63UP

Last night my wife and I streamed 63UP. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, back in 1964 British filmmaker Paul Almond, assisted by Michael Apted, made a documentary about 14 British seven-year-olds (10 boys and 4 girls) from different parts of Britain and different social classes—7 Up!. At least in part I think it was intended to be an “out of the mouths of babes” sort of treatment of the British class system.

Every seven years since then Mr. Apted has released another installment, interviewing the same individuals. One of the girls, Lynn, died in 2013. Mr. Apted himself died in 2019 at 79.

The series is fantastic, fascinating and 63UP is no exception. The now 13 individuals are no longer cute kids but pensioners, largely philosophical about their lives.

If you get a chance, track the series down.

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