Renowned Film Critic and Presenter David Stratton Passes Away at 85

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David Stratton has passed away at 85.

The noted English-Australian film critic, writer, presenter, and educator’s passing was announced by his family on Thursday afternoon.

According to a statement from his family shared by the ABC, Stratton died peacefully at a hospital close to his home in the Blue Mountains, NSW.

They commended Stratton’s “passion for film, dedication to Australian cinema, and generous spirit,” noting he was cherished as a husband, father, grand and great-grandfather and esteemed friend.”

Stratton began his career with SBS in 1980, serving as a film consultant and regularly introducing the SBS Cinema Classics and Movie of the Week segments.

Throughout his extensive media career, Stratton co-hosted film review programs with his longtime partner, Margaret Pomeranz, spanning 28 years.

Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton standing near each other, each holding a glass.

David Stratton hosted film review shows with Margaret Pomeranz for many years. Source: AAP / Nikki Short

He and Pomeranz co-hosted The Movie Show on SBS from 1986 to 2004, and At the Movies with Margaret and David on ABC from 2004 to 2014.

Stratton was born in the UK in 1939, arriving in Australia in 1963 as part of the ‘ten pound pom’ migration scheme.

From 1966 until 1983, he was the director of the Sydney Film Festival, and served as a jury member for many prestigious international festivals throughout his career.

In addition to television, Stratton contributed film reviews to the Weekend Australian for over 30 years and taught film history at the University of Sydney’s Centre for Continuing Education.

He retired in 2023 because of ill health, after a celebrated career that spanned 57 years.

Albanese pays tribute

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has paid tribute to Stratton.

“With dry humour and sharp insight, David Stratton shared his love of film with our country,” he said in a post on X.

“All of us who watched ‘At the Movies’ appreciated him for his profound knowledge and the kind and generous manner in which he shared it. May he rest in peace.”

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.

Details of a public memorial service are expected to be announced soon.

— Additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press.