Critics' Circle Jason Solomons says, "I'm delighted that such a powerful and brilliant film as Apocalypse Now has won the enduring admiration of the London critics.

"Coppola's towering film is a worthy winner and clearly its anti-war message, monumental performances and dazzling film-making technique have stood the test of time, making it as relevant to critics today as it was when it won best film at our first awards ceremony 30 years ago."

The 30th annual London Film Critics' Circle Awards will take place on February 18 in the British capital.