Five Star Legacy: Tributes Pour In After Passing of Legendary Film Critic David Stratton

David Stratton AM, one of Australia’s most influential and beloved champions of cinema, has died at the age of 85. His family announced his death on Thursday August 14, 2025, saying he passed away peacefully in hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains.

“David’s passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives,” his family said.

“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.”

A ten-pound Pom who migrated to Australia in 1963, Stratton went on to direct the Sydney Film Festival from 1966 to 1983, co-host the much-loved The Movie Show (SBS) and At the Movies (ABC) alongside Margaret Pomeranz, and review films for The Weekend Australian for over thirty years.

In 2015, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his “significant service to the film industry as a critic and reviewer, promoter of Australian cinema, and as an advocate for freedom of expression”.

His influence on Australian film culture was indescribably vast, his voice instantly recognisable, and his taste famously uncompromising.

Tributes roll in to honour David Stratton and his legacy on Aussie film

Sydney Film Festival released a statement celebrating the incredible life and legacy of their former director.

“Today Sydney Film Festival celebrates the incredible life and legacy of David Stratton AM, as we honour his passing announced today by his family.

“Sydney Film Festival, and by extension the very culture of cinema in Australia, would not exist as it does today without the remarkable passion and devotion of David Stratton who was the Festival Director from 1966 until 1983.

“His achievements are too innumerable to list in totality, and would include his successful fight against censorship of films in Australia, the establishment of the Travelling Film Festival (which returns to his hometown of the Blue Mountains next weekend), support for emerging filmmakers from Australia and around the world, and fostering of a brave and adventurous cinema culture in Australian audiences.”

Screen Australia also paid tribute:

“Vale David Stratton. It’s with great sadness we acknowledge the passing of film critic, writer and advocate David Stratton. A champion of Australian voices and stories on screen, his passion for cinema and support for the local screen industry will be long felt and never forgotten.”

“A life worthy of 5 stars. Rest in peace David Stratton,” wrote Madman Films on Facebook.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remembered Stratton’s warmth and wit.

“With dry humour and sharp insight, David Stratton shared his love of film with our country,” Albanese wrote on X. “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.”

City Hub film reviewer Josh Kerwick echoed these sentiments, speaking on the enormous impact Stratton had on him, as he did for all film lovers in Australia.

“Anyone that reviews films in Australia owes a great deal to the incomparable David Stratton,” Kerwick told City Hub.

“Not only was he always a wonderfully thoughtful critic, Stratton’s work alongside Margaret Pomeranz inarguably changed the way we discuss movies in this country for the better. Rest in peace David, and thank you for all the years of quality reviews and curation that you gave us.”

Australians pay tribute to the iconic film critic

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. pic.twitter.com/Rsnv9RAvdJ

— Dendy Cinemas (@DendyCinemas) August 14, 2025

We’re all better for having known David Stratton.

He was one of my grandmother’s closest friends and I had the privilege of growing up around him.

When I think of David, I think of this quote he gave when I interviewed him for a university assignment. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/Q60KBRSwgi

— Savannah Meacham (@savannahmeacham) August 14, 2025

RIP David Stratton. A personal hero of mine, and the sort of person I aspire to be. pic.twitter.com/xOpfG5N0Pw

— Patrick Marlborough/Bang Bang Bart (new account) (@cormac_mccafe69) August 14, 2025

Family suggests watching Singin’ in the Rain to honour David Stratton’s life and legacy

David Stratton’s passing is both a loss and an invitation: a call to head to the cinema or press play at home, and to rediscover the joy of film.

Stratton’s family suggested to honour David, watching Singin’ in the Rain may be the most fitting tribute:

“[We] invite everyone to celebrate David’s remarkable life and legacy by watching their favourite movie, or David’s favourite movie of all time — Singin’ in the Rain.”

In Sydney Film Festival’s statement, they said details of a public memorial service “will be announced in the near future.”