Australian presenter and TV star David Stratton dies aged 85

Australian film critic and former SBS presenter, David Stratton, has died at the age of 85.

His family announced his death on Thursday, saying he died peacefully in a hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains.

They added in a statement that he would be remembered by his family for his ‘generous spirit’ which impacted many people across Australia.

‘David’s passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives,” his family said in a statement to ABC.

‘He was adored as a husband, father, grand and 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.’

The film critic was best known for his work writing film reviews for The Weekend Australian for 33 years, and for presenting film review shows on television such as At the Movies, with Margaret Pomeranz, for 28 years.

The star was born in Melksham, England, in 1939 and moved to Australia in 1963 under the ‘ten pound’ migration scheme.

He soon moved into the film industry and by 1966, was directing the Sydney Film Festival, which he did until 1983.

He then worked for SBS from 1980, hosting a variety of film-based TV shows and left in 2004. He wrote for US film industry magazine Variety from 1984. From 1988 until 2023, lectured in film history at the University of Sydney’s Centre for Continuing Education.

Celebrities have been paying tribute to the late star on social media after learning about his death.

‘Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese said 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.’

Actress Rachel Griffiths told the ABC that Stratton was a ‘giant in his field — the biggest champion of Australian stories’.

‘He was gentle in manner and had a curiosity that I’ve found rare in my career,’ she said. ‘Most notably, he was humble — never putting himself as the overlord of the creative — but as a servant to creativity itself.

‘He had an ear for truth and a love for the human, and knew almost instantly when a new talent had announced itself.’

Dendy Cinema also paid tribute on X: ‘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.’

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