Premiere Date: October 9, 2007
Synopsis
49 Up is the seventh film in a series of landmark documentaries that began 42 years ago when UK-based Granada's World in Action team, inspired by the Jesuit maxim "Give me the child until he is seven and I will give you the man," interviewed a diverse group of seven-year-old children from all over England, asking them about their lives and their dreams for the future. Michael Apted, a researcher for the original film, has returned to interview the "children" every seven years since, at ages 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and now again at age 49.
In this latest chapter, more life-changing decisions are revealed, more shocking announcements made and more of the original group take part than ever before, speaking out on a variety of subjects including love, marriage, career, class and prejudice.
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Filmmaker
There aren't many pieces of work, especially in film, that have the patience or the longevity or the time to honor the drama of ordinary life; and after all, the drama of what we all have to go through — children, jobs, marriage, the things that touch us — is the big drama of life, far more so than the drama of movies and television.”
— Michael Apted
Buy the Film
Film Update
October 9, 2007
Critical Acclaim
The Up series [is] perhaps the most original and innovative enterprise in the history of documentary film.”
— Richard Schickel, Time Magazine
Reviews & Reactions
Average Review
| based on 8 reviews
Hold Me Tight,Let Me Go
Very powerful film ! The Mulberry School and staff deserve high praise, also the film maker. I was deeply moved by the children and brought to tears with the need to know how they are doing now. Thank you for the information that 3 are in foster care and attending mainstream schools. I am still thinking about Alex, he touched my heart.
Thank you PBS......
by Joan Cook
July 31, 2009, 9:48 PM
Read my Review
Nevermind Don't Read My Review. -SMC Room 203, English 1 DriSColl
by JabadeeJAB from OKAPOKO, Mexico
October 19, 2009, 9:21 PM
Can't wait for 56up
I have been watching since they were 14 and it is facinating .... I only wish it was me
by Graham from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
October 21, 2009, 6:12 AM
This series represents the most responsible and compelling use of the medium of television that I have ever seen.
by John from El Paso, TX
October 31, 2009, 1:19 PM
It`s the best documentary I ever seen!!!
Michael, thank you very much for such a nice, wonderful, amazing film about humans` life. It`s so emotional.
Greetings from Russia.
Waiting for the 56Up very much!!!
by Tanya from Orel, Russia
November 11, 2009, 3:32 PM
Excellent series!!
I came across 7-UP on Netflix and have since watched the entire series. Completely rivoting, I am completely fascinated--like reality television before it even existed. I can't wait to see 56 UP!
by Claudia from Norwood, NJ
November 15, 2009, 1:05 PM
It is 6am New Years Day morning 2010 and I have just stayed up the entire night watching the vast majority of this captivating series. I simply felt compelled to do so - perhaps motivated by a nostalgic review of another year gone by. Thus, I can only imagine the terror that seven years must evoke...! I have the utmost respect and warmth for the participants and laughed out loud many times at their witty, understated and largely self-depracating humor. How difficult it must be to candidly answer such large questions about over-arching issues in one's life. If I do manage an hour or two of sleep this morning, I think I will surely awake with a charming British accent. One can hope.
by Patty R. from Helena, MT
January 1, 2010, 8:42 AM
7 up in england
this is a film to watch and most anyone reading these reveiws have in fact watched one if not all produced. the audience is privilaged to enter into a pre-reality tv documentry of children is awe inspiring and disturbing mostly. the young 7 year olds in prep school are comical to say the least and at most are the future members of the faculties that instilled great virtues and abilities only to maintain a society of immobile growth that tends to be more centered on money and power regulating the hopes and dreams of our nations.
by Jennifer from gulfport, mississippi
January 5, 2010, 4:33 PM