The Up Series

“A daring, visionary feat of longitudinal filmmaking, this landmark docu-series follows a group of British children from vastly different backgrounds, beginning at age seven. Starting with 7 Up in 1964, the series revisits their lives every seven years to witness how class, ambition, and circumstance shape their futures. Following the 2019 instalment, 63 Up, the series is expected to end in 2026 with the release of 70 Up. A must-watch!!”

“There’s unlike anything else like it. Fourteen kids are interviewed in 1964 under the premise of “give me a child until he is 7 and i will show you the man.” Every seven years thereafter, director Michael Apted revisits them, at least those still willing to participate. I borrowed these from the library during COVID and mistakenly thought they were due back in four days so I essentially binged these people’s lives. I watched these real people grow up and get old in a span of days. It deeply moved me and was a large motivating factor in my decision to have a child.”

“I first watched this in high school, and honestly get a hankering to rewatch every couple years or so. I find it fascinating the way it manages to capture life’s challenges and triumphs, including in ways that constantly and inevitably break the fourth wall. Highly recommend watching the series from the start, if you’ve got the patience for some repetition — if for nothing else, there’s something interesting, too, in observing how documentary filmmaking transforms over the decades.”

“This series is simply incredible. I can’t endorse it highly enough.”

“Maybe the most amazing documentary project ever…”