Iconic film critic David Stratton has died peacefully, aged 85, in a hospital near his Blue Mountains home west of Sydney, his family announced on Thursday.

Stratton’s career as a film critic, writer, and educator in Australia spanned more than half a century until his retirement in December 2023, following a series of health problems.

He was best known for appearing on television screens alongside co-host Margaret Pomeranz for almost three decades on various movie review shows.

‘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, grandfather, 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.’

They also had a special request for film buffs.

David Stratton (pictured with long-time sidekick Margaret Pomeranz) has died aged 85

David Stratton’s career as a film critic, writer, and educator in Australia spanned more than half a century. He is pictured in 2015

‘[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,’ the family added.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led the outpouring of tributes.

‘With dry humour and sharp insight, David Stratton shared his love of film with our country,’ he tweeted.

‘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.’

Born in Wiltshire, England, Stratton arrived in Australia in 1963 under the ‘Ten Pound Pom’ migration scheme and quickly became involved with the local film industry.

He directed the Sydney Film Festival for 17 years until 1983.

It was revealed decades later that Stratton was under surveillance from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation at the time due to the festival screening films from the Soviet Union and his visit to the communist state in the late 1960s.

In 1980, Stratton joined SBS as a film consultant, where he later starred on-screen co-hosting the long-running The Movie Show alongside Margaret Pomeranz until 2004.

David Stratton and Margaret Pomeranz were household names, first on SBS and later the ABC

The pair made the switch to the ABC, where they co-hosted At the Movies with Margaret and David until 2014 following disagreements with management at the national broadcaster.

Only six films were given the highest ratings during their ten-year run at the ABC, including Brokeback Mountain, No Country For Old Men, Good Night, And Good Luck, Samson and Delilah, A Separation, and Amour.

He received numerous awards for his contributions to Australian society and the film industry, including the Order of Australia and the Centenary Medal.

Stratton’s final film review was published in The Australian in early 2024.

‘You obviously can’t keep going for ever. I feel relaxed about it,’ he told the Guardian at the time.

‘I’ve done the best I could over a number of years and I feel a sense of satisfaction from that.

‘I’ve already been advising some of the film-makers and distributors that I won’t be reviewing any more and I’m getting lovely messages back.’

David Stratton (pictured on the red carpet at the 2017 Venice Film Festival) died peacefully in hospital near his Blue Mountains home

Months later, Stratton admitted that he regretted giving Aussie film classic The Castle a low one-and-a-half stars.

‘It was the first film made by a team that worked in television, and it looked to me like a telemovie, whereas I’m very much into the visual side of cinema,’ he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘I also found the humour a little bit patronising.’

‘But I obviously completely misunderstood it, as I have watched it a few times since, and I now think it’s very funny.’

Plans for a public memorial service are underway.