42 UP {FORTY-TWO UP} (TV)

Summary

One in this unique series of documentaries, produced only once every seven years, chronicling the lives of twelve British individuals. Interviews are conducted every seven years for this longitudinal study, beginning at age seven, with an emphasis on social mobility and socio-economic status. This program includes footage from the previous five installments and covers the latest events in the subjects' lives at age 42. Tony, who hails from the East End of London, intended as a youth to become a jockey and apprenticed at a stable, but gave it up by 28 and eventually took work as a cabbie, occasionally acting in small roles on programs such as "The Bill." He and his wife moved to Essex in 1993, admitting that they overspent in redesigning their home. The couple has three children, the youngest of whom struggles in school as Tony once did, and Tony admits that he is not much of a disciplinarian. He also confesses to "courting trouble" during his marriage, but his wife states that she has forgiven him and they have worked through their problems. He visits a racetrack at which he was once a bookie runner and observes that the East End is growing more "cosmopolitan," and then shares memories of his late parents as he visits their graves, eventually concluding that he is content with his life.

Suzy, who was previously "cynical" about marriage, discusses her twenty-year relationship with Rupert, with whom she has three children. She explains that she chose to stay home to raise her children personally, though is now involved in work as a bereavement counselor, partially inspired by her own experience with her parents' death. Rupert resigned from his job at 35 and started his own refurbishment business, which was ultimately successful, though the couple confesses to ongoing financial worries. Suzy notes that her experience at boarding school made her feel "rejected" and that ages fourteen through twenty-one were particularly difficult due to her parents' divorce, adding that her greatest fear is dying before her children have grown.

Symon grew up in a children's home and offers his youthful views on poverty versus wealth, later observing that illegitimacy was a bigger social taboo in his childhood than it is now. He married, divorced and remarried by age 42, having also had several children, the youngest of whom is named after his own father, despite his absence from Symon's life. He admits that his children are still struggling with his divorce from his first wife, though he is committed to remaining a presence in their lives. He works as a forklift driver and only occasionally indulges his artistic interests on the side, and he reflects on his regrets about his relationship with his mother, who died in 1990. He explains that he has dealt with prejudice from both blacks and white for being biracial, observing that race affects one's life "depending on what you want."

Bruce attended the prestigious St. Paul's School in London and then studied math at Oxford, eventually becoming a teacher in both London and Bangladesh. He recently married fellow teacher Penelope, and they discuss his impromptu proposal and their somewhat unusual wedding ceremony, commenting on "the biggest shocks" of marriage and their effects on one another's lives. He explains that he would like to become a senior teacher at some point, though is disinterested in leaving the classroom for a more authoritative position. The couple is unsure about having children, though Penelope declares him to be the "nicest person" she has met.

Jackie, Lynn and Sue have been friends since the series' first installment, and they discuss their various life choices over the years. Lynn first worked in a mobile library and then settled in Bethnal Green after marrying at nineteen and having two daughters. She comments on her strong partnership with her husband and on the deaths of her parents, also revealing that she has a health problem that gives her a one percent chance of a fatal brain hemorrhage, but has decided not to dwell on it. She declines to elaborate on her spiritual beliefs, though notes that she is bothered by a general "lack of respect" in today's society.

Sue married at twenty-four and had two children, though she divorced by 35 and raised her children mostly on her own, which she calls "extremely hard" and often lonely. She started work at the University of London once her children were school-aged, acknowledging that money is often tight and that she still longs to do "wild things" with her life. She asserts that she is not a "perfect parent" and credits her own parents with helping to raise her children.

Jackie too was divorced by 35 and previously stated that she did not want children, but a short-term relationship resulted in her son Charlie, and she declares him "the best thing that could have happened" to her. She eventually remarried, had two more sons and moved to her husband's hometown, a small village outside of Glasgow. That relationship ended as well, though she notes that her ex frequently sees the children, and explains that she lived in temporary accommodation for seven weeks and was aided by friends and family in finding new housing. She explains that her mother-in-law is very helpful with the kids and declares that she intends to push her kids harder than her father did her. She adds that she has recently developed rheumatoid arthritis, which complicates both her work life and her parenting habits, but states that she is otherwise content with her life.

Nick, a Yorkshire farmer's son, studied physics at Oxford and eventually became an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin, writing scientific books on the side. He and his journalism professor wife have one son, though he notes that he would "dearly love" more children, and he heads back to The Dales where he grew up for his first visit in five years. He explains that his father is soon to retire and that neither he nor his brothers have an interest in taking over the farm, and he visits his former school and church and reflects on the local environment.

Paul was raised in a children's home in London and eventually emigrated to Melbourne with his father and stepmother. As a youth he declares that he is not interested in marriage, but he later wed and had two children, whom he takes on a visit to London to explore his roots. After working as a bricklayer and a subcontractor and attending carpentry school, he settled into work at a plastic company, admitting that he can be a "pretty angry person" and finds solace in riding horses. The couple moves to a larger house in another Melbourne suburb and his wife makes money as a mobile hairdresser, and they reflect on a cross-country trip that they took in their twenties, wondering if they should move out of Melbourne entirely. When asked, Paul declares that his happiest times are family holidays, and his wife observes that it is "nice to be loved."

John, Andrew and Charles note that their interviews at age seven were "funny," but they are now doubtful that they have anything insightful to offer. Andrew studied law at Cambridge and become a solicitor and a partner by age 35. He married the "down-to-Earth" Jane and had two sons, and they explain that they hire a babysitter once a week in order to enjoy a private date night together. The family visits New York City, and Andrew explains that he is considering boarding school for both boys, though Jane notes that it will take some getting used to. He notes that very little has gone wrong in their lives so far, admitting that he is "not too adventurous." John studied law at Oxford and became a barrister and eventually a Queen's Counsel, though he declined to participate in this installment. Charles attended Durham University instead of his intended Oxford and, after "scribbling away" at a newspaper for a while, became a producer for Channel 4, also opting not to appear in this film.

Neil grew up in a Liverpool suburb and dropped out of the University of Aberdeen after a term, eventually becoming homeless by age 28. He moved into a council estate in the Shetland Islands, admitting that he is known as "an eccentric" and expected to be homeless again within seven years' time, but he was later elected to the Hackney Council, explaining that he had long wished to be involved in politics, citing apathy as the leading cause of bad government. He notes that moving back to London was challenging and reveals that he stayed with Bruce for two months before finding housing after a dinner celebrating the release of "28 Up." He explains that he still lives on state benefits and feels like "a drain" on society, adding that he does not wish to pass his traits onto children and often doubts his own sanity, though credits his strong Christian faith and loyal friends with helping him in life. He is soon reelected to the council and declares that he is encouraged by looking ahead to the future.

The interviewees then briefly comment on their feelings about class and education in Britain, and then discuss the experience of appearing in the films and dealing with their relative fame. Footage is then shown of the first program, with the seven-year-olds visiting a zoo and enjoying an afternoon at a playground.

Details

NETWORK: ITV
DATE: November 30, 2000
RUNNING TIME: 2:14:36
COLOR/B&W: Color
CATALOG ID: B:74483
GENRE: Documentary
SUBJECT HEADING: Documentary; Social classes; Britain
SERIES RUN: ITV - TV series, 1964-
COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

Ruth Pitt … Executive Producer
Stephen Lambert … Executive Producer
Michael Apted … Producer, Director
Claire Lewis … Co-Producer
Tony Walker … Interviewee
Suzy Lusk … Interviewee
Symon Basterfield … Interviewee
Bruce Balden … Interviewee
Jackie Bassett … Interviewee
Lynn Johnson … Interviewee
Susan Davis … Interviewee
Nick Hitchon … Interviewee
Paul Kligerman … Interviewee
John Brisby … Interviewee
Andrew Brackfield … Interviewee
Charles Furneaux … Interviewee
Neil Hughes … Interviewee

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