Longitudes and Attitudes

42 years ago, Michael Apted began filming a group of seven year-olds plucked from the extremes of the British class system. Since then, he’s followed their lives with a new film every seven years. What began as a one-off BBC program has become one of the most important histories on film, and a prototype for our reality-TV culture. On the occasion of 49Up’s opening this weekend, Apted speaks to Bob about the series. Complete transcript here. (Radio show – “On the Media”) When you are at the transcript you can click on “Listen Now” and hear the story as well as read it.

October 11, 2006 by Uncategorized 4

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4 Responses

  1. Bibliofuture says:
    October 11, 2006 at 11:29 am

    Link to series
    The Up Series (Seven Up / 7 Plus Seven / 21 Up / 28 Up / 35 Up / 42 Up) *

    The story that “On the Media” is talking about, 49Up, is not out on DVD yet.

    Reply
  2. Bibliofuture says:
    October 11, 2006 at 11:36 am

    What Ebert has to say
    The Up Documentaries

    They also strike me as an inspired, even noble, use of the film medium. No other art form can capture so well the look in an eye, the feeling in an expression, the thoughts that go unspoken between the words. To look at these films, as I have every seven years, is to meditate on the astonishing fact that man is the only animal that knows it lives in time.

    See complete review using the link above.

    Reply
  3. opaqueentity says:
    October 11, 2006 at 8:59 pm

    Re:Link to series
    But it is out on the 14th of November.

    Having seen it when it was on tv originally it’s interesting but understandably the adults seem a lot less interested in it as they were. Not surprising when you look at the failed marriages etc that have occured.
    Vital piece of social history though I’d agree, hopefully some of them will continue to be involved.

    Reply
  4. curleygirl says:
    October 17, 2006 at 6:47 pm

    Re:Link to series
    I watched 7Up years ago on PBS and what I think was 21Up and 28Up. Last year I re-watched those plus 14 Up–through 42Up. I’m looking forward to 49Up. I think it’s one of the most interesting film series ever, although I too can understand the reluctance of some of the people interviewed. A few of the stories are very heartbreaking.

    Reply

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