This is a one off topping of my own post, but reading will explain why…
by Allan Fish
(UK 1964/1970/1977/1985/1991/1998/2005 715m) DVD1/2
Aka: 7 Up, 7 Plus 7, 21 Up, 28 Up, 35 Up, 42 Up, 49 Up
Give me the child for seven years and I shall show you the man
p Michael Apted, Derek Granger, Margaret Bottomley, Steve Morrison, Ruth Pitt, Clair Lewis, Bill Jones, Stephen Lambert d Paul Almond, Michael Apted narrated by Derek Cooper, Wilfrid Thomas, Michael Apted,
Bruce Balden, Jacqueline Bassett, Simon Basterfield, Andrew Brackfield, Neil Hughes, Lynn Johnson, Paul Kligerman, Suzanne Lusk, Tony Walker, John Brisby, Peter Davies, Susan Davis, Charles Furneaux, Nicholas Hitchon,
The beginnings were humble, a programme in the weekly TV current affairs show World in Action which wanted to take a look at the executives and shop stewards of the year 2000 by looking at a group of seven year olds. They were taken from a vast range of backgrounds, from highly upper class prep schools to urban primary schools in London and Liverpool, and even to a one room school in the Yorkshire Dales. There was only meant to be one film, but through Michael Apted it became a life’s commitment for both him and his subjects. Every seven years Apted would take a few months out to catch up with them, and filming those who agreed to be filmed.
There is a strange irony that lay at the heart of the show. In looking ahead to the people of 2000, what 7 Up actually did was point the way to the reality TV obsessions of the new millennium. Here was reality TV before the term was invented, and there’s no doubt that for the subjects it has been a double edge sword, priceless as a record, a testimony, a family album on film for posterity, but agonising in its invasions of privacy and in dredging up events in their pasts they would perhaps like to draw a line under. Apted’s intentions are undeniably honourable and he must be commended for his incredible desire to see his baby through, taking time off from his movie career to return to his Granada home every seven years, but one senses a change, a shift in focus of the series in the recent updates. It was once a political notion to see what advantages an upper-class upbringing and education afforded some children. Though the class system remains, the surety of people’s futures does not, and thus the series has, to these eyes, become more interesting as a study of people, of individual concerns, frailties and aspirations, and coming to see whether they realise them or fall short. It even at times changes Apted, and he’s forced to come to terms with the fact that he may not be presenting these people as they are, but as he wants to see them. What we thus get is an enterprise as much uplifting as it is dispiriting, and in coming to realise perhaps the very futility and transience of life itself. As one of our protagonists observes, they just want to know they’ve “left some sort of print, rather than just live out my life.”
One was reminded of Tim’s final words to camera in The Office; “life isn’t about endings, is it? It’s a series of moments…if you turn the camera off, it’s not an ending is it? I’m still here. My life is not over. Come back here in ten years. See how I’m doing then.” That in essence is exactly what 7 Up did. All the names listed above as ‘cast’ members deserve our plaudits, and yet it’s one everyone remembers. Just as in tapestry novels or plays adapted for TV, there’s always one who falls on hard times, and Up’s Charles Stringham, Sebastian Flyte, call him what you will, is Neil Hughes. His descent to homelessness and depression was literally heartbreaking. So imagine my surprise when, only yesterday, I sat down on a train to Blackpool and found Neil diagonally opposite. I didn’t bother him; he’d doubtless had people staring and thinking “aren’t you?…” all his adult life. He looked fidgety, melancholy, fingering in his pocket for a half-eaten Mars bar, taking only one bite before replacing it. I got up to get off ten minutes later without saying a word, but as I passed him, while he was looking out of the window and not even noticing I was even there, I thought to myself “you’re an inspiration.” You can keep your directors and stars on the red carpet, none of them would be travelling standard class. I’d seen a real hero, and that was more than enough for me. TV has never been the same since 7 Up.
I’ve actually seen the first three films of the series and consider myself a fan. I greatly admire Apted’s tenacity in staying the course with this remarkable project, and agree completely that this was reality television before the form became known as such.
Do I dare say Apted’s stamina lasted longer than yours – 3 films, watch the other four.
Only joking (note the smiley face), but you should watch them all really, but to really have the impact all seven need watching in close proximity, so I understand this is unlikely to be possible.
I return a year later to say that I have seen nearly all of them, and have tentative plans to watch 56 UP later tonight at the IFC.
Yeah it’s funny – I first saw the series just before 49 Up premiered at the NYFF (this was actually coincidence, unplanned) and my roommates became just as fascinated with the series as I was, watching along with me. Today they arrive in L.A. And mentioned seeing the movie while visiting. I’m not sure we will; the film is long and our time is short, but regardless, I will report back here when I see 56 Up. I was surprised and worried to see Allan mention above that the series might cease. Back when 49 Up played in NY, I saw Apted speak and he made it sound like the series would outlive him, with his son possibly my tsking the reigns on the assumption that the subjects, 15 years younger, outlived him. While what we have is great, it would be disappointing NOT to have the Up series follow these “characters” off into the sunset, although on the other hand it would be a blessing & relief not to face their mortality and, by implication, our own. That said, this series has never been one to flinch before the truths & pains of human life.
Oddly enough, in some ways the saddest episode to me seems 21 Up as the subjects’ hopes, dreams, fears, disappointments are at their most acute. Later as they settle & grow into and accept their lives the episodes have a more contented feel, by and large. Interesting on this note that I first saw the series myself at 21.
Wow. Amazing story Mr. Fish, I don’t know if I’d be that respectful if I ever found anyone I recognice (I have, but I just look away since I’m so shy).
I always wanted to watch this series of TV films. When is the next one coming up?
Well, rumour has it that there will be no 56 Up. The subjects I think have largely had enough and it can’t go on forever – Apted is 71 now – so I think 49 ended it.
According to Apted, 56 Up is expected to have its broadcast premiere from 13 to 15 May 2012.[1]
Huhn.
Then the rumours are wrong. That’s excellent news.
A very nice piece here Allan, one of your absolute best I’d think.
Since you’ve mentioned this the past few days I’ve looked it up and I’ve found I was familiar with it, or at least knew of its premise. I’ve never seen it obviously but will do so now, thanks for the heads up.
Obviously the piece was written a while ago and then redrafted in light of yesterday’s encounter. I didn’t necessarily want to top the countdown piece but there was no choice if I wanted to fit it in as quickly as the encounter deserved.
I stopped at 42Up, after starting to follow the series from 7Up in 1971. I stopped because of Neil, who if I recall correctly was still living in the caravan alone with his pain. It was Neil’s agony and Apted’s albeit well-intentioned voyeurism that made me stop.
One thread that is clearly evident and a sociological testament is the robust rigidity of the British class-system, with Thatcher and Blair doing their utmost to give it a giddy-up.
What you come away with is what you will find if you go to a school reunion after 30 or 40 years. Best leave the past alone and let the dead bury the dead.
It becomes an increasingly hard watch, Tony, and the reasons you espouse here are pretty much why I said nothing when I saw him. I don’t believe in a God, or I’d have said God Bless to myself as I left.
Neil’s life improves with later episodes. While he obviously still has some issues, he rejoins society to a certain extent and is even elected to local office! It’s hardly a Hollywood ending but it is a nice reminder that sometimes in life, tragedy is averted, reversed, or (most likely) muddled through.
I’m the same age as the subjects of the series, and I can honestly write that you have captured the experience of watching oneself get old/on–in my case, by proxy. I know it would break my heart to have such a record of my own life; but another part of me would welcome such a record–and the opportunity, every seven years, to rise to the occasion of still being alive. (And yes, Neil Hughes is the hero–well, my hero–of the series. I could not have contained myself as you did: I would have succumbed to “God blesses” all around, and tears and a completely inappropriate hug and all kinds of embarrassments. I can barely look at his face without tearing up in pity and admiration. Sisyphus with his rock does not cut a more heroic figure.)
Neil Hughes is a great man and I admire him immensely. He’s definitely my favorite from the series. I know in 49 Up, the light in his eyes that was obvious in the first installment was apparent once again. He seemed so at peace with everything, and that was great to see. I’m so pleased that he’s found a place where he enjoys living, and that he is content with his dual roles as lay-preacher and councillor. He’s truly inspirational, a real hero, and I have to give him props for working to make his community a better place.
I must say that I don’t think I could have said nothing if I saw him in person…likely I would have made a blustering teary fool of myself and would have probably scared him to death. I’m impressed by your composure.
Looking back from a year later, I can see that I left only a cursory comment responding to another, so let me use this occasion to say that it’s a wonderful piece, especially that moving conclusion, on a show which has had a huge impact on me. In fact, I’m surprised it’s so low on this list! Would have thought it’d be top 10…
I’ve just watched the third and final part of 56 Up. What an amazing series. I know it started out as a class comparison, but I have mostly enjoyed just watching these people grow up. I count the transformation of Suzy from the ages of 21 to 28 to be one of the show’s greatest surprises/moments. And as the participants have stated – it’s hard when people think they know what you are like, having only seen you for fifteen or so minutes every seven years. That being said, I can’t help but see Sue as maybe the sweetest person in the series.