David Stratton, the acclaimed film critic, writer, and educator who became a household name in Australia through nearly three decades of co-hosting film review programs alongside Margaret Pomeranz, has died at the age of 85.
Renowned for his passion for international cinema, Stratton played a pivotal role in introducing Australian audiences to the richness of Greek film. He was a devoted admirer (some would say obsessive fan) of the late Theodoros Angelopoulos, ensuring the acclaimed director’s work reached Australian screens.
Through SBS‘s The Movie Show and later ABC‘s At the Movies, the Stratton–Pomeranz partnership featured hundreds of foreign films, including many contemporary Greek productions.
His connection to the Greek Australian community was enduring. He attended the opening of Melbourne’s Greek Film Festival almost every year, frequently staying to watch and review films across the program. For many in the community, his presence at the festival became a cherished tradition.
A life in cinema
Stratton’s family announced on Thursday afternoon that he passed away peacefully in a hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales.
“David’s passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, dedication to non-English language film, and generous spirit touched countless lives,” his family said. “He was adored as a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and admired friend. We extend heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues and the public, both recently and throughout his life.”
The family has requested privacy following his death, but asked the public to celebrate his legacy by watching their favourite film, or his own all-time favourite, Singin’ in the Rain. Details of a public memorial will be announced at a later date.
From England to Australia’s film screens
Born in England in 1939, Stratton discovered his love for cinema as a young child, attending screenings with his grandmother while his father served in WWII. After moving to Australia in 1963 as a “ten-pound Pom”, he quickly became a central figure in the nation’s film culture.
In 1966, he was appointed director of the Sydney Film Festival, a position he held until 1983. His bold programming, which included films from the USSR and other politically sensitive sources, later emerged as the reason he was monitored by ASIO.
From 1984 to 2004, Stratton and Pomeranz co-hosted The Movie Show on SBS before moving to the ABC in 2004 to front At the Movies, where they remained until 2014.