56 Up (2012): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2012, 56 Up is a documentary film directed by Michael Apted, running about 144 minutes. “Give me a child until he is seven and I will give you the man” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. When a cross-section of seven-year-olds were interviewed for 7 Up in 1964 it was immediately evident that their social backgrounds influenced their attitudes towards life. While the upper class children were confident and self-assured, those from middle and working class backgrounds were resigned to a challenging life of hard work. This premise was put to the test every seven years when the same group were interviewed about the progression of their lives. 49 years in the making, the changes that occurred to the original 14 make for fascinating television and are in many ways the stories of all our lives. From success and disappointment, marriage and childbirth, to poverty and illness, nearly every facet of life has been captured on film. Now, at the age of 56, the group are once more brought together and, with the benefit of hindsight, assess whether their lives have been ruled by circumstance or self-determination.

Who’s in it. 56 Up stars Peter Davies as Self, Neil Hughes as Himself, Tony Walker as Himself and Lynn Johnson as Herself, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 7.1/10, 56 Up has been warmly received by audiences.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on OVID and rent or buy it from Apple TV Store. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch 56 Up page.

If you liked it. Fans of 56 Up tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.