Michael Apted is a British director, producer, writer, and actor. He is best known for directing ‘Up Series.’ The latest installment of the documentary series, ’63 UP,’ aired in 2019. His first work that aired on screen was a documentary series titled ‘World in Action,’ in 1963. This was followed by the direction of 8 episodes of the TV series ‘Coronation Street’ (1966-67). He made his first feature film, ‘The Triple Echo,’ in 1972. The film was screened at the ‘8th Moscow International Film Festival.’ He also directed a few episodes of TV shows, such as ‘Parkin's Patch’ (1969), ‘ITV Playhouse’ (1968-72), ‘Play for Today’ (1972-77), and ‘Masters of Sex’ (2013-16). Some of his popular films include ‘Stardust’ (1974), ‘The Squeeze’ (1977), ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ (1980), ‘Thunder Heart’ (1992), ‘Enigma’ (2001), and ‘Amazing Grace’ (2006). His unsuccessful films include ‘Critical Condition’ (1987) and ‘Enough’ (2002).
Loretta Webb is the daughter of a poor coal miner who gets married at the age of fifteen. When her husband recognizes her musical talent, he encourages her to become a musician and over time, she rises to become a star.
During World War II, in England, a man named Barton deserts the army and finds refuge on the farm of Alice. With Alice’s help, Barton hides under the disguise of a woman named Cathy. When a local sergeant takes interest in Cathy and invites her to a party, tragedy is waiting just around the corner.
In the 15th century, Vlad Dracula returns from a war to find that his wife has committed suicide. In the 19th century, he returns as the client of solicitor Jonathan Harker, whose fiancé Mina, he believes is the reincarnation of his wife. Dracula captures Jonathan and wreaks havoc, especially on Mina’s friend Lucy. Now Lucy’s friends and a vampire killer, Van Helsing, decide to end his terror.
Amazing Grace is a biographical drama film which takes us to 18th century England. The film revolves around William Wilberforce and William Pitt, two politicians who begin a battle to abolish the slave trade in Great Britain.
Gorky Park is a mystery thriller film which revolves around Detective Renko, who is assigned to solve a triple murder that occurs in Gorky Park in Moscow. He soon suspects that there is a big political conspiracy behind the murder, and that the Russian government might be involved.
The film, which is a sequel to That’ll be the Day, shows how rock-star, Jim MacLaine, rapidly climbs the ladder of success while he loses almost everything on personal front. Jim’s supposed best friend and manager Mike is largely the root cause, though he pretends to do everything for Jim’s good. Ultimately, the star ends up with drug addiction and other issues.
Chasing Mavericks is a sports drama film, which tells the story of Jay Moriarty, a young surfer, whose goal is to ride the Mavericks, one of the world’s biggest tidal waves. In order to help him reach his goal, he takes the help of a local surfing legend.
Gorillas in the Mist is a biographical drama film based on the life of wildlife expert Dian Fossey. She leaves the US for Rwanda and Uganda where she studies the gorillas. She soon starts developing a bond with the animals, and feels worried as they may go extinct due to the ongoing poaching. She puts her own life at risk in order to try and protect the animals.
Billy returns home after serving 13 years for a crime he didn’t commit, and meets his teenage daughter Jonsy for the first time. Their relationship is somewhat strained at first, but as he draws her into a boat restoration task, the two bond together. Threats from his corrupt parole officer turn things difficult for him, but Jonsy stands by Billy in support.
An FBI agent of mixed blood is sent to a reservation for an investigation of a homicide. He is partnered with a veteran named Agent Frank who thinks that the culprit might be Maggie Bear, a Native American political activist.
Ernie is a tough Chicago reporter, who is assaulted by two cops, after he gets too close to the mob. His editor decides to send him to Colorado on another case, which involves investigating an eagle researcher.
Raised in a remote mountain cabin of North Carolina, young Nell’s entire world is her mother and twin sister, Mae, with whom she communicates in a mangled language. Country doctor Jerome Lovell, who finds her after her mother’s death, is fascinated by her. Psychology student Paula Olsen also wants to observe Nell. They both try to introduce Nell to the outer world.
Following the assassination of a British oil tycoon, Bond is assigned to protect his daughter Elektra King from Renard, a KGB agent-turned-terrorist who cannot feel pain because of a bullet lodged in his brain. He begins to question the motives of his charge as he attempts to save Europe from Renard's nuclear plot with physicist Dr. Christmas Jones.
Enigma is a war thriller romance film which takes us to the time of the Second World War. The British authorities enlist the help of Tom Jericho, a young genius, to help them break an important code of the Nazis. Meanwhile, he needs to solve another mystery behind a woman whom he is in love with.
Lucy and Edmund Pevensie, with their cousin Eustace, are swept to the ocean of Narnia where King Caspian and his royal ship ‘The Dawn Treader’ rescue them. As they join Caspian in his mission to find the mystical swords of the seven lost lords of Telmar, they face dragons, merfolks, dwarves and lost warriors while traveling to the edge of the world.
Unlocked is a mystery action thriller film which tells the story of a CIA Agent Alice Racine, who is assigned to investigate an intelligence alert about a biological attack in London.
Emma is a beautiful girl in her 20s who has been blind for two decades. Eventually, her eyesight is restored by a new type of revolutionary surgery, but the problem is that sometimes she is unable to remember what she sees. When Emma becomes a witness to a murder, she joins up with the police to track down a serial killer.
Based on the novel of the same name, Extreme Measures is a crime thriller film which tells the story of a young doctor who confronts one of his colleagues after he comes across unethical medical sacrifices being conducted in his hospital.
Enough is a suspense crime drama film, which tells the story of Slim, a former waitress, who is married to a wealthy contractor named Mitch. However, when Mitch becomes abusive, Slim has no other option but to empower herself to battle him.
Michael Apted Awards
| Play for Today | Best Single Play | 1974 |
| Bring on the Night | Best Music Video, Long Form | 1987 |
