Life Of John (49 UP)

In 1964 a group of seven year old children were interviewed for the documentary "Seven Up". They've been filmed every seven years since. NOW THEY ARE 49

"Give me the child until he is seven and I will give you the man."

Starting in 1964 with Seven Up, The UP Series has explored this Jesuit maxim. The original concept was to interview 14 children from diverse backgrounds from all over England, asking them about their lives and their dreams for the future. Every seven years, renowned director Michael Apted, a researcher for Seven Up, has been back to talk to them, examining the progression of their lives

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• personals
• bulgaria
• pension
• england
• charity

[SuicideIsPainless]

I feel sorry for John. You get the sense that he didn't have a childhood. A child of of 7 should not be that uptight. I don't get the impression he came from a very loving home, in fact it seems he was passed off to the boarding school system as soon as he was old enough. Only now does he seem to be finding any sort of happiness, and that seems to come from helping people. I hope he keeps on. He looks to be working himself to an early grave.

[SuicideIsPainless]

I love how he kept the same part in his hair for over forty years.

[DazedConfused1969]

Charlie Watts in the 35 one olol

[bobbelafonte]

John is my favorite from the series.

[Msnessy2011]

God bless you john, you are a top bloke. All the best to you and your familly

[CapitalBhoy78]

Simon #1

To be fair John he didn't turn out to be a total prick like I'd anticipated. Really tremendous work done in relation to Bulgaria.

His ultimate downfall was not having any of Paul's hilarious lines such as "I don't like greens" and "What does university mean?"

Simon 10/10

Paul 9/10

John 6/10

[alpal2525]

Thank you, John, for rejoining the series at 49--I look forward to seeing what you are doing at 56. The story of your life is very encouraging to many of us--the way you have become so sensitive to the needs of others, particularly those in Bulgaria. You have also opened my eyes to the problems there, and in other parts of eastern Europe, particularly for children.

[riemh]

John you did it!!! You went from privileged and precocious to a socially-minded part of the solution and not the problem!! Well done John!!! I applaud your efforts for Bulgaria's children and heritage!!! Your wife too of course!!!

[broadleygreen]

I think the project does have a value. This man is fundamentally decent. If you only saw the first programme you would have imagined that he would have turned out totally selfish and reactionary. As it is you see this superior pose becoming less and less tenable and him becoming more and more modest and more human. This proves that class is not the issue. Good luck to him and God bless.

[JusticeForTheYoung]

I really love John. He does so much good for Bulgaria. I heard his charity, Friends of Bulgaria, helped shut down the Mogilino institution for disabled children in 2009. He really had a change of heart somewhere between 28-35. The only thing I am worried for him, is that he is aging rapidly. I do hope he takes time to rest, because John Brisby has a lot to offer in this world, and a premature death would be a massive loss.

[patty6924]

That's how the English do it. I'd cross the pond for that amount of opporrtunity.

[1magine]

John makes viewers question, and compare themselves, to a privileged but pressured upbringing. His success later in life makes you wonder if it's better, if its worth it, to be lacking in certain childhood areas. Symon (the black male) obviously has more "heart" than John, but their economic success contrast greatly. Which is better?