Margaret and David call cut on At the Movies after 28 years on air

M&D

It has been a dark 48 hours for Australian film fans, as the ABC announced yesterday that legendary film critics Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton would not be returning in 2015 for another season of their film review show At the Movies. The show has been screening on the ABC since 2004, and Margaret and David had previously hosted The Movie Show on SBS for 18 years before that. That adds up to an incredible 28 years of onscreen partnership for the pair, meaning that many of us movie buffs have grown up watching them review films.

Their conversational review style made film critiquing accessible to the average cinema-goer, and the pair have enjoyed a kind of icon status among Australians. What has been so special about Margaret and David’s partnership is the fact that viewers tune in just as much for the banter and occasional disagreement between the two as for the actual reviews themselves.

Margaret and David have released the following statements about their decision to call it quits:

“After 28 years reviewing films on television with Margaret, ten of them at the ABC, I feel it’s time to go. We’ve had a wonderful time, thanks to very supportive and encouraging audiences, throughout that period. And we’ve worked with wonderful teams, both at SBS and at the ABC, people who discovered movies alongside us, helped and assisted us, and in the process became valued friends. We couldn’t have done it without them.

“Most of all, working with Margaret, whose enthusiasm, commitment and passion has been amazing (and only occasionally irritating) has been a joy for over a quarter of a century. But, since I turned 75 last week, I look forward to less pressure and more opportunities to enjoy the movies I love, in the years ahead.” says David.

Margaret adds, “As David says, it’s time to go from the small screen after a great innings, thanks to all our viewers and the fabulous teams we’ve worked with over the years. And thank you to the ABC and SBS. We’ve been lucky to work for two great public broadcasters, and long may they prosper.

“My gratitude goes to David who gave me credibility just by being prepared to sit by me and discuss film when I am just a film enthusiast, not the great walking encyclopedia of film that he is. He’s a grand person, a most generous, decent man, even if a little stubborn at times.

“We’ve seen Australian films continue to mature over nearly three decades on air and I look forward to a continued involvement in this wonderful industry of ours which explores and reflects our culture and our peccadilloes. It’s been such a privilege to have been on the sidelines, witnessing the talent that this country produces in all areas of film production.

“I’m very sad to have to call an end to our show, it started out as a very fragile thing and only survived because there are enough lovers of film in this country to support a specific program about cinema. Thank you all.”

It’s sad to think that the onscreen pairing of Margaret and David won’t be seen anymore after this year, but we should all be genuinely thankful for the years of dedicated work the two have done to help film discussion and critique reach a wider audience over the past three decades. They truly are royalty to those of us who love to discuss films, and their legacy as the greatest Australian film critics of all time will not fade any time soon. Surely we can all agree on a resounding five-star rating for Margaret and David, right?

At the Movies will continue to screen on Tuesday nights at 9.30pm on ABC until the end of the year. Recent episodes are also available on ABC iview. Head to the At the Movies website to check out the catalogue of Margaret and David’s reviews.

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