In Memory of Terence Stamp (1938-2025)

Terence Stamp (1938-2025)

British actor Terence Stamp has died at the age of 87. He was best known for his roles as General Zod in the first two "Superman" films and Bernadette in "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert."

Born on 22 July 1938 in Stepney, East London, to a working-class family, Stamp initially attended a grammar school before embarking on a career in advertising. After winning a scholarship to study at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, he secured his first film role in "Billy Budd" in 1962. He later received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor and a Golden Globe for Most Promising Male Newcomer for the movie. Stamp subsequently starred in "The Collector," "Modesty Blaise," and "Far From the Madding Crowd," as he emerged as one of the most prominent icons of 1960s London. He had romantic relationships with supermodel Jean Shrimpton and actresses Brigitte Bardot and Julie Christie, the latter of whom was his co-star in "Far From the Madding Crowd."

In 1978, after being out of work for eight years, Terence Stamp jumped at the opportunity to play the malevolent Kryptonian General Zod in Richard Donner's "Superman" and its sequel, "Superman II." Stamp's role as Zod was not his only appearance in a DC Comics production, as decades later, he lent his voice to Jor-El in the 2000s TV series "Smallville."

Stamp appeared in several mainstream films during the 1980s, including "Wall Street," "Young Guns," "Legal Eagles," and "Alien Nation." He shared the screen with John Hurt and Tim Roth (making his debut) in director Stephen Frears' 1984 crime film, "The Hit."

In 1994, he impressed critics and audiences alike with his groundbreaking portrayal of trans woman and drag queen Bernadette Bassenger opposite Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce in the Australian road comedy "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert," which earned him Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations. In 1999, he played Supreme Chancellor Valorum in "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace," which he later described as a "dull experience." That same year, he was also one of the actors in the comedy "Bowfinger" opposite Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy. He also starred in Steven Soderbergh's crime thriller "The Limey," playing an English criminal who comes to the US to uncover the truth behind his daughter's death. For this role, he earned more recognition.

After appearing in "The Phantom Menace" and "The Limey," Stamp made further film appearances in "Red Planet," "The Haunted Mansion," and "Elektra," in which he played the blind sensei Sticks alongside Jennifer Garner as the eponymous Marvel Comics assassin.

In recent years, he appeared in films such as "Wanted," "Get Smart," "Yes Man," "Valkyrie," "Big Eyes," "The Adjustment Bureau," and "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children." His last film role was in the 2021 psychological thriller "Last Night in Soho," directed by Edgar Wright. In addition to appearing on television and stage, Stamp also lent his voice to video games, such as "Halo 3" and "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion."

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In Memory of David Stratton (1939-2025)

 

David Stratton (1939-2025)

Dear moviegoers and fellow critics, it is with a heavy heart that I must convey the unfortunate news that has led us to this point. David Stratton, 85, a veteran film critic, writer, and lecturer known for his decades-long collaboration with Margaret Pomeranz on Australian television, has passed away. I never had the chance to meet him in person, but I wish I had because I would have loved to chat with him about his style of film critique.

David Stratton was born in England in 1939. He immigrated to Australia in 1963 as part of an initiative known as the 'Ten Pound Poms' migration scheme. His passion for film began in his youth and blossomed into a career that garnered acclaim from the industry's most renowned figures.

Between 1984 and 2004, he appeared alongside Margaret Pomeranz on SBS's "The Movie Show," using a format popularised by US film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert. Together, the duo became a fixture of Australian culture, regularly appearing on screen to offer their opinions even though many viewers had no intention of watching the films in question. In particular, the disagreements between Strattom and Pomeranz proved memorable – to the extent that viewers identified as either a "David person" or a "Margaret person."

In 2004, Stratton and Pomeranz began hosting "At the Movies" on ABC, a role they held for a decade before stepping down in 2014.

In 2015, Stratton earned the title Member of the Order of Australia. However, among his many achievements, arguably the one he was most proud of was his lifelong battle against movie censorship, which he fought long after ceasing to appear on the Australian screen.

After 30 years of hosting TV programmes, 35 years teaching world cinema at the University of Sydney, and 33 years writing reviews for The Weekend Australian, Stratton announced his retirement in 2023 due to poor health.

Here is a clip of his infamous review of "The Castle."

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