Malcolm and Barbara : love's farewell.

Filmed over 11 years by Paul Watson, this programme follows the progress of Alzheimer disease in a middle-aged man. Malcolm Pointon was a talented musician, composer, radio broadcaster, lecturer and father of two sons when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer disease in 1992 aged only 51. From the early effects of the disease on his memory and emotions we see the effects of his illness as it progresses - the film focuses in particular on how the illness affects his relationship with his wife Barbara who remained his main carer until his death. It is an honest but extremely difficult film to watch because of the devastating nature of the disease itself and because of the window it provides into other people's private suffering.