THE UP SERIES.

THE UP SERIES. Mary Jane and I have been watching the UP SERIES (SEVEN UP, 7 PLUS SEVEN. 21 UP, 28 UP, 35 UP, 42 UP, 49 UP). The UP SERIES took fourteen seven year olds in 1964, interviewed them, and then interviewed them every seven years thereafter. A blurb on the DVD box from Roger Ebert says, “On my list of the ten greatest films of all time.” Mary Jane and I agree that it is that good. In 1964, SEVEN UP made it clear that a major theme of the series was to be the English class system and the differing opportunities that are presented to children depending on the accidents of birth. That theme recurs in each of the episodes. Yet something larger and greater takes place. The children–and the grownups they become–take over the story.