Australia is mourning the loss of one of its most respected cultural voices after the death of David Stratton — the sharp-eyed, warm-hearted film critic, writer, and educator who spent decades sharing his passion for cinema with the nation.
Stratton, 85, died peacefully in hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains, his family announced on Thursday afternoon. Tributes have since poured in from across the country, honouring a man whose wit, insight, and unwavering dedication to storytelling shaped the way Australians watched and appreciated films.
“David’s passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives,” his family said in a statement. “He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great-grandfather, and admired friend.”
From his long-running on-screen partnership with Margaret Pomeranz on The Movie Show and At the Movies, to his fierce advocacy against censorship and his championing of Australian stories, Stratton became as much a part of the nation’s film history as the works he reviewed.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called him “a giant of the arts,” praising the “gentle and generous way” he shared his deep knowledge. Actress Rachel Griffiths remembered him as “the biggest champion of Australian stories,” while ABC managing director Hugh Marks hailed his “extraordinary career” and “incredible insight.”
Born in England in 1939, Stratton arrived in Australia in 1963 as a “ten-pound Pom” and quickly embedded himself in the nation’s cultural fabric. He directed the Sydney Film Festival for nearly two decades, brought global cinema into Australian living rooms, and was never afraid to deliver an honest — sometimes stinging — review.
In June this year, he and Pomeranz were honoured with a star on the Australian Film Walk of Fame — a fitting tribute to two people who made film criticism an art form in itself.
Stratton’s family has asked the public to celebrate his life by watching their favourite film — or his: Singin’ in the Rain.
He is survived by his wife, Susie Craig, and their two children. Details of a public memorial will be announced soon.