42 Up

I watched 7up through 35 up on line at you tube for free and then bought 42 and 49 up from amazon. I find this documentary very interesting and I am in awe of the fact that this many people have been this dedicated for so long to continuing this project. It is not the best quality filming, but the idea is genius and I enjoy seeing each and every persons personality at they change and develop in life. I have no problem paying for this video as I feel it is money well deserved for all of those people who have made this possible for so many decades. A thank you to the filmmaker, crew and personalities involved. Thank you for sharing your lives with the world. I am sure it was not easy at times to agree to yet another interview. As one of millions that are privileged enough to watch your lives unfold - I thank you for sharing with me. I love you all. I feel like I know you all. This is a very interesting project. I hope you continue for many more episodes to come.

Sound quality was not good.

This is an excellent movie. How I wish I knew all the people interviwed in it. They are all such intriguing people--so human, flawed and yet wonderful.Neil and Bruce, you were so luminous as children and now still so idealistic--you give us all hope for humanity. Tony, Nick and all the rest--best wishes to you all.

got this cd quickly. loved the series and the quality was very good. would buy again from here again. nice

Highly Recommended! Fun to see where life will take you or at least these 7 people every 7 years!

The up series has followed the lives of 14 British individuals in seven year intervals beginning at age 7 (in 1963 or 64). Every seven years, the producer Michael Apted attempts to interview each of the individual children. For various reasons, some of the individuals are unwilling to be interviewed during a particular time (though most are present in each episode). In this segment, "42 Up", Apted interviews ten individuals: Andrew, Bruce, Jackie, Lynn, Neil, Nick, Paul, Suzy, Symon, and Tony.On the whole, I found the individuals to be thoughtful and wistful. The mood is much different than "35 Up", where I was struck by the loss that many felt as their parents began to pass away (I am in a similar situation). There is more reflection on childhood and lost opportunities. Love for children and spouses is also evident. More than before, the individuals show strength and courage as they face the future.In the commentary, it appears that Apted is beginning to realize that his previous segments sometimes provided disorted or incomplete views of the individual's lives. For example, in "28 Up", I think he provided some rather cruel clips on three of the individuals's wives. His edits would sometimes introduce condescending judgments. In this segment, it seems that he is allowing the individuals to speak without editorial moralizing or judgment. Though some of the individuals are still defensive, I think most of the interviews are more heartfelt as a result.I was especially moved by the segments on Susan and Suzy. Both of these women are so honest and sensitive and their reflections are so true that I (the viewer) feels their pain in loss and the pride in their children. I am also appreciating Tony more now than before, when he did not allow any signs of weakness to show. In revealing himself, he is becoming a fuller person.I think it is useful to see all the other segments before this one. I have become drawn into their lives. Thus, I feel Bruce's happiness and Lynn's hopes more than if I saw this segment before seeing the others. As a professor, I also strongly feel Nick's dilemma between his love for his childhood home and the love for his work that requires him to live elsewhere. I think that many people are involved in this type of situation that creates a loss no matter what he decides. Thus, the more he succeeds the less likely he can ever return home.Missing are Charles, John, and Peter. This is sad because each of these individuals are articulate and smart. I miss each of them. John is so sharp and often provides strong counterpoint arguments against Apted's sometimes biased questions and views. I admit that John used to bug me quite a bit in his early years, but I now greatly miss his wit and insights. Peter also has strong opinions and I would be very interested in seeing how he dealt with the seemingly deadend career choice that his schooling prepared him for. Charles has now been missing for 21 years. In "14 Up" and "21 Up", he was a very intelligent person who was critical yet fair in his answers to various questions put to him by Apted. I got the impression that he was aware of Apted's agenda, yet tried to be fair instead of defensive in his self-analysis.Last, I want to say that I feel that the individuals in these films are very fortunate because these videos provide a portrait of themselves that most of us have lost over the years. Though they rightfully acknowledge that these periodic interviews are painful and intrusive, they also memorialize their lives for their families. I personally remember little of my original dreams and hopes; they fade away over time. I wish that I could have had this opportunity every seven years, with the addendum that it would never be shown to the public. It would be something to give to my children when they are old enough to understand.I rate this film four stars, not five, because I don't think the film lives up to its potential. That being said, I think that all in my generation could appreciate the candor that these individuals use in their confessions and their courage in revealing themselves to us.

The 'Up Series' represents one of the most fascinating and unusual uses of film in cinema history - a documentary life-long chronicle of the lives of 14 people starting at 7 years old, revisiting them every seven years through age 56 (so far), presented largely through simple, straightforward, beautifully done interviews.This film is from the middle of that journey. And while it can be enjoyed in a vacuum, the true power of the piece is watching these people through the arc of their whole lives. Watching one piece out of that context can't have quite the same power. This is a case where the sum is greater than the parts, even if the parts are all pretty terrific.In terms of the series as a whole (which I strongly suggest you seek out) - while I could quibble, wishing for a bit more depth here and there (especially with the women, where there's a bit too much emphasis on love and marriage at the expense of all else), it's really an astounding, moving, frightening and uplifting document. There's no way to watch this remarkable series of films without reflecting deeply on one's own life, and how you have changed (and stayed the same) over your own lifetime.While Michael Aped deserves every bit of credit he's received for this amazing piece of cultural anthropology, it's important to note that the first film, 7 Up,was actually directed by Paul Almond, and Apted was a that point a researcher for the project.