The 51st British Academy Film Awards

Elizabeth was honoured with the BAFTA Fellowship at The 51st British Academy Film Awards held at London’s Business Design Centre on April 11, 1999. The highest honour the Academy bestows, it's presented to an individual for “outstanding achievement in the art forms of the moving image”. Elizabeth was only the fourth woman to receive the BAFTA Fellowship for contribution to film since the award was first handed out in 1971 (Jeanne Moreau, Dame Maggie Smith, and Julie Christie preceded her).

It was an emotional return for Elizabeth to the country of her birth—her first time in England in seven years. “It’s so wonderful to be back. It feels like I’ve come home after seven years,” she said, acknowledging that the strict animal quarantine laws in place had kept her away. “I’m here to thank you for this most incredible award, that I never in my lifetime thought I would receive, I guess because I don't think of myself as an actress—and I didn’t think any of you did!” she said with a laugh. “It makes me want to act again!”