David Stratton, Iconic Australian Film Critic, Dies at 85

David Stratton Dies: If you’ve ever loved Australian cinema, chances are you’ve felt David Stratton’s influence — even if you didn’t realize it. Today, the industry is in shock. David Stratton, the man whose voice, insight, and passion shaped how millions saw movies, has died at the age of 85.

This isn’t just the loss of a critic. It’s like the country has lost one of its storytellers — the person who held a mirror to our screens and told us, with honesty and love, what we were really watching.

Who Was David Stratton?

David Stratton wasn’t just “a film critic.” He was an institution. Born in England in 1939, Stratton moved to Australia and became the director of the Sydney Film Festival from 1966 to 1983. That alone could have been a full career. But he didn’t stop there.

Alongside Margaret Pomeranz, he became the face of SBS’s The Movie Show and later ABC TV’s At the Movies. For decades, Australians tuned in every week to see his honest, sometimes blunt, reviews — and he never sugar-coated a bad film.

Even Hollywood noticed. Stratton served on juries at Cannes and Venice, interviewed the biggest stars in the world, and somehow kept the same dry wit and deep respect for the art.

His Influence on Australian Cinema

If you talk to any Australian filmmaker — from Baz Luhrmann to Gillian Armstrong — you’ll hear the same thing: David cared. He didn’t just “cover” Australian cinema. He defended it.

• He championed local talent when the global market ignored it.
• He introduced audiences to films they otherwise might have missed.
• His reviews could lift a small indie movie into the national conversation.

For many young filmmakers, getting a positive review from Stratton wasn’t just validation. It was a career boost.

David Stratton's Cause of Death

While the exact cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, reports confirm he passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, further details have not been shared.

Why His Loss Feels So Personal

You know how some public figures feel like part of your own life even if you never met them? That’s David Stratton for so many Australians.

People grew up watching him. They made weekend film choices based on his reviews. He was in the living rooms of millions, every week, for decades. His passing isn’t just industry news — it’s a personal loss for viewers who saw him as a trusted friend in cinema.

David Stratton’s Awards and Legacy

• Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to film
• Recipient of the Australian Film Institute’s Raymond Longford Award
• Served as a jury member at Cannes, Venice, and Berlin film festivals
• Author of several books on film, including The Last New Wave and 101 Marvellous Movies You May Have Missed
• His career was a masterclass in how to combine deep knowledge with genuine love for the art form.