49 up

42 years ago, Michael Apted assisted director Paul Almond in making the documentary , about the expectations of a group of seven-year-old British children. Subsequently, Apted filmed these children every seven years to see what happened with their lives. Those children are now seven times seven years old and have raised children who even have kids themselves. One or two people have pulled out and no longer participate in the series. Many have started new relationships after a divorce or have to work hard to keep their marriage together. Their careers often run along predictable paths, especially for people from the upper classes, confirming that this generation still experiences England as a class society. But most of them have reconciled themselves to their fate now that they are 49 and lead steady lives. About the fact that his dreams have been replaced by the daily grind, Bruce soberly groans, "We just live without our dreams." Apart from reflecting on their lives, people comment on the shooting process. "It is actually real life TV, with the added bonus that you can see people grow old, loose their hair, get fat," John says. "Fascinating, I'm sure, but does it have any value? That's a different question."