"49 Up" is the seventh film in a series of documentaries that began 42 years ago when 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. 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.
“Amazing. . . the spectacle, as in time-lapse photography, of human beings taking shape before our eyes.”
–Molly Haskell, Vogue“One of the towering achievements in the history of documentary film.”
–Philadelphia Inquirer“On my list of ten greatest films of all time!”
–Roger Ebert“Possibly the most exciting use of the documentary medium ever!”
–New York Daily News“One of the most rewarding and uplifting programs I’ve ever seen. It makes you feel better about the human race.”
–London Sunday Times
The entire UP Series (Seven UP through 42 UP) is currently available in a DVD box set from First Run Features.