Known for Directing
Michael David Apted CMG (10 February 1941 – 7 January 2021) was an English television and film director and producer. Apted began working in television and directed the Up documentary series from 1970 to 2019. He later directed Coal Miner's Daughter (1980), which was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. His subsequent work included Gorillas in the Mist (1988), Nell (1994), the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough (1999), and Enigma (2001). His film Amazing Grace (2006) premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival that year. On 29 June 2003, he was elected president of the Directors Guild of America, a position he served until 2009. He was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 2008 Birthday Honours. Description above from the Wikipedia article Michael Apted, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Born
February 10, 1941
Died
January 8, 2021 (age 79)
Birthplace
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England, UK
Filmography
97 films, 30 shows


63 Up
2019 · 2h 25m
country: United Kingdom
Director Michael Apted revisits the same group of British-born adults after a 7 year wait. The subjects are interviewed as to the changes that have occurred in their lives during the last seven years.


Unlocked
2017 · 1h 38m
country: United Kingdom
After failing to apprehend the terrorist behind a Paris attack that claimed dozens of lives, CIA agent Alice Racine is forced to live in London as a caseworker. Her mentor unexpectedly calls her back into action when the CIA discovers that another attack is imminent. Alice soon learns that the classified information she's uncovered has been compromised...


Bending the Light
2014 · 1h
country: Japan
From acclaimed director Michael Apted (The Up Series, Masters of Sex, The World is Not Enough) comes a revealing look at the art of filmmaking and photography. A journey of glass, the documentary explores the relationship between the artisans who create camera lenses and the masters of light who use these lenses to capture their beloved art form. Bending the Light features never-before-seen footage from inside a premier Japanese lens factory, intimate interviews with lens engineers, and a peek into the world of award-winning photographers and cinematographers Stephen Goldblatt, ASC, BSC, Greg Gorman, Simon Bruty, Laura El-Tantawy, and Richard Barnes.


Chasing Mavericks
2012 · 1h 56m
country: United States
Surfer Jay Moriarity sets out to ride the Northern California break known as Mavericks.


56 Up
2012 · 2h 24m
country: United Kingdom
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.


The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
2010 · 1h 53m
country: United Kingdom
This time around Edmund and Lucy Pevensie, along with their pesky cousin Eustace Scrubb find themselves swallowed into a painting and on to a fantastic Narnian ship headed for the very edges of the world.


The Power of the Game
2007 · 1h 40m
country: United States
Six intertwining stories showcase the social impact of football across the world.


The Grand Finale
2006 · 1h 32m
country: Switzerland
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six populated continents participated in the qualification process which began in September 2003. Thirty-one teams qualified from this process, along with the host nation, Germany, for the finals tournament. Italy won the tournament, claiming their fourth World Cup title. They defeated France 5–3 in a penalty shootout in the final, after extra time had finished in a 1–1 draw. Germany defeated Portugal 3–1 to finish third.
Married in America 2
Married in America 2
2006 · 2h 12m
country: Unknown
From award-winning director Michael Apted, MARRIED IN AMERICA 2 is the second film in an ongoing documentary about the challenges of marriage in the 21st century.


49 Up
2006 · 2h 15m
country: United Kingdom
49 Up is the seventh film in a series of landmark documentaries that began 42 years ago when UK-based Granada's World in Action team, inspired by the Jesuit maxim "Give me the child until he is seven and I will give you the man," interviewed a diverse group of seven-year-old children from all over England, asking them about their lives and their dreams for the future. Michael Apted, a researcher for the original film, has returned to interview the "children" every seven years since, at ages 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and now again at age 49.In this latest chapter, more life-changing decisions are revealed, more shocking announcements made and more of the original group take part than ever before, speaking out on a variety of subjects including love, marriage, career, class and prejudice.


Amazing Grace
2006 · 1h 57m
country: United States
The true story of William Wilberforce and his courageous quest to end the British slave trade. Along the way, Wilberforce meets intense opposition, but his minister urges him to see the cause through.


Lipstick
2002 · 10m
country: Unknown
Emily hangs with her friends, plays soccer and looks forward to graduation. She also has a secret girlfriend. Will her friends still love her when she comes out?


Married in America
2002 · 2h 18m
country: Unknown
Following the experiences of a handful of couples over the course of a decade, producer Michael Apted shows how this ancient institution expresses itself in contemporary American society. Introduces the couples and follows them through the days and weeks preceding their weddings.


Enough
2002 · 1h 54m
country: United States
Working-class waitress Slim thought she was entering a life of domestic bliss when she married Mitch, the man of her dreams. After the arrival of their first child, her picture perfect life is shattered when she discovers Mitch's hidden possessive dark side, a controlling and abusive alter ego that can turn trust, love and tranquility into terror. Terrified for her child's safety, Slim flees with her daughter. Relentless in his pursuit and enlisting the aid of lethal henchmen, Mitch continually stalks the prey that was once his family.


Enigma
2001 · 1h 59m
country: Germany
The story of the WWII project to crack the code behind the Enigma machine, used by the Germans to encrypt messages sent to their submarines.


Me & Isaac Newton
2000
country: Unknown
Seven of today's top scientist/researchers are the subject of this humourous exploration of real people behind the white lab coats; more about what makes the tick than what they have per-se accomplished. Chosen because the subjects are the very best in their particular fields, featured are Gertrude Elion, Ashok Gadgil, Michio Kaku, Maja Materic, Steven Pinker, Karol Sikora and Patricia C. Wright. Written by Len Massaar


42 Up
1999 · 2h 13m
country: United Kingdom
Director Michael Apted revisits the same group of British-born adults after a 7 year wait. The subjects are interviewed as to the changes that have occurred in their lives during the last seven years.


The World Is Not Enough
1999 · 2h 8m
country: United Kingdom
Greed, revenge, world dominance and high-tech terrorism – it's all in a day's work for Bond, who's on a mission to protect a beautiful oil heiress from a notorious terrorist. In a race against time that culminates in a dramatic submarine showdown, Bond works to defuse the international power struggle that has the world's oil supply hanging in the balance.


Always Outnumbered
1998 · 1h 44m
country: United States
An ex-con moves to L.A. to find work and creates a disturbance by fighting for a position. More importantly he touches the lives of many of his neighbors including an older man dying of cancer, a young married couple whose husband is too proud to accept a lesser position which causes strife with his wife, and a young boy on the verge of getting in trouble with street gangs.
Inspirations
Inspirations
1997 · 1h 40m
country: Unknown
This latest documentary film by Michael Apted explores the creative process through candid discussion with seven artists from diverse media. David Bowie, Roy Lichtenstein, Dale Chihuly, Edouard Locke, Louise LeCavalier, and Nora Noranjo-Morse answer the questions regarding their particular artforms: "How do you create your problems, and how do you go about solving them?"


Extreme Measures
1996 · 1h 58m
country: United States
Guy Luthan, a British doctor working at a hospital in New York, starts making unwelcome enquiries when the body of a man who died in his emergency room disappears. After the trail leads Luthan to the door of an eminent surgeon at the hospital, Luthan soon finds himself in extreme danger from people who want the hospital's secret to remain undiscovered.


Nell
1994 · 1h 52m
country: United States
In a remote woodland cabin, a small town doctor discovers Nell — a beautiful young hermit woman with many secrets.
Moving the Mountain
Moving the Mountain
1994 · 1h 23m
country: Unknown
ON JUNE 4th 1989, CHINA WAS CHANGED FOREVER. Beijing, May, 1989. the world watched as a hundred students became a thousand, as thousands became a million - and a nation starved of freedom, cried out for a taste of democracy. In this compelling film, director Michael Apted (Nell, Gorillas in the Mist), captures the power and passion of the Tiananmen Square uprising through a unique combination of newsreel footage, dramatic re-enactments and extensive input from the actual student leaders. Exploring their personal histories, reflections and thoughts on the future. MOVING THE MOUNTAIN paints a portrait of courage, conviction, and commitment that the NEW YORK POST calls, "A soaring - and sobering - tribute to the human spirit."


Blink
1993 · 1h 46m
country: United States
Emma is an attractive girl in her 20s who has been blind for 20 years. A new type of eye operation partially restores her sight, but she is having problems: sometimes she doesn't "remember" what she's seen until later. One night she is awakened by a commotion upstairs. Peering out of her door, she sees a shadowy figure descending the stairs. Convinced that her neighbour has been murdered she approaches the police, only to find that she is unsure if it was just her new eyes playing tricks on her.


Incident at Oglala
1992 · 1h 29m
country: United States
On June 26, 1975, during a period of high tensions on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, two FBI agents were killed in a shootout with a group of Indians. Although several men were charged with killing the agents, only one, Leonard Peltier, was found guilty. This film describes the events surrounding the shootout and suggests that Peltier was unjustly convicted.


Thunderheart
1992 · 1h 59m
country: United States
A young mixed-blood FBI agent is assigned to work with a cynical veteran investigator on a murder on a poverty-stricken Sioux reservation.


35 Up
1991 · 1h 56m
country: United Kingdom
Director Michael Apted revisits the same group of British-born adults after a 7 year wait. The subjects are interviewed as to the changes that have occurred in their lives during the last seven years.


Class Action
1991 · 1h 45m
country: United States
A liberal activist lawyer alienated his daughter Maggie years ago when she discovered his many affairs. Now a conservative corporate lawyer, Maggie agrees to go up against her father in court. To gain promotion, she must defend an auto manufacturer against charges that their explosion-prone station wagons are unsafe. As her mother begs for peace, Maggie takes on her dad in a trial that turns increasingly personal and nasty.


The Long Way Home
1989 · 1h 22m
country: Unknown
A documentary about Boris Grebenshikov, frontman of the legendary Russian art-rock band Akvarium ("Аквариум"). It was filmed as part of promo campaign for his own first album released in English and recorded with Eurythmics.


Gorillas in the Mist
1988 · 2h 9m
country: United States
The story of Dian Fossey, a scientist who came to Africa to study the vanishing mountain gorillas, and later fought to protect them.


Critical Condition
1987 · 1h 40m
country: United States
Eddie is a con artist. When he's framed and comes before a judge, he hopes to get off the hook by claiming insanity—but instead ends up in a hospital for a mental assessment. That night, a storm causes a power failure and, in the ensuing chaos, Eddie is mistaken for a doctor and suddenly finds himself in charge of the hospital.


Sting - Bring on the Night
1985 · 1h 37m
country: United States
Bring on the Night is a 1985 documentary film, that focuses on the jazz-inspired project and band led by the British musician Sting during the early stages of his solo career. Some of the songs, whose recording sessions are featured in the film, appeared on his debut solo album The Dream of the Blue Turtles. Each musician in the band through the course of the film is interviewed.


28 Up
1984 · 2h 16m
country: United Kingdom
Just two years away from turning 30, participants in Michael Apted's documentary series are facing serious questions of identity and purpose, wondering whether they've found their place in the world.


Firstborn
1984 · 1h 43m
country: United States
Because he's the oldest, Jake has been the man of the house, since his parents divorce. When Mom starts seeing Sam, who always seems to be trying some new way to get rich quick, and declares he's the man of the house now, Jake puts up with it. Until he discovers Sam's illegal activities.


Gorky Park
1983 · 2h 8m
country: United States
Police Inspector Renko tries to solve the case of three bodies found in Moscow's Gorky Park but finds his attempts to solve the crime impeded by his superiors. Working on his own, Renko seeks out more information and stumbles across a conspiracy involving the highest levels of the government.


P'tang, Yang, Kipperbang
1982 · 1h 17m
country: United Kingdom
Summer, 1948. 14-year-old Alan has just three wishes: that there will be lasting peace, that England will win the Ashes, and that he will finally kiss classmate Ann. So when he's cast opposite her in a play that requires a kiss and England seem to be doing well in cricket, life couldn't be better.


Continental Divide
1981 · 1h 43m
country: United States
A hard-nosed Chicago journalist has an unlikely love affair with an eagle researcher.


Coal Miner's Daughter
1980 · 2h 5m
country: United States
Biography of Loretta Lynn, a country and western singer that came from poverty to fame.


Agatha
1979 · 1h 39m
country: United Kingdom
England, 1926. An American journalist looks for mystery writer Agatha Christie when she suddenly disappears without explanation, leaving no trace.


Stronger Than the Sun
1978 · 1h 35m
country: Unknown
Kate works in the nuclear industry. She is concerned about the way things are being run. So she smuggles out some Plutonium to prove how easy it is. She tries to pass it on to protest groups, but nobody is interested as they have their own agendas.


21 Up
1977 · 1h 40m
country: United Kingdom
After another 7 year wait, director Michael Apted revisits the same group of British-born children from Seven Up! and 7 Plus Seven. The subjects are interviewed as to the changes that have occurred in their lives during the last seven years.


The Squeeze
1977 · 1h 44m
country: United Kingdom
An alcoholic London ex-cop becomes involved in a kidnapping drama and tries to free the daughter of a friend from a brutal gangster mob.


The Paradise Run
1976 · 50m
country: United Kingdom
Johnny has joined the army because he likes canoeing, but ends up in a war-torn city and is compromised into helping the enemy. However, desertion will not be a solution, and he finds himself more distressed than ever.


The Collection
1976 · 1h 4m
country: United Kingdom
Set in the rarefied world of West End boutique owners and fashion designers, The Collection takes as its departure point the moment when four elegant lives are suddenly shaken by the suggestion of infidelity. The sinister anonymous phone call that disturbs Harry Kane at four o'clock in the morning becomes increasingly hard to establish...


Wednesday Love
1975 · 1h 10m
country: Unknown
Two women, looking for amusement on their afternoons off, visit a drinking club.


Haunted: Poor Girl
1974 · 50m
country: United Kingdom
An Edwardian governess finds herself trapped inside a haunted house.


Stardust
1974 · 1h 47m
country: United Kingdom
Jim MacLaine is now enjoying the nomadic 'gigs and groupies' life on tour with his band. When he achieves all his wildest dreams of international stardom, the sweet taste of success begins to turn sour.


Jack Point
1973 · 1h 20m
country: Unknown
Rivalry at a local Gilbert and Sullivan Society over who will play Jack Point in the Silver Jubilee production. Rowland Matthews has always been the main star, but he is getting on, and the young Clive Bates is a strong rival.


Highway Robbery
1973 · 1h 20m
country: Unknown
Terry and his family fight against a planned eviction when the council decides on a road building programme and their house is in its path.


Kisses at Fifty
1973 · 1h 10m
country: United Kingdom
A father leaves his grown-up family to move in with his lover in the south, alienating himself from his four children.


The Triple Echo
1972 · 1h 37m
country: United Kingdom
After her husband is captured during WWII, homesteader Alice is forced to maintain their land herself. One day, a wandering soldier named Barton stops by the farm and the pair begin a relationship. When the military police pass through the area looking for deserters, Barton is forced to disguise himself as a woman to stay with Alice. But he soon catches the eye of a sergeant posted nearby.


The Reporters
1972 · 1h 15m
country: United Kingdom
Two provincial newspaper reporters - one a young idealist starting out on his career, the other an embittered man who previously wrote for a failed national daily - swap views.
Said the Preacher
Said the Preacher
1972 · 30m
country: United Kingdom
"I like preaching... Only two things in my life have ever excited me as much: playing football and making love." But his congregation feel he's gone too far this time...


Another Sunday and Sweet F.A.
1972 · 53m
country: United Kingdom
Mr. Armistead is the referee for an amateur league Sunday Football match. Disliked and abused by all the players he tries to play fair and ensure they follow the rules. By the end of the match he's had enough and really uses his head to show them that he's not as useless as they all think.
The Mosedale Horseshoe
The Mosedale Horseshoe
1971 · 50m
country: United Kingdom
The story of four Lakeland walkers who attempt to climb a fell. The fells represent the highlight of their year. They all have dull and uninteresting jobs and their only chance of relieving the boredom is in the fells After five years of weekends together they had never managed to reach the top of the Horseshoe, but were always defeated by something trivial. By the sixth year their combined failure to get to the summit took on the proportions of a tragedy especially they all saw it matching the situation in their everyday lives. Filmed on location
The Day They Buried Cleaver
The Day They Buried Cleaver
1970 · 50m
country: United Kingdom
The Chief Constable of a grimy northern town runs it his particular way with all natural human failings, bending the rules for the benefit of the majority. According to the book he is wrong, blatantly wrong. Now his nephew, Police Constable Tom Corsby is out to expose his corruption.


7 Plus Seven
1970 · 52m
country: United Kingdom
After a 7 year wait, director Michael Apted revisits the same group of British-born children from Seven Up! The subjects are interviewed as to the changes that have occurred in their lives during the last seven years.
Don't Touch Him, He Might Resent It
Don't Touch Him, He Might Resent It
1970
country: Unknown
A group of business enjoying a lavish night on expenses at the Atlantis Hotel fear it is the end of the road for their fradulent collaboration when they suspect a Fraud Squad investigator is in their midst. Comedy based on an idea from Gogol's play 'The Government Inspector'.


Your Name's Not God, It's Edgar
1968 · 1h 14m
country: Unknown
Edgar Lunt lives his life by scientific principles, that is, for every action there is a reaction. He believes that any pleasure he might have, will mean, somebody will suffer somewhere else. The result is he is not very happy at all, until Trevor, a young student,tries to show him a fresh outlook on life.
Number Ten
Number Ten
1968 · 1h 19m
country: Unknown
The Prime Minister heads a cabinet divided on the question of either using force against an African state, or referring the matter to the United Nations.


There's a Hole in Your Dustbin, Delilah
1968 · 1h 18m
country: United Kingdom
A skiving bin gang are on high alert when their new inspector takes an interest.


It’s Dearer After Midnight
1968 · 50m
country: United Kingdom
A two-hander, set in a fictional Northern city, featuring Keith Barron as a taxi driver and Sian Phillips as the customer he takes to a strip club in the city.
Who Pays?
Who Pays?
1968
country: Unknown
After a scout troupe is tragically mowed down by a truck, responsibility passes around the driver, the poorly sited roadworks and the scout master for allowing his charges on the main road.
Son of the City
Son of the City
1967
country: Unknown
Welfare worker Carol is attacked in a swimming pool by the attendant George Lease.