63 Up

63 Up

Anyone here familiar with the 7 Up and subsequent documentaries?

This was a UK documentary series started in 1964 by director Michael Apted.

The concept was that he would film a group of children in the UK aged 7, from varying backgrounds and different parts of the UK. Some from wealthy homes, some poor, some middle class, some from the North, some from the South etc. He basically interviewed them on various subjects, and questioned them on what they wanted to do when they got older.

Then he would revisit them every 7 years and make a fresh documentary. Which he actually did. It's a fascinating experiment, and a compelling watch. I actually watched it from the very first episode. 

The changes that the group go through are fascinating...sometimes sad, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes tragic. But there are also surprises in the different turns some of the groups lives take. 

I just recieved the latest episode on blu ray...63 Up. Hard to believe the series is still going and the participants are still here (apart, sadly, for one). And more importantly that they are still willing to share their experiences and participate. 

One of the most fascinating social TV experiments ever, and an incredible achievement. I highly recommend watching these if you get the chance. They are utterly fascinating.