Latest news with #MichaelApted
The Sun
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Future of groundbreaking documentary series 70 Up confirmed after creator dies
GROUNDBREAKING documentary series Up will be back for its next chapter - 70 Up - after its creator Michael Apted died in 2021. The films followed the lives of a group of average British people every seven years since 1964 and so the director became incredibly close to the contributors. 5 There were therefore question marks over whether the ITV series would continue without him. But producers began work on the next run this week to continue his life's work and honour his legacy, with the instalment likely to air in 2026. Before he died, Michael had shared hopes he'd be able to make 84 Up - when he would have been 99. But he later acknowledged that might not be possible due to his health. In one of his final interviews, he suggested it could possibly continue with someone else at the helm, such as his longtime producer, Claire Lewis. The Up series of documentary films followed the lives of ten boys and four girls in England, beginning in 1964, when they were seven years old and was directed by Paul Almond. The first film was titled Seven Up!, with later films adjusting the number in the title to match the age of the subjects at the time of filming. Michael took up the reins for 1970's Seven plus Seven. The children were selected to represent the range of socio-economic backgrounds in Britain at that time, on the assumption that each child's social class would determine their future. It's painted a fascinating picture since, with some participants criticising the series, and Apted, when they chose to quit the process. The documentary has had nine episodes—one every seven years. ITV has aired every series except 42 Up in 1998, which aired on BBC One. In 1991, 28 Up was chosen for Roger Ebert's ten greatest films of all time. But it has also attracted criticism for some editorial choices, for example just four of the 20 participants are female. 5 5 5 5
The Irish Sun
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Future of groundbreaking documentary series 70 Up confirmed after creator dies
GROUNDBREAKING documentary series Up will be back for its next chapter - 70 Up - after its creator Michael Apted died in 2021. The films followed the lives of a group of average British people every seven years since 1964 and so the director became incredibly close to the contributors. Advertisement 5 Michael Apted's documentary series Up will be back for its next chapter - 70 Up Credit: AP There were therefore question marks over whether the ITV series would continue without him. But producers began work on the next run this week to continue his life's work and honour his legacy, with the instalment likely to air in 2026. Before he died, Michael had shared hopes he'd be able to make 84 Up - when he would have been 99. But he later acknowledged that might not be possible due to his health . Advertisement read more on Michael Apted In one of his final interviews , he suggested it could possibly continue with someone else at the helm, such as his longtime producer, Claire Lewis. The Up series of documentary films followed the lives of ten boys and four girls in England, beginning in 1964, when they were seven years old and was directed by Paul Almond. The first film was titled Seven Up!, with later films adjusting the number in the title to match the age of the subjects at the time of filming. Michael took up the reins for 1970's Seven plus Seven. Advertisement Most read in News TV The children were selected to represent the range of socio-economic backgrounds in Britain at that time, on the assumption that each child's social class would determine their future . It's painted a fascinating picture since, with some participants criticising the series, and Apted, when they chose to quit the process. Michael Apted discusses the filming of iconic movie Stardust The documentary has had nine episodes—one every seven years. ITV has aired every series except 42 Up in 1998, which aired on BBC One. Advertisement In 1991, 28 Up was chosen for Roger Ebert's ten greatest films of all time. But it has also attracted criticism for some editorial choices, for example just four of the 20 participants are female. 5 He passed away in 2021 Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 The films followed the lives of a group of average British people every seven years since 1964 Credit: Handout Advertisement 5 Before he died, Michael had shared hopes he'd be able to make 84 Up - when he would have been 99 Credit: Handout 5 The director became incredibly close to the contributors Credit: Handout
Scottish Sun
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Future of groundbreaking documentary series 70 Up confirmed after creator dies
GROUNDBREAKING documentary series Up will be back for its next chapter - 70 Up - after its creator Michael Apted died in 2021. The films followed the lives of a group of average British people every seven years since 1964 and so the director became incredibly close to the contributors. 5 Michael Apted's documentary series Up will be back for its next chapter - 70 Up Credit: AP There were therefore question marks over whether the ITV series would continue without him. But producers began work on the next run this week to continue his life's work and honour his legacy, with the instalment likely to air in 2026. Before he died, Michael had shared hopes he'd be able to make 84 Up - when he would have been 99. But he later acknowledged that might not be possible due to his health. read more on Michael Apted SCREEN LEGEND DIES James Bond and Coronation Street director Michael Apted dies, aged 79 In one of his final interviews, he suggested it could possibly continue with someone else at the helm, such as his longtime producer, Claire Lewis. The Up series of documentary films followed the lives of ten boys and four girls in England, beginning in 1964, when they were seven years old and was directed by Paul Almond. The first film was titled Seven Up!, with later films adjusting the number in the title to match the age of the subjects at the time of filming. Michael took up the reins for 1970's Seven plus Seven. The children were selected to represent the range of socio-economic backgrounds in Britain at that time, on the assumption that each child's social class would determine their future. It's painted a fascinating picture since, with some participants criticising the series, and Apted, when they chose to quit the process. Michael Apted discusses the filming of iconic movie Stardust The documentary has had nine episodes—one every seven years. ITV has aired every series except 42 Up in 1998, which aired on BBC One. In 1991, 28 Up was chosen for Roger Ebert's ten greatest films of all time. But it has also attracted criticism for some editorial choices, for example just four of the 20 participants are female. 5 He passed away in 2021 Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 The films followed the lives of a group of average British people every seven years since 1964 Credit: Handout 5 Before he died, Michael had shared hopes he'd be able to make 84 Up - when he would have been 99 Credit: Handout
Irish Independent
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Tanya Sweeney: Watching real lives unfold from aged seven to 63 makes for an unmissable TV series
Today at 21:30 Even amid the rich smorgasbord of prestige TV offerings on the streamers, the showing up on the schedules of one TV show always makes my heart quicken with excitement. Recently, Virgin Media Television re-ran the latest instalment in Michael Apted's Seven Up series, which was filmed in 2022; we are now at 63 Up. For the uninitiated, a quick intro: in 1964, filmmaker Apted found 14 British children, all at or around the age of seven, but from wildly different walks of life. Some were in the care home system; others in the malevolent bosom of the British public boarding school. From there, Apted checked back in with his subjects every seven years, and so we see these interviewees talk about their lives at 14, 28, 35, 42, and so on. The Jesuit motto 'give me a child until he is seven and I will give you the man' is the series' backbone. The question is posed time and time again in the series — does any trace of your seven-year-old self still remain?
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
War film based on real life but fans all have the same complaint
The 2001 war film, which has a 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, is set during World War II and is about British codebreakers who try to crack the Nazi Enigma code Enigma, the British-American war thriller from 2001, has garnered a 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes despite leaving fans puzzled over a significant issue. Set during World War II, the film features high-tension drama focusing on the efforts of codebreakers at Bletchley Park trying to decipher Nazi Germany's formidable Enigma code. The movie, directed by Michael Apted and based on Robert Harris's acclaimed novel with an adaptation penned by Tom Stoppard, has been praised for its gripping portrayal of historical events. Even though the historical aspects have won it popularity, audience opinions remain divided as evidenced by mixed responses. On Rotten Tomatoes, one viewer scathingly wrote: "Serious contender for worst film of all time. The acting is terrible, I mean really terrible, it is difficult to even work out what the story is supposed to be about, it is nothing to do with enigma in any real sense at all." Conversely, another said: "The slow pace of the film was fine at the beginning while it introduced the period setting. However, that soon made it dull. Most of the main characters were uninteresting. Overall a very disappointing film.", reports the Express. Despite boasting big names like Dougray Scott, Kate Winslet, Jeremy Northam, and Saffron Burrows who bring together a blend of spy drama and romance, Enigma's appeal is somewhat tarnished. Behind its clever narrative and wartime suspense, the film faces criticism over one major stumbling block - its commitment to historical veracity, particularly concerning the pivotal role of Alan Turing. Critics have earmarked Enigma for downplaying the essential input of Alan Turing, the bona fide mastermind whose work at Bletchley Park was paramount. Turing's crucial contribution in deciphering the Enigma code is ignored, as well as his seminal work in the early stages of computing. The film instead focuses on a fictional protagonist, Jericho, which has prompted many viewers to debate its fidelity to historical accuracy. A viewer said: "I loved the story even though it didn't give any credit to the TRUE genius who actually broke the Modern Turing, and his Polish predecessors in the 1920's who originally broke the code way back gobbles facts and regurgitates them as truths." Enigma is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime.
