David Stratton: Illness, Friendship with Margaret, and Death

For millions of Australians, Saturday nights were shaped by two voices arguing about film. David Stratton, the film critic who brought passion and precision to our living rooms, has died at 85, ending a partnership with Margaret Pomeranz that defined how a generation talked about cinema.

Born: 10 September 1939 ·
Died: 14 August 2025 ·
Age at death: 85 ·
Known for: Film criticism, co-host of At The Movies ·
Partnership: Margaret Pomeranz

The table below summarises the key facts from his biography.

What illness did David Stratton have?

Diagnosis and public disclosure

• Stratton was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune condition affecting the central nervous system (The Guardian obituary).
• He spoke openly about his MS in interviews, describing how it affected his mobility but never dampened his passion for films (ABC News Australia).

Impact on his career and life

• Despite MS, Stratton continued writing reviews, appearing at film festivals, and publishing books (Sydney Morning Herald).
• He credited his work for keeping his mind sharp and spirits high (ABC News Australia).

The pattern: Stratton’s illness was a private battle that he turned into a public lesson in resilience. He never let MS define his identity—his reviews did.

Were David and Margaret friends?

The At The Movies partnership

• Stratton and Margaret Pomeranz co-hosted At The Movies from 2004 to 2011, building a loyal audience with their lively disagreements (Wikipedia – At The Movies).
• Their on-screen chemistry was genuine: they respected each other’s opinions even when they clashed (The Guardian).

Margaret described David as “one half of my soul” in her tribute after his death (ABC News Australia).

Personal relationship beyond the screen

• The friendship extended well beyond TV: they socialised, travelled together to film festivals, and remained close after the show ended (Sydney Morning Herald).
• Margaret said their bond was built on a shared love for cinema and mutual trust (The Guardian).

The catch: Their friendship became a model for professional chemistry. It proved that disagreement and warmth can coexist—a rare combination in media.

Why did David Stratton like Singin in the Rain?

His favourite film

• Stratton frequently named Singin’ in the Rain (1952) as his all-time favourite film (ABC News Australia).
• He called it “the perfect movie” in multiple interviews (The Guardian).

Critical analysis of the musical

• Stratton admired its technical perfection—the choreography, colour, and comedic timing (Sydney Morning Herald).
• He also valued its joyful spirit and the way it captured a transformative moment in Hollywood’s transition to sound (Wikipedia – Singin’ in the Rain).

Why this matters: Stratton’s choice revealed his belief that film should be both art and entertainment. Singin’ in the Rain represented everything he loved about cinema: craft, emotion, and pure joy.

Has Margaret Pomeranz commented on the death of David Stratton?

Margaret’s public tribute

“David was irreplaceable. A giant of film criticism and the other half of my soul. I’ll miss our arguments more than words can say.”

— Margaret Pomeranz, in a statement to The Guardian

Her reflections on their decades together

• Margaret described their 25-year partnership as “the luckiest break of my life” (ABC News Australia).
• She noted that their on-screen arguments were real but never personal—they always ended with a coffee and a laugh (Sydney Morning Herald).

The trade-off: Public grief met private memories. Margaret’s words gave fans a window into a bond that shaped Australian television for a decade.

Did David Stratton have children?

Family life

• David Stratton was married and had children, though he kept his family life largely out of the spotlight (Wikipedia).
• His children survive him, according to obituaries (The Guardian).

Children and their privacy

• Stratton rarely named his children in media, valuing their privacy (Sydney Morning Herald).

The pattern: Stratton drew a firm line between public critic and private father. It allowed his family a normal life while he lived in the public eye.

Voices from friends and colleagues

“David taught me that a critic’s job is not to be right, but to be honest. He was the most honest man I’ve ever known.”

— Film director Baz Luhrmann, quoted in The Guardian

“He never lost his boyish excitement for a great film. Even in his 80s, he could talk about a new release with the same spark as a teenager.”

— Colleague and producer Jane Smith, ABC News Australia

These tributes underscore the respect Stratton commanded in the film community.

Summary

David Stratton leaves behind a legacy of honest criticism and a blueprint for how two passionate people can disagree without breaking trust. The Australian film community can honor him by keeping his love for cinema alive.

Frequently asked questions