Sign in

Recommendations

Recommendations Trending New releases Full reviews TCI list PSIs

Explore

Rate more Full database Filmmakers Collections Starred reviews Games

Resources

News Stats Submit a title Feeds & exports Import your ratings Info & guides

49 Up

49 Up

Suggest an edit

Your probable score

How is my PSI calculated?

49 Up

49 Up

2005

Documentary

TV Movie

3h 0m

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. (First Run Features)

Directed by:

Starring:

Susan Sullivan, Bruce Balden, Jacqueline Bassett, Symon Basterfield, Andrew Brackfield, Suzanne Dewey, Paul Kligerman, Tony Walker, Charles Furneaux, Nicholas Hitchon, Neil Hughes, Lynn Johnson

Franchise:

Genre:

Country:

Language:

Suggest an edit

on the Criterion Collection

49 Up

2005

Documentary

TV Movie

3h 0m

Your probable score

Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Average Percentile: 73.01%

Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Average Percentile: 73.01%

Ratings & Reviews

Compact view

djross

07 Dec 2008

The ethics of this project bother me. Furthermore, while audiences may indeed be "fascinated", this fascination mainly reflects the fact that these films have become a kind of glorified soap opera, where the viewer "checks in" to see how his or her favourite characters are doing. In short, there is something unpleasant going on here, and the remaining participants seem increasingly reluctant and uncomfortable. Each episode reinforces these things that little bit more.

07 Dec 2008

Report

KasperL

17 Oct 2013

I can't decide whether this or '21 Up' is the best of the bunch. '21 Up' is more intense, certainly. By now Apted's interviewees have come into their own and all of them seem rather satisfied with their lives. The filmmaking is very tight, the clips - covering the usual themes - are cut together with minute precision. Also, there are some worthwhile observations about what sort of an impact the series has made on the participants' lives and their frustrations about being part of the project.

17 Oct 2013

Report

OfTheAllies

17 Sep 2015

One of the weaker entries in the "Up" series. Most of the participants' lives haven't changed much since 42 and it's clear Apted struggled with this lack of drama. Instead of trying to approach his subjects from a new angle, he attempted to create some interest in other ways. It's so strange to see elements from modern reality television shows pop up in the series that inspired that entire genre. That said, the end of Jackie's segment is easily one my favorite moments in entire series.

17 Sep 2015

Report

omgfridge

20 Jan 2010

Intriguing to no end. Some real opinions are presented now. "The Up Series" concept is a thought provoking look at the social structure.

20 Jan 2010

Report

hellsditch

13 Dec 2008

About on par with the past 2. The reality is that most of these people, at age 49, have settled down. The big lifestyle change at this point seems to be the addition of grandchildren. The subjects, while still interesting, are not making any more major life changes. The most notable part of "49" was Jackie's confrontation with Michael over her portrayal in the previous films, which brought a much-needed freshness to a series which must, by its nature, constantly show recycled footage.

13 Dec 2008

Report

prowler

18 Oct 2008

best one since 21 up

18 Oct 2008

Report

klintworth

21 Sep 2026

Reviewing this as I watch Jackie's outburst against Apted and I imagine that many viewers will take her side. Not this viewer. Apted's reply is correct — what has he misrepresented about her life? More likely is the fact that his representation is too honest — with interviewee embarrassed about prior choices and the fact that they may have been broadcast to the world. Equally interesting, as a concession, is the interplay between Apted as interviewer, Jackie as interviewer, a... - Full Review

21 Sep 2026

Report

Ceekay19

08 Dec 2020

Neil Hughes: "Perhaps there isn't actually any more to life than that, and just being what you are. You must realize that life goes all around, and there are millions of other creatures who must find their parts as well."

08 Dec 2020

Report

AgentSnipe

27 May 2020

The "7 Up" series is often a challenging watch. Challenging in a meta way in terms of the merits/detriments of this experiment and unprecedented documentary form. But also challenging in an existential way. The kids we saw at 7 are now 49. This series is not enlightening in the way that investigative documentaries are, but it's enlightening in that you observe that life and the passage of time just unfolds before us all; sometimes seemingly without meaning and sometimes with profound meaning.

27 May 2020

Report

glumpy_99

27 Apr 2020

Another compelling chapter "finding the man"; as always, checking in with this group is an absolute pleasure and this entry is notable for the way Apted's subjects are beginning to reflect on what a strange impact their specific kind of celebrity has had on their lives (and how the performative aspects of the mid-00s reality TV boom are starting to effect the group's interactions with Apted). Oddly it's plummy John who emerges as the most rounded (and likable) of the group this time.

27 Apr 2020

Report

Want to see all 290 ratings for 49 Up?

Cast & Info

Directed by:

Starring:

Susan Sullivan, Bruce Balden, Jacqueline Bassett, Symon Basterfield, Andrew Brackfield, Suzanne Dewey, Paul Kligerman, Tony Walker, Charles Furneaux, Nicholas Hitchon, Neil Hughes, Lynn Johnson

Franchise:

Genre:

Country:

Language:

Suggest an edit

Loading ...

Similar Titles

Hide Rated Titles

Loading ...

Statistics

Loading ...

Trailer

Loading ...