In Memory of Terence Stamp (1938-2025)

Terence Stamp (1938-2025)

Renowned British actor Terence Stamp dies at 87. He was best known for playing 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 attended a grammar school before starting 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 then starred in "The Collector," "Modesty Blaise," and "Far From the Madding Crowd," becoming one of the most prominent icons of 1960s London. He had romantic relationships with supermodel Jean Shrimpton and actresses Brigitte Bardot and Julie Christie, his co-star in "Far From the Madding Crowd."

In 1978, after eight years out of work, Terence Stamp jumped at the chance to play the malevolent Kryptonian General Zod in Richard Donner's "Superman" and its sequel, "Superman II." Stamp's portrayal of Zod was not his only appearance in a DC Comics production. 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 (in 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 also appeared in the comedy "Bowfinger" alongside 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 appeared in "Red Planet," "The Haunted Mansion," and "Elektra," where 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 television and stage roles, Stamp also lent his voice to video games, including "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, I must share the unfortunate news that brought us to this point with a heavy heart. 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 film-critique style.

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.

From 1984 to 2004, he appeared alongside Margaret Pomeranz on SBS's "The Movie Show," 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 Stratton and Pomeranz proved memorable, to the point 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 was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia. However, among his many achievements, he was arguably proudest of his lifelong battle against movie censorship, which he fought long after he stopped appearing on Australian screens.

After 30 years 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 because of poor health.

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

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