The fantasy finale won 11 Oscars at this year's Academy Awards

The Return of the King took the title of best film of the year as voted for by viewers of the BBC One show.

The two previous films in Peter Jackson's trilogy, The Fellowship Of The Ring and The Two Towers, took the title in 2002 and 2003 respectively.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Finding Neverland - both starring Kate Winslet - were second and third.

FILM OF THE YEAR 1. The Return of the King 2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind 3. Finding Neverland 4. Lost in Translation 5. Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban 6. Shaun of the Dead 7. Hero 8. The Incredibles 9. Spider-Man 2 10. Collateral Source: BBC's Film 2004

In fourth place was Sofia Coppola's Oscar-winning comedy Lost in Translation, ahead of Alfonso Cuaron's latest Potter instalment and British "rom-zom-com" Shaun of the Dead.

Rival blockbuster Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban took fifth place, ahead of Spider-Man 2 at number nine.

Rounding out the top ten are martial arts extravaganza Hero, hit animated movie The Incredibles and the Michael Mann thriller Collateral.

'Wondrous turn'

Meanwhile Tom Brook, host of BBC News 24's Talking Movies, named Mike Leigh's Vera Drake as his film of the year.

The film presenter praised the film for "its original story, great art direction, ensemble acting and wondrous turn from Imelda Staunton".

Also appearing in his top ten were The Motorcycle Diaries at number two, Martin Scorsese's The Aviator at number four, and Alexander Payne's quirky wine comedy, Sideways, widely tipped for Oscar glory was at six.