28 Up (1984)

Synopsis: In 1964, Granada Television created a documentary about 14 seven-year-old boys and girls from both wealthy and poor families in England. The idea was to see if there was any truth to the the Jesuit saying "Give me a child until he is seven, and I will give you the man." Director Michael Apted... In 1964, Granada Television created a documentary about 14 seven-year-old boys and girls from both wealthy and poor families in England. The idea was to see if there was any truth to the the Jesuit saying "Give me a child until he is seven, and I will give you the man." Director Michael Apted decided to film these same children every seven years, capturing all of their hopes, dreams, and most personal moments. The fourth installment in the series, 28 UP, shows how some of the children have achieved their every desire and, more tragically, how others remained lost and unfocused. Constructed so that it can be followed even if the previous films haven't been seen, 28 UP is a stunning record of ordinary people making their way in the world. Although the series was designed to reveal how much one's fate is determined by one's class background, the films have become much more: a poetic meditation on mortality, choice, and the human condition. Apted considers it his crowning achievement; one of the longest-running film projects in history, the series has inspired similar programs around the world. The next films available in the series include 35 UP and 42 UP. [More]