Australia has lost one of its most cherished cultural figures with the death of legendary film critic David Stratton, who passed away peacefully in a hospital near his Blue Mountains home on Wednesday, aged 85. The English-born critic, whose 57-year career shaped how Australians viewed cinema, died surrounded by family after retiring in 2023 due to ill health.
“David’s passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives,” his family said in a statement. “He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great-grandfather, and admired friend.”
The Margaret and David Era That Defined Australian Film Criticism
For nearly three decades, Stratton formed television’s most beloved film review partnership alongside Margaret Pomeranz. Their collaboration began in 1986 when Stratton co-hosted the long-running SBS TV program The Movie Show with Margaret Pomeranz, continuing until 2004 when they moved to the ABC.
From 1 July 2004, they co-hosted the ABC film show, At the Movies with Margaret and David. The duo, affectionately known as “Margaret and David” to millions of viewers, retired in 2014 after 28 years of bringing film criticism into Australian lounge rooms.
Their chemistry was undeniable, though their tastes occasionally differed. Analysis of their reviews showed that Stratton was generally a slightly harsher critic than Pomeranz, with both critics only awarding five stars together to five films: Evil Angels (1988), Return Home (1990), The Piano (1993), The Thin Red Line (1999) and Lantana (2001).
A Champion of Australian Cinema and International Film
Stratton’s influence extended far beyond television screens. He directed the Sydney Film Festival from 1966 until 1983, a position he secured after fighting film censorship. During his tenure, he championed emerging Australian filmmakers during the country’s cinema revival.
“My tenure as director coincided with the Australian film revival, so I was able to show the first films of Peter Weir, Gillian Armstrong, Fred Schepisi, Phillip Noyce and all those people, becoming friends with them in the process,” Stratton told The Guardian in late 2023.
His writing career was equally distinguished. Stratton wrote film reviews for The Weekend Australian for 33 years, filing his final review on 29 December 2023 for Woody Allen’s “Coup de Chance.” He began that review with a defence of reviewing an Allen movie: “I am a firm believer that a work of art should be seen for what it is, regardless of the creator’s morals“- demonstrating his commitment to film criticism until the end.
From Ten-Pound Pom to Cultural Icon
Born in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England, in 1939, Stratton arrived in Australia in 1963 under the “ten pound” migration scheme. His passion for cinema began early – he saw his first foreign film at Bath in 1955, the Italian romantic comedy Bread, Love and Dreams, followed by Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai in Birmingham. At age 19, he founded the Melksham and District Film Society.
Once in Australia, he worked for SBS from 1980, acting as their film consultant and introducing the SBS Cinema Classics on Sunday evenings and Movie of the Week. He also lectured in film history at the University of Sydney’s Centre for Continuing Education, from around 1988 until December 2023, covering approximately 840 films and showing 7,506 film clips.
His expertise earned international recognition. Regarded as an expert on international cinema, particularly French cinema, he was president of FIPRESCI (International Film Critics) Juries in Cannes (twice) and Venice. He also served as a jury member at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1982.
Tributes Pour In for a Gentle Giant of Film
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Stratton, saying: “With dry humour and sharp insight, David Stratton shared his love of film with our country. 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“.
The film industry has recognised Stratton’s contributions throughout his career. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2015 for his “significant service to the film industry”, as well as his efforts as an ambassador for Australian cinema.
Stratton’s favourite movie was the 1952 American musical Singin’ in the Rain: “I grew up on musicals and this is the best musical ever made“, he once said. His top ten films, from the 2012 Sight & Sound critics’ poll, included classics like Citizen Kane, The Searchers, and The Conversation.
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A Legacy That Lives On
Stratton’s family issued a special request to moviegoers, asking that they celebrate his “remarkable life and legacy” by watching their favourite movie, or Stratton’s favourite movie, Singin’ in the Rain. “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,” his family said.
The documentary “David Stratton: A Cinematic Life,” released in 2017, captured his remarkable journey and passion for film. Details of a public memorial service are expected to be announced soon.
David Stratton: A Cinematic Life
Stratton’s death marks the end of an era for Australian film criticism and cultural commentary. His dedication to educating audiences about the art of cinema, combined with his genuine enthusiasm and accessible approach, made him beloved by generations of Australian film lovers. The man who spent decades asking audiences to give films a chance has left behind a legacy that will continue influencing how Australia engages with cinema for years to come.
