What Is 1979 National Board of Review Awards

Overview

The 1979 National Board of Review Awards recognized excellence in cinematic achievements from films released during that year. As one of the earliest major award announcements in the film season, the NBR's selections often serve as a precursor to the Academy Awards.

Selected by a panel of film critics, academics, and industry professionals, the awards highlighted performances and direction that stood out for emotional depth, technical skill, and storytelling innovation. The 1979 winners reflected a strong year for character-driven dramas and socially relevant narratives.

• Kramer vs. Kramer was named Best Picture, praised for its realistic portrayal of divorce and parental custody struggles in late-1970s America.
• Dustin Hoffman won Best Actor for his role as Ted Kramer, a work-obsessed father learning to raise his young son alone.
• Meryl Streep earned Best Actress honors for dual standout performances in 'Kramer vs. Kramer' and 'The Seduction of Joe Tynan'.
• The Best Director award went to Robert Benton, who also wrote the screenplay, marking a rare dual achievement in the same year.
• Best Foreign Language Film was awarded to 'The Tin Drum' (Germany), a controversial and visually striking adaptation of the novel by Günter Grass.

How It Works

The National Board of Review selects its annual award winners through a voting process conducted by its membership, which includes film historians, critics, and educators. The process emphasizes artistic merit over box office performance or popularity.

• Selection Panel: A diverse group of over 250 members evaluates films released in the calendar year, focusing on narrative strength and technical execution.
• Eligibility Period: Only films with a New York theatrical release between January 1 and December 31, 1979, were considered for the 1979 awards.
• Voting Process: Members submit ballots after private screenings, and winners are determined by a majority vote in each category.
• Announcement Timing: The winners were revealed in December 1979, several weeks before other major award shows, giving them significant influence on Oscar buzz.
• Ceremony Date: The formal awards dinner was held in January 1980 at a New York City venue, attended by many of the honorees.
• Categories Recognized: The NBR awarded 10 major categories in 1979, including Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Best Foreign Film.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 1979 NBR winners with other major awards reveals both alignment and divergence in critical opinion.

The table shows that while the NBR and Oscars aligned on Best Picture, Actor, and Director, they diverged on Best Actress and Best Foreign Language Film. This highlights the NBR's tendency to recognize multiple performances by a single actor in a given year, whereas the Academy limits nominations to one per person.

Why It Matters

The 1979 National Board of Review Awards played a pivotal role in shaping the film awards season, lending early credibility to 'Kramer vs. Kramer' as a serious Oscar contender.

• Boosted Oscar Campaigns: Winning an NBR award often increases a film's visibility and marketing potential during the competitive awards season.
• Highlighted Critical Consensus: The NBR’s choices signaled to industry voters that character-driven dramas were resonating strongly with critics.
• Spotlight on Meryl Streep: The dual recognition solidified Streep’s status as a rising star, even though she didn’t win the Oscar that year.
• Foreign Film Influence: By honoring 'The Tin Drum,' the NBR brought attention to politically charged European cinema in the U.S. market.
• Legacy of 'Kramer vs. Kramer': The film went on to win 5 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, validating the NBR's early endorsement.
• Historical Benchmark: The 1979 awards reflect a turning point in American cinema toward more nuanced, socially conscious storytelling.

Today, the National Board of Review remains a respected voice in film criticism, and its 1979 awards continue to be studied as a snapshot of cinematic excellence at the end of a transformative decade.