David Stratton Obituary: Illness, Death and Legacy

For decades, Saturday nights meant settling in to hear two voices debate the merits of the latest releases. One of those voices, David Stratton, has fallen silent. The English-Australian film critic, who co-hosted At the Movies with Margaret Pomeranz, died on 14 August 2025 at the age of 85 in a hospital near his Blue Mountains home.

Full name: David James Stratton · Born: 10 September 1939 · Died: 14 August 2025 · Occupation: Film critic, historian, journalist, author · Known for: Co-host of At the Movies

Five key biographical points, one pattern: Stratton’s life was bookended by two countries and unified by a relentless passion for cinema.

What illness did David Stratton have?

Official cause of death reports

• The exact illness that caused David Stratton’s death has not been publicly disclosed by his family or medical officials. The family statement, reported by ABC News, said he “died peacefully in hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains” without specifying a cause.
• According to Wikipedia, Stratton had been treated for giant cell arteritis, a condition that cost him sight in one eye and limited vision in the other. The steroids used to treat it reportedly weakened his bones, leading to two fractured vertebrae. This information has not been independently confirmed by his family or a medical authority.

The implication: Until an official medical statement or death certificate is released, the exact cause will remain a gap in the public record.

Were Margaret and David friends?

Nature of their professional partnership

• Stratton and Pomeranz co-hosted The Movie Show on SBS from 1986 to 2004, then At the Movies on ABC from 2004 to 2014 – more than two decades of on-screen collaboration. ABC News described them as appearing “on Australian screens … for decades” and noted their chemistry often sparked lively debates.
• FIPRESCI, the international film critics federation, acknowledged Stratton’s global standing: he twice served as president of the FIPRESCI jury at Cannes and once at Venice (FIPRESCI).

Public statements about their bond

• In the wake of his death, Pomeranz told ABC News that she felt “as though one half is missing.” She described him as “my partner in crime, my dearest friend.”
• A Facebook post from ABC Classic (an ABC division) called Stratton “a film critic, writer, and educator” whose presence would be deeply missed.

What this means: Stratton and Pomeranz’s partnership became the defining image of Australian film criticism, proving that critical honesty and personal warmth can coexist.

Has Margaret Pomeranz commented on the death of David Stratton?

Margaret Pomeranz’s public statement

• Pomeranz released a statement shortly after the death announcement on 14 August 2025. ABC News reported her words: “I feel as though one half is missing. He was my partner in crime, my dearest friend.”
• Her statement was widely carried by Australian media, including ABC Classic and other outlets. FIPRESCI also referenced the “deep sorrow” felt by the film community.

Media coverage of her tribute

• Social media posts from ABC Australian Story confirmed his death and directed followers to a profile of his life. The Adelaide Film Festival also planned a tribute screening of Singin’ in the Rain, Stratton’s favourite film, though the exact source of that claim is an industry report rather than an official announcement.

The pattern: The collective response from his co-host and the institutions he served underscores the depth of his impact – not just as a critic, but as a mentor and friend.

Timeline

• 10 September 1939 – Born in England (Wikipedia)
• 1986 – Began co-hosting The Movie Show on SBS with Margaret Pomeranz (ABC News)
• 2004 – Moved the partnership to At the Movies on ABC (ABC News)
• 14 August 2025 – Died at 85 in hospital near his Blue Mountains home (ABC News; FIPRESCI)

The arc: From an English-born cinephile to the defining voice of Australian film criticism, Stratton’s timeline traces a life lived entirely through cinema.

Quotes & tributes

“I feel as though one half is missing. He was my partner in crime, my dearest friend.”

– Margaret Pomeranz, as reported by ABC News

“David Stratton was a giant of Australian and international film criticism. His knowledge and passion were unmatched.”

– FIPRESCI in memoriam statement

For Australian audiences, David Stratton was more than a critic; he was a trusted guide through the world of cinema. His legacy lives on through the films he championed and the partnership that defined an era. As the film community mourns, the concrete consequence for younger critics is clear: emulate his passion, but also his willingness to champion the underdog.

Read also: David Lynch: Cause of Death, LGBTQ Legacy, Irish Roots & Health — a profile of another film industry icon. | Ray Meagher: Age, Family, and 37 Years on Home and Away — a look at a long-running Australian television personality.