49 Up on TV in Britain Thursday Sept. 15th and 22nd

Vickie_M · 09-13-2005, 10:09 PM

I stumbled on this article in the UK Guardian about 49 Up.

A poignant, human drama in the era of Celebrity Shark Bait

Quote:

We are about to see the next episode of what is surely the most powerful drama ever screened on British television. Tomorrow night ITV1 will air the latest instalment in a series that began in 1964, when World in Action interviewed a group of seven-year-old children - and which has caught up with them every seven years since. Now those children are 49 years old.

Officially, that makes the programme a documentary. But it is deeper, more touching and more gripping than that label suggests. For what it shows, unfolding before us, is nothing less than the drama of human life.

...

There is a quiet, affecting beauty to all of this. So, in the era of Celebrity Shark Bait, let us give thanks for one of those rare occasions when television reaches beyond the banal - and touches the enduringly, inspiringly human.

There are some spoilers in that article, though it doesn't tell anything about Neil.

All the "Ups" since 28 have been released in the theater in the US, but I see no release date on IMDB. If anyone knows or hears of a release date please post it.

BrianB · 09-14-2005, 10:47 AM

Is it that time already? Sweet. Absolutely adore these series of documentaries. I love the concept, I love that ITV have been keeping it up after so long, I love that the people are still willing to participate (with a few exceptions of course). Completely gripping television.

They're all available on DVD here in the US if anyone wants to 'catch up' on the people.

Francois Caron · 09-14-2005, 11:30 AM

49 Up. Or if you prefer, 50 minus ONE!

I hope the people that decided to drop out eventually decide to come back even if it's just for a brief update. We just want to know roughly how well they're doing, not necessarily know every single detail of their lives.

BrianB · 09-26-2005, 04:54 PM

I've watched the first episode of this, got the second sitting at home to catch up on. It's great seeing these familiar faces again, it's great to see how & where they are in their lives. This 'set' focuses a lot on the direct families of the group, how their lives have changed by having grandkids, whether their expectations for their kids have been met etc.

Quote:

I hope the people that decided to drop out eventually decide to come back even if it's just for a brief update.

Not that I've seen, and of course Neil is kept for the very last segment. One cast member states quite clearly that this will be the last one they participate in.

By the way, I know an American version was started in the 90s. Is it time yet for it to have an update?



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