The n Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has paid tribute to world-famous film lover David Stratton.
Known to many of his intimates as ‘Stratts’, the English-born critic died peacefully, aged 85, in a hospital near his Blue Mountains home west of Sydney on Thursday.
Renowned and admired for his encyclopaedic knowledge on all things cinema, Stratton was a teacher, film critic, author and reluctant TV personality.
He rose to fame alongside co-host Margaret Pomeranz.
Together for almost three decades, they steered an innovative movie review program – first with The Movie Show on SBS and later At The Movies on the ABC.
Mr. Albanese was one of millions who were touched by the quietly spoken and famously reserved critic.
The n Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has paid tribute to world-famous film lover David Stratton (pictured). Known to many of his intimates as ‘Stratts’, the English-born critic died peacefully, aged 85
Mr. Albanese (pictured) was one of millions who were touched by the quietly spoken and famously reserved critic
‘With dry humour and sharp insight, David Stratton shared his love of film with our country,’ the PM said in a statement on Thursday.
‘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.’
Faced with a series of health issues, Stratton retired in 2023 after a life dedicated to film.
‘David’s passion for film, commitment to n cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives,’ his family said.
‘He was adored as a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, 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.’
They also had a special request for film buffs.
‘[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 added.
Born in Wiltshire, England, Stratton arrived in in 1963 under the ‘Ten Pound Pom’ migration scheme and quickly became involved with the local film industry.
In 1980, Stratton joined SBS as a film consultant, where he later starred on-screen co-hosting the long-running The Movie Show alongside Margaret Pomeranz (left) until 2004
‘With dry humour and sharp insight, David Stratton shared his love of film with our country,’ the PM said in a statement on Thursday
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He became director of the Sydney Film Festival (SFF) in 1966. Under his leadership he re-shaped the organisation.
While head of the SFF Stratton battled the appalling censorship of the time – which had led to massive cuts in films. He left the SFF in 1983, leaving the event financially secure and respected worldwide.
It was revealed decades later that Stratton was under surveillance from the n Security Intelligence Organisation at the time due to the festival screening films from the Soviet Union and his visit to the communist state in the late 1960s.
In 1980, Stratton joined SBS as a film consultant, where he later starred on-screen co-hosting the long-running The Movie Show alongside Margaret Pomeranz until 2004.
He later said that his role at SBS was his ‘proudest’ moment. Stratton curated and hosted hundreds of screenings from some of the world’s greatest filmmakers on SBS Cinema Classics on Sunday evenings and the Movie of the Week.
Stratton and Pomeranz hosted At the Movies at the ABC for ten years until their retirement in 2014.
He received numerous awards for his contributions to n society and the film industry, including the Order of and the Centenary Medal.
Stratton’s final film review was published in The n in early 2024.
Plans for a public memorial service are underway.