The groundbreaking documentary series that began with 14 seven-year-olds in 1964 is set to conclude with its final installment, "70 Up." Over 63 years, the "Up" series has chronicled the lives of its participants, offering a unique social history of Britain and its changing societal landscape.
The documentary, first conceived to challenge the notion of a classless post-war Britain, began with director Paul Almond and producer Tim Hewat selecting children from diverse backgrounds. The cameras returned every seven years, documenting the participants' journeys through adolescence, adulthood, and into retirement.
A Generational Chronicle
"70 Up" will feature the original 14 participants, now in their seventies, reflecting on their lives. The series has traced their trajectories, from public school boys like Andrew, who pursued a career in city law, to East End girls like Jackie, Sue, and Lynn, who dreamt of families. It also followed Symon, a mixed-race boy from a care home who aspired to be liked, and Neil Hughes, who overcame homelessness to become a lay clergyman and local councilor.
The participants' lives have unfolded against a backdrop of significant societal shifts. The series has observed how the initial assumptions about social mobility and class rigidity have played out. For instance, Bruce Bolden, who initially dreamed of becoming a missionary, went on to teach math in an East End comprehensive school, mirroring the demographic changes in the area, before retiring to a fulfilling life by the seaside.
The series has not been without its controversies. Some participants have felt that their portrayals were intrusive or focused on negative aspects of their lives. Jackie Bassett, diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, expressed her frustration when the focus of a series was on her illness rather than her resilience and ongoing activities.
Evolving Perspectives and Social Commentary
The original "7 Up" project, filmed in 1964, reflected the monocultural Britain of its time. The production has since faced criticism for its lack of diversity, with a limited number of female participants and minimal representation of different ethnic backgrounds and lifestyles by today's standards. Director Michael Apted himself acknowledged that the production had a "hard-boiled political agenda" from its inception, aiming to illustrate the persistence of the class system.
However, the series has also been praised for capturing genuine human stories and offering profound insights into the British experience. Despite the varying challenges faced by the participants, a common theme has emerged: a desire to work hard, take control of their lives, and not expect an easy path at the expense of others. This ethos is contrasted with contemporary portrayals of dependency, such as those depicted in the Channel 4 series "Benefits Street."
The final installment, "70 Up," is scheduled to air in two parts on ITV starting September 15. It promises to be an emotional conclusion to a landmark documentary project that has spanned over six decades, offering a unique perspective on a generation and a nation in flux. Michael Apted, who directed the "Up" films from 1970 until "63 Up" in 2019, passed away in 2021.
The series began in 1964 with fourteen seven-year-old children.
Pictured are Jackie Bassett, Lynn Johnson, and Sue Lusk in the very first show in 1964.
The cast was pictured together in 1977 for series 3 of the show, titled '21 Up'.
The legendary "Up" series of documentaries is set to conclude with a poignant finale titled "70 Up."
