THE neo-Western “No Country for Old Men” was cited as best picture and for best ensemble cast yesterday by the National Board of Review in the country’s oldest film awards.

Mostly a group of movie buffs, the board doesn’t have a great track record as an Oscar predictor, but its choices are closely watched in a wide-open year.

George Clooney and Julie Christie were chosen best actor and best actress for playing an ethically challenged lawyer in “Michael Clayton” and an Alzheimer’s patient in “Away From Her,” respectively.

Tim Burton was named best director for the musical “Sweeney Todd,” while awards for best supporting actress went to Casey Affleck (“The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”) and Amy Ryan (“Gone Baby Gone”).