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49 Up
49 Up
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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:

Michael Apted

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:

Up Series

Genre:

Documentary

Country:

UK

Language:

English
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49 Up

2005
Documentary
TV Movie
3h 0m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 72.77% from 275 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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djrossdjross
Rated 07 Dec 2008
40
26th
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.
Rated 07 Dec 2008
kasperlKasperL
Rated 17 Oct 2013
85
94th
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.
Rated 17 Oct 2013
ofthealliesOfTheAllies
Rated 17 Sep 2015
70
67th
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.
Rated 17 Sep 2015
omgfridgeomgfridge
Rated 20 Jan 2010
7
64th
Intriguing to no end. Some real opinions are presented now. "The Up Series" concept is a thought provoking look at the social structure.
Rated 20 Jan 2010
hellsditchhellsditch
Rated 13 Dec 2008
81
68th
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.
Rated 13 Dec 2008
prowlerprowler
Rated 18 Oct 2008
75
76th
best one since 21 up
Rated 18 Oct 2008
ceekay19Ceekay19
Rated 08 Dec 2020
70
54th
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."
Rated 08 Dec 2020
agentsnipeAgentSnipe
Rated 27 May 2020
95
99th
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.
Rated 27 May 2020
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 27 Apr 2020
99
97th
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.
Rated 27 Apr 2020
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 03 Jan 2013
84
86th
Having long outgrown its original intent of providing some sort of revealing insight into class differences we come back not looking for answers, but because the subjects have grown into something like old friends to the viewer.
Rated 03 Jan 2013
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 27 Aug 2011
62
20th
Yes, it is a "noble" endeavor, and one that I'm glad exists, but really, the films on their own are mostly pretty dull. It's somewhat rewarding to know that these folk have found some degree of contentment, it just doesn't make for compelling filmmaking. The one interesting thing going on in this film is that it seems to get a bit more meta. Several of the subjects address their involvement in the film, some with a measure of resentment or frustration. These were the most rewarding parts for me.
Rated 27 Aug 2011
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 26 Feb 2011
80
95th
Excellent.
Rated 26 Feb 2011
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 06 Nov 2010
30
78th
"These films affect their subjects not unlike they do their audience, serving not only as reminders of our mortality." - Ed Gonzalez
Rated 06 Nov 2010
neonmanNeonman
Rated 18 Oct 2010
90
92nd
At this age, the subjects (some of whom have returned) are in a state of a little less action and more contemplation over their lives. We also take a much deeper look into how these documentaries themselves have affected the lives of these subjects, and the confessions are quite surprising.
Rated 18 Oct 2010
jeffvjeff_v
Rated 21 Feb 2010
70
65th
Most of the film is just a "where are they now?" update. The one new element, which justifies my positive grade, is the focus on project itself, and apparent pain that many of the participants feel every seven years when it's time to roll the cameras again. I don't think Apted really gets a handle on why some of his subjects are so protective of their privacy and others are not, but the break from form is refreshing.
Rated 21 Feb 2010
jazzalohaJazzaloha
Rated 21 Nov 2009
75
86th
This with all the other 7 Up films are fascinating and worth watching.
Rated 21 Nov 2009
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 03 Oct 2009
80
61st
Still interesting and thought provoking, but by this point it does feel a bit repetitive and the struggle to fit so much in so little time makes it feel superficial.
Rated 03 Oct 2009
arkadiaarkadia
Rated 19 Jul 2009
83
74th
Wonderful to know that life doesn't end at 28. Most of the subjects seem happy again, even though they're "living without dreams." It's like, if you survive the first death (that of your youthful dreams), you can reawaken to your second (& more fulfilling) life (& new dreams, hopefully).
Rated 19 Jul 2009
jstryjstry
Rated 13 Dec 2008
72
53rd
This one took a nose dive for me. It was still interesting, but not much had changed between 42 and 49 for most of the participants. It also just felt really long and I found myself wondering how many more kids there were to go. It seemed more than in the previous films that the subjects were really against the films and disliked being part of them...it almost made me feel dirty for watching them and causing the subjects so much pain that they all seem to go through every 7 years. Not the best.
Rated 13 Dec 2008
doctor7doctor7
Rated 24 Oct 2008
83
79th
Thoroughly enjoyable documentary that, sadly, I believe has outgrown what can be properly shown on the screen in such a limited amount of time. Trying to condense the lives of multiple people into a two hour film is incredibly tough and I think Apted did the only possible thing he could: give the viewer the tone of the subject's life rather than the complete story. Whether you agree with the method or not, some of the subjects don't, is the deciding factor on whether or not you'll enjoy this.
Rated 24 Oct 2008
ktappektappe
Rated 23 Mar 2008
88
70th
Interesting, but can drag on occasion--needed a wee bit more editing.
Rated 23 Mar 2008
icarusIcarus
Rated 06 Oct 2007
75
49th
While I appreciated the film, there is something of a tiredness to the whole proceeding. I have grown less interested in the project overall, in large part, I think, because of the discomfort that that some of the participants have with it. That said, their participation at least affirms a desire to continue the "study," potentially rendering a valuable visual statement of time's passage once the final installment is completed.
Rated 06 Oct 2007

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