By Eddie 14/08/2025
Today, Thursday August 14th 2025 local time, Australian cinema/media lost a legend, the one and only David Stratton.
A man synonymous with the movie scene in Australia, having started his professional movie review career all the way back in 1984 writing for Variety, Stratton was a die-hard film fan that was passionate about the medium up until the day he passed away.
A staple of many local film fans like myself and this website’s former co-founder Jordan’s formative years, Stratton become a legend of the local film industry thanks to his hit show At the Movies that he co-hosted with his screen partner and long-term friend Margaret Pomeranz with the show airing successfully from 2004 to 2014, leaving a gap in the marketplace that has never been properly filled.
A man whose knowledge of film and way with words could be compared with legendary US film critic Roger Ebert, Stratton was stoic in his ways but resolute in his passion and love for cinema and all that went into it and this was overtly evident in his time on screen, a fantastic decade that included his famous Cannes Film Festival specials for At the Movies which showcased Stratton’s eccentricities, flaws and all.
Becoming quieter over the last decade with the demise of his regular weekly TV slot but remaining active with his written reviews and championing of film in any way he could deliver, Stratton can duly be considered an icon of Australian media and a legend of film and I for one will always be thankful of his work that helped inspire so many to be proud about their love of film and even take the plunge on joining the industry.
Gone but never to be forgotten, today we can but pause and pay respect to a unique and memorable human being who spent a lifetime involved in landscape he loved and adored.
For some of Stratton’s recommendations and memorable reviews see below –
David Stratton’s Top Five Australian films –
David Stratton on a Life Reviewing Films –
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/nov/04/david-stratton-australia-at-the-movies-book-interview
The Legacy of At the Movies –
David Stratton’s Top 10 Lost Movie Gems –
Margaret and David’s Memorable At The Movies Moments –
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/video/2014/sep/17/margaret-david-at-the-movies-highlights-video
Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys) 
I didn’t know about this austalian voice of cinema, but it’s always sad to see passionate soul going by. And your tribute is very moving Eddie.
I second this.
His knowledge of Australian cinema was second to none and his love for the medium was so evident in all his work. We as local film fans can be very thankful for his service.
E
I just watched the last link. Their banter is great! 😄
Mate I recommend watching their review of Dancer in the Dark, it’s legendary on these shores.
E
I found it. Polar opposites. 😁
So good mate, they had some absolute all time polar opposite reactions. David was very old school in his film love.
E
I remember settling down to watch David and Margaret every week. Their Dancer in the Dark review is almost as memorable as the movie itself (for the record, I’m Team David on this one). RIP.
I was a weekly watcher too, Wednesday night’s were that little bit better with them on our screens. Love that you too have fond memories of Dancer in the Dark, David and Margaret use to have some fantastic disagreements.
E