The 43rd National Board of Review Awards were announced on January 3, 1972.

Top Ten Films

1. Macbeth
2. The Boy Friend
3. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
4. The French Connection
5. The Last Picture Show
6. Nicholas and Alexandra
7. The Go-Between
8. King Lear
9. The Tales of Beatrix Potter
10. Death in Venice

Top Foreign Films

1. Claire's Knee
2. Bed and Board
3. The Clowns
4. The Garden of the Finzi-Continis
5. The Conformist

Winners

• Best Film:
  • Macbeth
• Best Foreign Film:
  • Claire's Knee
• Best Actor:
  • Gene Hackman - The French Connection
• Best Actress:
  • Irene Papas - The Trojan Women
• Best Supporting Actor:
  • Ben Johnson - The Last Picture Show
• Best Supporting Actress:
  • Cloris Leachman - The Last Picture Show
• Best Director:
  • Ken Russell - The Devils, The Boy Friend