49 Up

Name: 49 Up
Genre: Biography, Documentary
Released: October 6, 2006
Rating: 84

2006

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 25 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Ratings

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6.4

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6.4	Your Score
6.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

First Run Features | Release Date: October 6, 2006

Summary: 49 UP is the seventh film in a series of landmark documentaries that began 42 years ago when UK-based Granada's World in Action team, inspired by the Jesuit maxim "Give me the child until he is seven and I will give you the man," interviewed a diverse group of seven-year-old children from all over England, asking them about their lives and49 UP is the seventh film in a series of landmark documentaries that began 42 years ago when UK-based Granada's World in Action team, inspired by the Jesuit maxim "Give me the child until he is seven and I will give you the man," interviewed a diverse group of seven-year-old children from all over England, asking them about their lives and their dreams for the future. Michael Apted, a researcher for the original film, has returned to interview the "children" every seven years since, at ages 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and now again at age 49. (First Run Features)… Expand

Director: Michael Apted

Genre(s): Biography, Documentary

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

J.R. Jones

This seventh installment is utterly fascinating. Read full review

100

Ty Burr

No matter their wealth or social status, these people share disappointments and elations and a sense that life, in the end, may be what life is about. Read full review

100

Lisa Schwarzbaum

49 Up is a precious document, and must viewing. Read full review

Noel Murray

While all the "Up" films hold a fascination akin to a Christmas letter from an almost-forgotten friend, 42 Up didn't show much progress from "35 Up." Even fans of the series had to wonder whether the faces of England were going to remain permanently frozen. Read full review

Carina Chocano

49 Up is more than a deeply satisfying movie; it's a reminder of the wonder contained in ordinary lives. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Taken as a whole, these films constitute one of the greatest uses of cinema a documentary filmmaker has ever devised. Like the other films in the series, 49 Up is alternately touching and mundane, part soap opera, part reality show and part anthropological study. Read full review

Eddie Cockrell

It doesn't make for involving drama, unless the audience is already invested in the subjects' fortunes. Thus, 49 Up will have more appeal for long-time followers than newcomers. Read full review

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Mixed:

User Reviews

JosephFJ

Oct 18, 2006

Several are heroes to me. They may not have achieved their goals but from a standpoint of family, grand children and toughing it through, I have enormous respect and admiration for them.

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EvieB.

Oct 9, 2006

I've been revisiting all the previous "Up" installments in preparation for seeing this. As a result, I find myself quoting lines nonstop ( "I read the Observer and the Times!"). This series is so, so good. I just love everyone in it--even the people I find dull or annoying. After all I've been revisiting all the previous "Up" installments in preparation for seeing this. As a result, I find myself quoting lines nonstop ( "I read the Observer and the Times!"). This series is so, so good. I just love everyone in it--even the people I find dull or annoying. After all this time, I can't help myself.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

DanC.

Dec 9, 2006

The series is brilliant, a 10 out of 10 all the way. I found this installment ever so slightly less compelling than the previous ones, because the subjects have moved into comfortable later middle age. Still, it's a great film. Recommendation: watch the entire series on DVD before The series is brilliant, a 10 out of 10 all the way. I found this installment ever so slightly less compelling than the previous ones, because the subjects have moved into comfortable later middle age. Still, it's a great film. Recommendation: watch the entire series on DVD before viewing this one - it's well worth the investment.… Expand

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RalphM.

Dec 10, 2006

A fascinating look at life. I don't know how much distortion the documentation process causes, but the stories of this group of individuals pushes through time and time - sad, tragic, inspiring. This time around I found a theme of middle age contentment - one of the more optimistic A fascinating look at life. I don't know how much distortion the documentation process causes, but the stories of this group of individuals pushes through time and time - sad, tragic, inspiring. This time around I found a theme of middle age contentment - one of the more optimistic editions of this series.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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