Growing Up

1971 0h 22m EN

😐

5.4

MID

★5.4TMDB · 5

Documentary

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Freedom of expression and sexual liberation might have defined the 1960s but by 1971 the British education system was far from ready for Dr Cole's explicit series A New Approach to Sex Education. Made as a teaching aid for use in schools an universities, the Growing Up was unprecedented in its depictions of erect penises, un-simulated masturbation and intercourse to describe the development of the human body and sexuality to students.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Martin Cole
Himself - Narrator

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Arnold L. Miller
Writers: Martin Cole
Languages: English
Countries: United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 22-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

ERA

Did you know

55 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

RUNTIME

Did you know

Part of the "The Joy of Sex Education" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

ERA

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Mike Dunk shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0405952 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

Only 5 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Arnold L. Miller directs. Mike Dunk cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United Kingdom. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 22-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
255 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
3Part of the "The Joy of Sex Education" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
4Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
5Editor Mike Dunk shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6IMDB entry: tt0405952 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
7Only 5 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Editing: Mike Dunk
Runtime: 22 min · 0h 22m
Status: Released
Original language: EN
Certification (US): 18
IMDB: Growing Up (1971)

Part of

The Joy of Sex Education

A survey of sex education through the ages. Many of the early films highlight Britain's horror at the very thought of sex and sexuality. Euphemisms abound and, if you can get away with making your point with the aid of a few birds or rabbits, why not? Even some mildly amorous pollen gets in on the act as a stand-in for something otherwise far too unpleasant to show. At least it saved the teachers' blushes. Despite the often unintentional humour, the films provide a vivid snapshot of the nation's concerns and anxieties across the decades. Not only did they teach us to keep our trousers firmly zipped, but also managed to underline the establishment's attitude towards women. Loose of morals and self-control, women are invariably portrayed as the spreaders of disease and responsible for just about every 'misfortune' that comes their way.