Among the many thousands of hours I’ve watched in my life as a TV critic, Michael Apted’s Up series stands out as one of the most brilliant pieces of television I ever had the privilege to see.

Taking children from different social backgrounds, all born in 1956, the documentary series (first aired in 1964) began from the Jesuit premise: “Give me a child until he is seven and I will give you the man.”

The project was the first major one for the young director Michael Apted, who died this week, aged 79. Tributes poured in from around the world for a man who went on to direct the James Bond movie, The World Is Not Enough, among many other things.

But it was his returning every seven years to film the young people in whose lives he became so involved that, for me, he will be most remembered.

I’ve followed their development since day one, the added interest being that we are of a similar age (I was born in 1958); they always seemed like extended family to me. When 63 Up was broadcast in 2019, I could not help but experience melancholy as I thought back to my seven year old self and contemplated whether, at that age, my path was already set. 

Had I been lucky? Had I achieved all I had hoped for? Had my expectations and dreams been realized? 

How many of us will still be alive if the series continues without Michael – 70 Up, 77 Up, 84 Up, 91 Up, 98 Up. How many of us will get to see 100 – 105 Up? Probably none; the poignancy of the series is the underlying sense of mortality as the years go on and, one day, the seven year old will be no more.  

I won’t summarize the individuals’ journeys (if you haven’t seen the series, I urge you to do so), but not only is it extraordinary for its social commentary, it is a tribute to the nature of simply being human: the emotions, choices, difficulties, sadness, laughter and love we all share, irrespective of class.

Michael Apted: you left the world a better place for your having been in it: Your legacy and reputation will live on: 79 Up.