56 Up is the next chapter in the greatest documentary series ever. Starting with Seven Up! in 1964, director Michael Apted has followed the same fourteen British children, filming snapshots of their lives at ages 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 49 – and now at age 56. Choosing kids from different backgrounds, the series started as a critique of the British class system, but has since evolved into a broader exploration of what factors can lead to success and happiness at different stages of human life.
We have seen these characters live roller coaster lives. The surprise in 56 Up is how contented they seem to be. They seem to have independently reached a stage in their lives where they live with acceptance and satisfaction. Accordingly, it makes for mellow and pleasing viewing for us.
Michael Apted is a big time director (Coal Miner’s Daughter, Gorillas in the Mist, most recently the 2010 chapter of the Chronicles of Narnia saga). It is remarkable that he has returned so faithfully to his subjects in the Up series. I’ve included the 7 Up series in my list of Greatest Movies of All Time.
Because Apted includes clips from earlier films to set the stage for each character, you don’t need to watch all eight movies. Because there is so little conflict in 56 Up, it would be ideal to first screen an edgier film like 35 Up or 42: Forty Two Up. But 56 Up stands on its own, and it’s another gem in the series.