20174.6 / 101h 37mDocumentary

David Stratton: A Cinematic Life

"For Most People, Movies are Entertainment. For One Man, They are a Way of Life."

A compelling personal journey with David Stratton, as he relates the fascinating development of our cinema history. David guides us from his boyhood cinema experience of Australia in England, where he saw the first images of this strange and exotic landscape via the medium of film, to his migration to Australia as a ‘ten pound pom’ in 1963 and onto his present day reflections on the iconic themes that run through our cinematic legacy. All of this reflects a passionate engagement in a uniquely Australian medium. Parallel and at the heart of the series is the story of an industry whose growing pains David has witnessed over a lifetime. Alongside David, the protagonists of this history are the giants of Australian cinema – both behind the camera and in front of it.

Quick Stats
4.6
TMDB Rating
7
Votes
1h 37m
Runtime
Budget
Box Office
Return
Key Crew
DirectorSally Aitken
WriterSally Aitken
CinematographyKevin Scott
ComposerCaitlin Yeo
EditorAdrian Rostirolla
Produced by
Stranger Than Fiction FilmsScreen NSWScreen AustraliaAustralian Broadcasting Corporation

Where to Watch

Streaming
DocPlay
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DocPlay Amazon Channel
Free
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Rent
Apple TV Store
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Buy
Apple TV Store

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Critics & Reviews

3 featured
Celeste Marlowe
@celeste_writes
8/10

A patient, formally daring work — the cinematography lingers on empty rooms longer than most audiences will tolerate, but those who stay are rewarded with the most haunting final act of the year.

Written Nov 12, 2024 · read original
Jonas Halberg
@jhalberg
9/10

I walked in expecting another genre exercise and walked out feeling like I'd been eavesdropping on a confession. The lead performance is genuinely singular — a career-defining turn.

Written Nov 8, 2024 · read original
Priya Anand
@priya_a
6/10

A few too many scenes feel borrowed from a better film, but the soundtrack and the production design carry the rest. Solid recommendation for fans of slow-burn European thrillers.

Written Oct 30, 2024 · read original

Cast

David Stratton
David Stratton
Self
D
Dr George Miller
Self
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman
Self
Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe
Self
Anne-Louise Lambert
Anne-Louise Lambert
Self
Margaret Pomeranz
Margaret Pomeranz
Self
Geoffrey Wright
Geoffrey Wright
Self
Michael Caton
Michael Caton
Self
Jacki Weaver
Jacki Weaver
Self
Todd McCarthy
Todd McCarthy
Self
Jack Thompson
Jack Thompson
Self
Sam Neill
Sam Neill
Self
Rachel Griffiths
Rachel Griffiths
Self
Judy Davis
Judy Davis
Self
Bryan Brown
Bryan Brown
Self

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