User reviews

Such a sad but beautiful portrayal of those of us that do, have and will suffer with such illnesses. The remembering of certain facts only adds to the sadness when in general this would enthuse an audience. Well written and fantastic acting.

Glenda Jackson makes her return to screen acting after 27 years. During that time she became an elected Labour MP and Minister of State for Transport.

It is easy to dismiss this as a drama of an old woman with advancing dementia. Elizabeth is Missing shares somewhat with Christopher Nolan's Memento. Maud is suffering from dementia. The missing memories means she has no idea as to what has happened to her friend Elizabeth.

Maud's search for Elizabeth also unlocks deeply buried memories of another mystery in Maud's past. That of her older sister who has been missing since 1949.

As the drama goes on, I sort of guessed what may have happened to Elizabeth. Maud's behaviour such as her constant gardening leads to a more interesting story.

Jackson claims that she understood the devastation of dementia from the old people's homes she visited during her time as a politician. You can tell you are watching a master craftsman at work, just watch her gait as Maud goes searching for her friend.

I am so glad to see Glenda Jackson back on the box, hard to believe she's 83 here, still has such gravitas as an actress, terrific to watch. Overall I thought this was excellent, at times hard to watch because of the subject material, but ultimately rewarding. Twenty seven years away from tv, and nothing has changed.

If I'd had any sense I would have saved this for Christmas day, as it's not the most amazing schedule imaginable. However I watched it, and loved it. Refreshing to watch a one off ninety minute drama, I miss this format, not always do you want to watch a seven part drama, this was a nice change up.

Watching this and having a family member who suffers with dementia brought it home just how tough it really is.

Some uncomfortable scenes, but a great story, and of course the wonderful Glenda Jackson, a winner. 9/10

It must be said when it comes to making dramas the BBC very rarely fails. This was brilliant.

Maud is a mother and grandmother tackling life's daily challenges only in reality she is in the depths of dementia. The story centres around Maud trying to find her friend Elizabeth who has gone missing. Nobody seems to care apart from Maud and the frustration she feels is very evident. The current events are also triggering past memories of another missing person in Maud's life but I won't say anymore about that.

Glenda Jackson is absolutely amazing as Maud. My husband actually asked me if she has dementia in real life, her performance is so convincing.

Losing a parent to dementia is a fear every person must contemplate at some point and this drama echoes that fear with unabashed realism.

This is an emotional ride you won't forget in a hurry. A must see.

I watched this last night and Glenda Jackson is heartbreakingly superb as the Alzheimer's victim, Maud. It follows her as she attempts to find out what has happened to her friend, Elizabeth, and how this current mystery induces flashbacks and repressed memories surrounding the disappearance of her sister 70 years ago. It highlights the strain that families undergo whilst living with a loved one with dementia, and how life itself becomes a mystery to the sufferer.

Glenda Jackson puts on an incredible performance; at times the film is emotionally distressing and makes for difficult viewing. Her portrayal of how Alzheimer's erodes the sufferer's core personality, replacing it with a violent stranger, is worthy of a BAFTA. The secondary mystery of what happened to her sister all those years ago is beautifully intertwined with the present day storyline. This is definitely worth a watch, but make sure you have you tissues on standby.

Obviously some viewers did not understand. It is not for not telling the old lady that it is the old lady who always forgets where Elizabeth is when she is ill. She can only remember the fact that "Elizabeth is gone". The fact that she can be remembered is because her sister is "lost." This knot has always troubled her. The perspective of the entire film is the perspective of the old lady, in order to highlight the characteristics often forgotten.

I watched this stunningly powerful film with tears running down my cheeks. This is a no holds barred portrait of an elderly woman desperately trying to remember events of her youth while suffering with dementia. There are super supporting performances, especially from Helen Behan, as the put upon daughter dealing with the daily pain and trauma of seeing her beloved mother deteriorate. However, this is a tour de force performance from Glenda Jackson as Maudie. Her performance is raw and heartbreaking. Ms Jackson is still one of the world's greatest actors. Please watch this.

As a made for TV drama this trip down memories lanes is exceptional. Glenda's silent scream, in the restaurant about halfway through the movie highlights the agony of not being in control of the senses and memories.

Glenda Jackson's friend Elizabeth s missing but no one pays any attention what Maude (Glenda) is saying They dismiss her. By the way Maude has dementia and has notes all over reminding her what to do and not to do. She lives in a state of haphazard order and with a feeling of futility. This crusade to find Elizabeth only makes her feel even more helpless and yet with a firm resolve to do SOMETHING.

She is also remembering her sister who mysteriously disappeared years ago. What happened to her?

For fans of Glenda Jackson, this is a must-see. Glenda is spectacular. I predict she will be winning awards for this. In fact, she has already won British awards for this. Miss this and you miss one of the many great performances of Glenda Jackson.

... depressing and too-slow paced. Esp. seeing Jackson, who I remember from decades ago who projected (at that time) a kind of beauty and strength. Here she projects - more than adequately - the decrepitude that awaits many of us. I was somewhat interested in the actual 'mystery' per se, so I fast-forward to get over the repellent parts.

I don't think I have ever written a review before but after watching this I felt compelled to.

Glenda Jackson's portrayal of a lady who has Alzheimers is played fantastically. I have worked with people with dementia/Alzheimers for 20 years. When programs like this come out I always watch and criticise because some performances are laughable. But this one was relatable on so many levels.

Absolutely brilliant. Not the sort of thing I would normally go for (action / adventure / sci-fi) but something about it enticed me to watch it. I'm glad I did. Others have provided better synopsis than me so I'll leave it there, but it is the best thing I've seen on tv for a long time. Glenda Jackson's acting is perfection.

From the sensational cast to the writing, direction and the locations used this is one of the best drama productions the BBC has done for years.

Glenda Jackson is amazing in her first TV role in nearly 30 years. Her portrayal of Maude is heartbreaking and very realistic.

The sadness, defiance, anger, confusion and frustration of Dementia - There are a whole range of emotions on display giving Ms Jackson the chance to show off her stunning range. The girl who plays her grandaughter is excellent too. They work beautifully together. The whole family unit of mother/daughter/grandaughter are realistically portrayed and show how this disease really can destroy everyone it touches.

There are no words to describe how good this TV film is. Breathtakingly powerful scenes.

A BAFTA or 5 will hopefully be awarded to the cast and crew.

The story is solid if somewhat too labyrinthine.

There is an excellent supporting cast with Helen Behan & Nell Williams putting in very strong performances.

Then there is Glenda Jackson wow! Utterly compelling and absolutely plausible, if this had seen higher investment and a cinematic release she'd have the Oscar in the bag! You might need a handkerchief to discreetly dab if you find your face unexpectedly leaking.

It is commendable that BBC is commissioning programmes of such high quality.

An interesting take, on the immensely difficult subject of Dementia. Glenda Jackson, gives a sympathetic and enigmatic performance as an old lady, struggling with the present and the past. It's wonderful to see this talented actress back on our screens - and to see a storyline, that draws you in and keeps you hopeful for an ending - that makes sense of the confusion suffered by a woman who is suffering from this appalling condition.

The lead actor puts in one of the best performances I've ever seen. The crying shame is that people may not give this a chance. But it combines great drama with serious issues that affect many people and their families. The filmography is also on point. You can't help but love the lead character and you will be left happy yet sad.

Elizabeth Is Missing (2019) marks a triumphant return before the cameras for Glenda Jackson, whose last filmed work was done in 1992. The story has Jackson as a woman in the early stages of dementia who is determined to solve the mystery of the disappearance of her friend Elizabeth. Her memory is triggered by objects and music and bits of things that cause to flash back 70 years to the disappearance of her sister. While the two things seem connected to her, to her family she is babbling incoherently. She is dismissed as a senile old woman, but she knows the clues add up. She has all the clues because they're all written down on bits of paper. She also knows she hasn't much time left.

After decades in politics, Jackson returned to acting a few years ago, and she's had major success on the London and New York stages, but this is her first filmed work since her return. At 83, she is still formidable , and she is superb in this TV movie.

Exceptional performance from Glenda Jackson and an original dramatic treatment of the old mystery trope. an old lady's friend goes missing. The lady has dementia and must keep track of things through little notes. Superimposed are her memories of the disparition of her beloved sister in the 40s, some of it memories, some of it meshing with her real world as she sees it. Her family is understanding but doesn't believe her. Who is right, what is true? an interesting mystery as a background for a dramatic descent into mental ageing and disease, treated very thoughtfully and pathetically at the same time. I wasn't going to watch it but I got hooked within 90 seconds. Not to miss, this is BBC at its classic best.

Absolutely brilliant. This drama deserves to be up for some awards and win them. Glenda Jackson is still a superb actress. A difficult subject beautifully portrayed by an ensemble cast. I hope to see more of Glenda Jackson, she has been away too long.

I started watching with little background knowledge regarding the storyline except that it was about an older woman, trying to understand a mystery, while facing the start of Alzheimer's disease.

This movie is so much more. There are actually two stories entwined and often it's us left confused not just Maud. We follow her trying to solve what actually happened through notes she leaves herself.

Glenda Jackson is truly amazing in this role and she is supported by a strong cast who help make her shine. I'm so glad I watched it.