The "Up" documentary series (Seven Up! to 63 Up)

[Mel O'Drama]

Sadly, but maybe appropriately as 70 is a nice round number and it will be a tribute to Michael Apted, the next instalment of the series will be the last.

That's disappointing. I realise participant numbers are beginning to dwindle and will continue to do so at this stage of life, and also that there is arguably less ground to cover as people's lives get calmer and less active. Still, though, I feel this is a waste The premise of the documentary lends itself to running for as long as its subjects are alive, and this series was uniquely placed to cover a whole life cycle.

I realise this may read as morbid, but I would find it interesting to see people reflect on their lives as they face the inevitability of death.

Also, I don't know how this can be said with any degree of certainty. A lot can happen in seven years, and it's quite likely that someone, somewhere would find 77 Up and beyond too tempting an opportunity to pass up. Even Michael Apted himself expressed a desire "to do 84 Up when I'll be 99".

Still, though, I'll take what's offered and will very much look forward to watching 70 Up.

 

[Angela Channing]

That's disappointing. I realise participant numbers are beginning to dwindle and will continue to do so at this stage of life, and also that there is arguably less ground to cover as people's lives get calmer and less active. Still, though, I feel this is a waste The premise of the documentary lends itself to running for as long as its subjects are alive, and this series was uniquely placed to cover a whole life cycle.

I realise this may read as morbid, but I would find it interesting to see people reflect on their lives as they face the inevitability of death.

Also, I don't know how this can be said with any degree of certainty. A lot can happen in seven years, and it's quite likely that someone, somewhere would find 77 Up and beyond too tempting an opportunity to pass up. Even Michael Apted himself expressed a desire "to do 84 Up when I'll be 99".

Still, though, I'll take what's offered and will very much look forward to watching 70 Up.

I agree there is more scope for this series of documentaries beyond 70 Up especially as many people today can expect to live well into their 80s and 90s. It would be fascinating to see how the uppers were coping with the challenges of old age in different ways and their reflections on their lives and the world as they enter their twilight years.

However, I think the problem with the last instalment was that the update was told over 2 episodes when the lives of many of the participants had become relatively uneventful and less interesting. A shorter, more focused single hour programme may have worked better. I also think now would be a opportunity to try something different with the format of the show and instead of recounting tales of retirement, tending their gardens and playing with grandchildren, they could more explore their views on a range of issues and how they may have been influenced by the different lives they lived. Also, getting the Uppers together to compare and contrast on each other's lives and experiences of the series, even if it was only possible to do this virtually, would be interesting.

That said, if the series has to end early, one final episode after Michael Apted's death to conclude his work does feel like an appropriate point to do it.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

I think the problem with the last instalment was that the update was told over 2 episodes when the lives of many of the participants had become relatively uneventful and less interesting. A shorter, more focused single hour programme may have worked better.

Yes, I completely agree with this. And I see that 70 Up, too, is going to run over two parts to total three hours. But...

I also think now would be a opportunity to try something different with the format of the show and instead of recounting tales of retirement, tending their gardens and playing with grandchildren, they could more explore their views on a range of issues and how they may have been influenced by the different lives they lived. Also, getting the Uppers together to compare and contrast on each other's lives and experiences of the series, even if it was only possible to do this virtually, would be interesting.

I'm hoping that the claim of this being the final episode will allow for this to happen. If the series is concluding at this point there needs to be some closure, and I feel the most effective way to bring this about would be for the subjects to reflect on the process as a whole, ideally as a group.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

An article on 70 Up, which is to air on Tuesday. Participants are discussed, so there may be spoilers for anyone who hasn't been following news of the Uppers since the last film:

70 Up: Curtain falls on documentary that has captivated Brits for six decades

70 Up is the final instalment in a series which began in 1964 and has followed the lives of 14 people.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Barbara Fan]

I havent watched it all yet but Neils story is the stand out, most poignant and moving for me from that cute little boy aged 7 with big dreams and life didnt pan out quite as he wished. I hope he is happy living in France and i also read that when he was down on his luck another seven up participant stepped into help

Bruce Balden, who as a seven-year-old had spoken about wanting to help people less fortunate than himself, reached out after seeing what Neil was going through. Bruce gave Neil somewhere to stay in London and later helped him find a basement flat in Hackney.
Neil subsequently completed a degree through the Open University and became involved in politics.
Looking back on Bruce's support, Neil said simply:
“Bruce was a great help.”

I also take my hat off to Symon who spent his childhood in foster care and went on to foster 130 kids

The poem Bruce read out from his father was incredibly moving.

Just heart warming

 

[Angela Channing]

The Up series is as brilliant, as always. It's sad that this is the end but if it has to finish, 70 Up seems to be the right point to do it. Watching the new episode this week, I realised I first started watching the series at 28 Up so this series as been something I've looked forward to for 42 years and the latest instalment didn't disappoint, Asif Kapadia did a great job filling the shoes of Michael Apted and brought a new energy to the production. I thought it was faster moving, the recaps seemed to work better than before and the overall reflective tone was nicely done. I had forgotten how direct and judgmental Michael Apted had been in his questioning of the Uppers in the previous episodes and I can totally understand why some of them had previously decided to end their participation.

Neil never disappoints. Every 7 years he seems to have the most changes in his life and I'm pleased that he now seems content with life in his French home. Paul and Symon, both seem like really nice people even though they must have had a difficult early life growing up in a children's home. It was nice that Lynn featured quite prominently in the episode, even though she had died several years back.

Looking forward to next week's show because I read that they turn the tables a bit and the Uppers discuss Michael Apted. Should be fascinating.