70 Up - For those of a Certain Age!

[Mr Tidy]

ITV filmed a group of 7 year olds from widely different backgrounds in 1963 and made a 1 hour programme called 7 Up, then repeated the formula every 7 years with 14 Up, etc.

Anyway what is said to be the last episode will be on ITV on Tuesday at 9pm. If you are a 50s child it's fascinating.

[clive_candy]

And not only 50s children.

[CTO]

I binged the back catalogue the other week, in anticipation of 70up being released.

Some of the children’s journeys make for difficult watching.

[balise]

It’s wonderful. Can be a hard watch at times though.

[MJK 24]

Poor Neil.

No happiness as an adult.

[davidc1]

They followed the wrong kids which was a shame. Too many posh boys and not enough girls. I think Michael apted admitted this. I will watch it as its a unique document and try and get my head around another 7 years has passed .

[ewolg]

Being 70 myself I wonder how my life would have been portrayed. Having followed the series, I think Neil was the one who I felt sorry for. An obviously intelligent man but life just never gave him that opportunity he needed. I wish him well in the future.

[stevep944]

We watched the first two episodes in sociology class in school, 1976-77, and like many my age I’ve followed it ever since. It’s been fascinating but I thought last nights was disappointing in that it spent too much time looking back and not enough on their current lives. I’m hoping part 2 will rectify that.
Neil is obviously the standout, seeing what became of that bright eyed boy who wanted to be an astronaut has been very sad. However, the two lads who perhaps had the hardest start in life, Simon and Paul from the children’s home, have done well and have come out happy.
It also shows that money and privilege doesn’t buy happiness I think, particularly when the lawyer Andrew(?) said that looking back he wishes he’d spent a little less time at work and gone to see his children’s school plays etc.
Seeing Nick’s final interview next week will be very poignant.

[balise]

davidc1 said:

They followed the wrong kids which was a shame. Too many posh boys and not enough girls. I think Michael apted admitted this. I will watch it as its a unique document and try and get my head around another 7 years has passed .

And also...some people have dropped out, not wanting to be part of the it. I suspect they didn't fully understand the impact that it would have on their whole lifetime.

[_Rodders_]

Probably should have started with a larger number of kids but I gather the first one was conceived as a one off so they won't have considered the attrition down the line.

[Tom8]

It is fascinating, quite odd by today's standard where the very clear class structure of old has broken down. I find it very nostalgic as it is something my late parents watched throughout their life times. Some hard stories, but also some lovely things.

It seems Apted did annoy many of them by "casting" them to fit the stereo type but then that is sort of the premise of the programme, can you change your spots.