The 42nd National Board of Review Awards were announced on January 3, 1971.

Top Ten Films

1. Patton
2. Kes
3. Women in Love
4. Five Easy Pieces
5. Ryan's Daughter
6. I Never Sang for My Father
7. Diary of a Mad Housewife
8. Love Story
9. The Virgin and the Gypsy
10. Tora! Tora! Tora!

Top Foreign Films

1. The Wild Child
2. My Night at Maud's
3. The Passion of Anna
4. The Confession
5. This Man Must Die

Winners

• Best Film:
  • Patton
• Best Foreign Film:
  • The Wild Child
• Best Actor:
  • George C. Scott - Patton
• Best Actress:
  • Glenda Jackson - Women in Love
• Best Supporting Actor:
  • Frank Langella - Diary of a Mad Housewife, The Twelve Chairs
• Best Supporting Actress:
  • Karen Black - Five Easy Pieces
• Best Director:
  • François Truffaut - The Wild Child