Seven Up! (1964)

A group of seven-year-old British children from widely ranging backgrounds are interviewed about a range of subjects. Director Michael Apted plans to reinterview them at seven-year ... See full summary »

Director:

Paul Almond

Stars:

Douglas Keay, Bruce Balden, Jacqueline Bassett

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Douglas Keay	...	Himself - Narrator (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bruce Balden	...	Himself (as Bruce)
Jacqueline Bassett	...	Herself (as Jackie)
Symon Basterfield	...	Himself (as Simon)
Andrew Brackfield	...	Himself (as Andrew)
John Brisby	...	Himself (as John)
Suzanne Dewey	...	Herself (as Suzy)
Charles Furneaux	...	Himself (as Charles)
Nicholas Hitchon	...	Himself (as Nicholas)
Neil Hughes	...	Himself (as Neil)
Lynn Johnson	...	Herself (as Lindsay)
Paul Kligerman	...	Himself (as Paul)
Michelle Murphy	...	Herself (as Michelle)
Susan Sullivan	...	Herself (as Susan)
Tony Walker	...	Himself (as Tony)

Storyline

A group of seven-year-old British children from widely ranging backgrounds are interviewed about a range of subjects. Director Michael Apted plans to reinterview them at seven-year intervals to determine how their lives and attitudes have changed.

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Plot Keywords:

children | seven year old | east end london | boys' school | playground | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Short | Biography

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Latin

Release Date:

5 May 1964 (UK)

Also Known As:

7 Up

Company Credits

Production Co:

Granada Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

40 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

As this was originally conceived as a one-off, no long term contracts were drawn up with the documentary participants. The interviews since Seven Up! have been voluntary, but Michael Apted says the participants are paid for their appearance in each film, as well as equal parts of any prize the film may win.

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Quotes

Douglas Keay - Narrator: Original post credits narration: "If you want to know what happens to these children, watch Granada Television on Tuesday 2nd May in the year 2000."

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Crazy Credits

Voice-over during final credits: "If you want to see what happens to these children, look in at Granada Television on Tuesday, May the second ... in the year 2000."

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Connections

Featured in The World in Action Years (2013)

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Soundtracks

What Would I Do
Written by Stanley Alexander
Performed by The Monotones

User Reviews

lucky number

This look at a collection of children in England was intended as a one-time thing, but Michael Apted decided to revisit them every seven years. Previously I had only seen "49 Up". "Seven Up!" introduces the tykes as the UK's future. The boys and girls talk about their aspirations, also focusing on the British class system. Apted's association with the series makes it a surprise that he didn't direct the first installment, acting only as a researcher.

Whatever the case, it's a really good documentary. There have been equivalents made in several different countries; of those, I've only seen ages seven and fourteen from Russia. But Apted's series is the gold standard, and I recommend it.