Saturday, November 18, 2006
MIDDLE AGED
Today we watched the latest installment of a very long documentary series
42 years ago, Michael Apted interviewed and filmed a group of 7 year olds to get an idea of the 'future of Great Britain'. The premise was the quote "give me a child until he is 7 and I will give you the man".
He called the program 7 Up
Since that original program, Apted has gone back to the same people every 7 years. The consequence is a series of seven programs of which this is the latest.
We watched the first six last year and now have seen the latest.
It is an astounding series. To watch these kids grow up and change is really a rare experience.
The interviews are well done and include some tough comments about the impact of the program on the lives of the people involved.
There are no tragedies with any of them but there are some near misses. A few dropped out along the way but most have stayed with it.
It is like seeing time lapse photography in the changes that take place as well as those that do not take place.
I will put 56 Up on my perpetual calendar.
