Pacino gets star billing in film fans' top 100

The greatest 100 film stars in history were unveiled last night as a testosterone-dominated clique led by Al Pacino and with no female talent inside the top 10.

The highest-placed woman in a Channel 4 survey broadcast was Audrey Hepburn, who gained 13th place in a list that included only two actresses in the top 20.

Such was the predominance of male actors, women gained only 27 places in the entire list, although Julia Roberts (29th) was judged to be a better performer than Marlon Brando (30th).

Channel 4 defended the survey by saying that it showed how modern actors, apparently regardless of sex, were considered equal to or better than bygone heroes.

The list was compiled from 25,000 votes placed on a website and by text message over a six-week period from candidates put forward by a panel of critics and film makers. The top five consisted of Pacino, gritty star of The Godfather series, followed by Robert De Niro, Tom Hanks, Kevin Spacey and Harrison Ford.

Cary Grant was the most popular dead star, in 10th place, followed by James Stewart (12th) and Steve McQueen (14th). Humphrey Bogart was back in 36th spot.

John Piper, the director of the Channel 4 show, said: "Although all the classic greats are there, the top five demonstrates that there are now modern greats who are established and are recognised alongside the classic movie stars."

British actors accounted for three of the top 10 places, led by Sir Anthony Hopkins, catapulted into the popular consciousness by his roles as the serial killer Hannibal Lecter. The youngest actor in the top 10, ahead of Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, was 32-year-old Ewan McGregor (ninth).

Unsurprisingly, the survey was dominated by American talent, which accounted for 75 places. There was, though, recognition of the influence of Indian film making, with the Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan taking 92nd place.