Tribute to David Stratton (1939–2025)
David Stratton passed away on 14 August 2025 at age 85, peacefully in a hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales.
He was widely celebrated for co-hosting The Movie Show and At the Movies (with Margaret Pomeranz) for a combined 28 years, and for writing film reviews for The Weekend Australian for over 30 years.
A Life of Film and Influence
Born in 1939 in Wiltshire, England, Stratton emigrated to Australia in 1963 under the “ten-pound Pom” migration initiative.
He served as director of the Sydney Film Festival from 1966 to 1983, playing a key role in the emergence of the Australian New Wave cinema movement.
An influential educator, Stratton lectured in film history at the University of Sydney’s Centre for Continuing Education for 35 years, retiring in 2023.
Legacy and Recognition
A vocal advocate against censorship, he helped broaden Australians’ exposure to international and local films. His work earned him numerous honors, including the Order of Australia, France’s Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres, and many
In 2025, David Stratton and Margaret Pomeranz were the first non-actors inducted into the Australian Film Walk of Fame—a testament to their impact on cinema culture.
His final book, Australia at the Movies (2024), compiled about 650 reviews spanning every Australian feature film release from 1990 to 2020.
Tributes and Final Wishes
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese lauded Stratton’s “dry humour and sharp insight,” noting that Australians respected his deep knowledge and the gentle way he conveyed it.
Colleagues and industry figures—from Margaret Pomeranz to directors like Bruce Beresford, Gillian Armstrong, and actors Mia Wasikowska and Joel Edgerton—paid heartfelt tributes to Stratton’s warm, insightful presence and unwavering
His family encouraged the public to honor his memory by watching a favorite film—or his own beloved choice, “Singin’ in the Rain.”
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