Legendary Australian film critic David Stratton dead at 85

Courier-Mail

3 days ago

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Legendary film critic David Stratton has died at the age of 85.
Stratton was best known to film fans for appearing alongside Margaret Pomeranz for decades on numerous movie review shows.
The writer's family announced his death on Thursday afternoon, saying he died peacefully in hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains.
'David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives,' said his family in a statement.
Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton. Picture: Getty.
The pair rose to fame on
The Movie Show together. Picture: Supplied.
'He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grand father and admired friend.
'David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime.'
Stratton's family has asked for privacy in the wake of his death, but they shared a heartwarming request with his fans as a way of paying tribute to the beloved critic.
Something To Talk About
At the movies with David Stratton
Before he retired last year, David Stratton spent nearly six decades reviewing movies. And millions of Australians came to know and love him thanks to an on-air partnership with fellow critic Margaret Pomeranz, which turned them into household names and one of the most beloved double acts in the country.
On the show today, David joins Sarrah from his home – where he is still watching one, and often two, movies each day – to discuss his latest project, a book that chronicles three pivotal decades in Australian film; his enduring friendship with Margaret; his thoughts on some of his most infamous reviews – including an initially lukewarm reaction to comedy classic The Castle, and another that landed him in hot water with Julie Andrews - and the one film he thought was so awful he walked out of the cinema.
David Stratton's new book Australia At The Movies is available to purchase here.
Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Editor-In-Chief Sarrah Le Marquand.
Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellarmag or pick up a copy inside The Sunday Telegraph (NSW), Sunday Herald Sun (VIC), The Sunday Mail (QLD) and Sunday Mail (SA)
Something To Talk About
At the movies with David Stratton
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41:07
'[We] invite everyone to celebrate David's remarkable life and legacy by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie of all time — Singin' In the Rain.'
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is among those who have paid tribute to Stratton.
'With dry humour and sharp insight, David Stratton shared his love of film with our country,' he wrote on Twitter.
'All of us who tuned in to 'At the Movies' respected him for his deep knowledge and for the gentle and generous way he passed it on. May he rest in peace.'
Stratton, along with Pomeranz, stepped down from At the Movies in 2014, an end of an era for the beloved duo after nearly three decades.
The film critic retired in 2023 due to his declining health. Picture: Supplied.
He retired from work in December 2023 after suffering health problems, having spent a month in hospital with a spinal fracture.
'It's been a very good innings,'' he told The Australian at the time.
The beloved media personality was celebrated for his insightful critiques and deep understanding of film history, as well as his contribution to promoting Australian cinema both nationally and internationally.
He was a well respected figure within the industry, serving as a jury member at various international film festivals throughout his career.
The pair's on-screen chemistry became a huge part of their success. Picture: Supplied.
Stratton's career in Australia began in 1963 when he first became involved in the local film industry. In 1966 he became the director of the Sydney Film Festival, and the role became the catalyst for his decision to remain Down Under for the rest of his life.
Later on in his career he shared that his decision to ditch England for Australia left him with feelings of 'guilty' as it meant he was abandoning his family's tradition of working at their grocery store which had been open since the 1820s.
Bizarrely, in 2014, Stratton hit headlines when it was revealed that he had been under surveillance by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation while he was director of the Sydney film festival, due to a visit he made to the USSR in the late 1960s.
He received numerous awards for his contributions to film criticism and the film industry, including the Order of Australia for his services to the film industry as a critic and reviewer.
Originally published as Legendary Australian film critic David Stratton dead at 85