Argo, Les Miserables win best-picture Golden Globes

BEVERLY HILLS, California (AP) - The Iran hostage thriller Argo was a surprise best-drama winner at Sunday's Golden Globes, beating out the Civil War epic Lincoln, which had emerged as an awards-season favourite.

Argo also claimed the directing prize for Ben Affleck, a prize that normally bodes well for an Academy Award win - except he missed out on an Oscar nomination this time.

Affleck's now in an unusual position during Hollywood's long awards season, taking home the top filmmaking trophy at the second-highest film honours knowing he does not have a shot at an Oscar.

And the night left Argo taking home the top prize at the Globes but standing as a longshot for best picture at the Feb 24 Oscars, where films almost never win if their directors are not nominated.