The family of David Stratton AM, the veteran film critic and co-host of At the Movies (ABC) and The Movie Show (SBS) with Margaret Pomeranz, has confirmed that he passed away peacefully in hospital.
“[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,” the family wrote in a statement to the ABC.
“David’s passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives,” his family said. “He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great-grandfather and admired friend.”
The family has requested privacy at this time, and details of a public memorial for David will be released soon.
David was born in England in 1939. As his father fought in WWII, David was sent to live with his grandmother in the English countryside. It was there that he developed a love a cinema that he nurtured throughout his life. He even started a film society in his hometown when he was in his teens.
He moved to Australia in 1963, under the “10-pound-Pom” scheme. And just three years later, he was made the Sydney Film Festival director, a role he held until 1983.
In 2014, news came out that David had been under surveillance by ASIO thanks to the festival screening films from countries which weren’t always on the best of terms with Australia, like the former USSR.
David co-hosted the popular The Movie Show alongside Margaret Pomeranz on SBS from 1984 to 2004. Margaret was originally employed to produce The Movie Show, but she knew that David needed a female sidekick, and they didn’t need to look far. Although other candidates were considered, none were a good fit. Then someone suggested Margaret, and she was a natural.
“Out of that came an extraordinary relationship, on air and off,” she said to The Australian Women’s Weekly. “We probably only had two disagreements in all those years – both about films. He has always been so supportive of me. And when Hans (Pomeranz) was in hospital, David was really wonderful. We’ve been loyal to one another, and I would do anything for him – anything.”
After their stint at SBS, they shifted to the ABC to host At the Movies with Margaret and David until 2014.
In June 2025, David and Margaret made history as the first non-actors to be honoured with a star on the Australian Film Walk of Fame, at the Ritz Cinema in Randwick.
In addition to his TV and festival work, David was a longtime film critic and author who wrote for numerous publications and lectured on world cinema at the University of Sydney.
After a career spanning over 30 years, he retired in 2023 for health reasons. In 2024, he spoke with the SMH about suffering from a disease, giant cell arteritis, which was causing him to lose his vision, among other health concerns.
David had an immense impact on the Australian film industry and landscape, and with the news of his passing, many are releasing statements honouring the late critic.
Independent cinema chain, Dendy Cinemas, posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter):
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of legendary Australian film critic and historian David Stratton. David’s infectious passion for film and deep commitment to Australian cinema were unrivalled in this country. Vale David Stratton.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also shared a tribute to David on X:
“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. May he rest in peace.”
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