Title: The Up Series
Year: 1963-2005
Director: Michael Apted
Rating: NR
Length: 710 Min.
Video: Full Frame 1.33:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital Stereo, Commentary:
Subtitles:

Plot:
Starting in 1964 with 'Seven Up', 'The UP Series' has explored this Jesuit maxim. The original concept was to interview 14 children from diverse backgrounds from all over England, asking them about their lives and their dreams for the future. Every seven years, renowned director Michael Apted, a researcher for 'Seven Up,' has been back to talk to them, examining the progression of their lives.

From cab driver Tony to schoolmates Jackie, Lynn and Susan and the heart-breaking Neil, as they turn 49 more life-changing decisions and surprising developments are revealed.

An astonishing, unforgettable look at the structure of life in the 20th century, 'The UP Series' is, according to critic Roger Ebert, "an inspired, almost noble use of the film medium. Apted penetrates to the central mystery of life."

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Gallery
Production Notes
Interviews


"Give me the child until he is 7, and I will give you the man."

That is the basis on which this series was started. The filmmakers interviewed a bunch of 7 year olds to look at class distinctions and such. They've returned to interview most of them again, every 7 years since then.

I first started watching the series at 28 Up. The entire series was first released to DVD in a package containing the films through 42 Up. The latest set, through 49 Up, has been out since last year.

If you haven't seen any of it, I recommend that you do. It's a unique look into the lives of these people, but it's a window through which we can see ourselves.

I remember a line from Weather Man where Nicholas Cage's character says something like when you are young, you have so many possibilities for your life. As you grow older, they drop away one by one until you are left with only the life you are living.

That's sort of what is observed here in the Up films. Some start out with grand dreams and go through the struggle in which those dreams don't come true. But then contentment comes too.

This is akin to some of the reality shows we see today where you get to know people over the course of a show, but here, you get to know them over the course of their lives. As soon as I finish one, I can't wait for the next. But the next one comes 7 years later. By then, they are different people, but so am I. The Up interviewees are 7 years older than I am, so I'm always sort of seeing my immediate future when each new film comes out.

Roger Ebert is quoted on the latest cover with "On my list of the ten greatest films of all time." In fact, he does list The Up Documentaries on his Great Movies list. An interview by Roger Ebert with director Michael Apted is included on the 49 Up disc.

You can get the set or you can also get 42 Up and 49 Up individually. The format of each film is to focus on one person at a time and show clips from all of their prior interviews. So you can sample a later film and still get a flavor for what came before. I don't think it would be necessary to watch all of them if you just wanted to check out 49 Up, for example, but you might be left wanting for more.

There was something similar in Germany with a complete family. I have never seen it, but one member of the family, who was a child when the series started, ended up in one of the Big Brother seasons a few years ago  .

I meant this. The son, Frank Fussbroich, was in the fifth German Big Brother season.
Though your pick seems to be a closer equivalent to the "Up" Series.