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The Dish

Play trailer Poster for The Dish PG-13,  2001,  1h 40m,  Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 97% 94 Reviews Tomatometer 81% 5,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
97% Tomatometer 94 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
The true story of a group of eccentric scientists who are responsible for manning a satellite dish inauspiciously located on a remote Australian sheep farm. Much to NASA's alarm, the unconventional Aussie team -- led by Cliff Buxton (Sam Neill) -- are the world's only hope for receiving the historic images of man's first steps on the moon. With help from the colorful cast of local characters, the crew struggles to overcome a series of mishaps.
The Dish

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A feel good movie without an abundance of mush.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media Dec 28, 2010
4/5
A heartwarming family movie about the space race. Go to Full Review
Steven D. Greydanus Decent Films May 8, 2002
B+
In 1969, when the world watched as man went the moon, America needed help from Australia to see it. Today, the Aussies are coming to our aid again. Go to Full Review
Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle Apr 30, 2001
3/5
Utterly charming. Go to Full Review
Gary Wolcott Tri-City Herald May 1, 2024
A+
Rarely do the makers of film manage to take a historic event and make it as edgy as if you were seeing it for the first time. Go to Full Review
Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Jun 9, 2020
4.5/5
A universally stirring tale is being told here: one of battlers, bulldust and backroom bravado, set against one of the most significant of man's all-time achievements. Go to Full Review
John A. Nesbit Old School Reviews Mar 3, 2011
B
we are all part of planet Earth, and Sitch's film reminds us without preaching Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Han L Mar 21, 2019 One of my all time favourites. The soundtrack is incredible and Sam Neill is great in it.
Theodore Aug 16, 2018 Overall, The Dish is easily one my top 5 favourite Australian films. There is a great story here to be told and the actors have made it easy to fall in love with its characters (well, expect for a couple maybe, lol). I personally feel it's a shame the Bluray transfer wasn't consistent as some scenes don't look and sound solid until the film's third act. Either way, it's rather enjoyable. - Finesse Movie Reviews See more
Leia M Jan 22, 2018 Just like Australian people this movie is "warm and friendly". Before watching it I asked myself: the story of a big antenna, will be delivered well enough to make up for a good movie. My verdict: barely. But what saves it are not the fictionalizations (for me, the truer the better) but the images taken with that big antenna! The Moon Landing is an amazing moment in history, and this movie is a good reminder. See more
Ron W Dec 28, 2017 Good movie. The lunar landing scene in particular was quite touching.
George W May 27, 2017 Love love love this delightful movie that gets everything right. Not to be missed!
Finn P Jan 4, 2017 An interesting movie about Australia's role in the first man to land on the moon.
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The Dish

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Rob Sitch

Director

Sam Neill

Cliff Buxton

Kevin Harrington

Ross 'Mitch' Mitchell

Tom Long

Glenn Latham

Patrick Warburton

Al Burnett

Genevieve Mooy

May McIntyre

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The Dish

PATRICK WARBURTON and SAM NEILL in Working Dog's inspired human comedy, "The Dish," distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Left-to-right: KEVIN HARRINGTON, TOM LONG, PATRICK WARBURTON and SAM NEILL in Working Dog's inspired human comedy, "The Dish," distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. SAM NEILL in Working Dog's inspired human comedy, "The Dish," distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Director ROB SITCH on the set of Working Dog's inspired human comedy, "The Dish," distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. SAM NEILL and PATRICK WARBURTON in Working Dog's inspired human comedy, "The Dish," distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. TOM LONG in Working Dog's inspired human comedy, "The Dish," distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. SAM NEILL, KEVIN HARRINGTON and TOM LONG in Working Dog Productions' comedic true story, "The Dish," distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Left-to-right: TOM LONG, PATRICK WARBURTON, SAM NEILL and KEVIN HARRINGTON in Working Dog's inspired human comedy, "The Dish," distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The true story of a group of eccentric scientists who are responsible for manning a satellite dish inauspiciously located on a remote Australian sheep farm. Much to NASA's alarm, the unconventional Aussie team -- led by Cliff Buxton (Sam Neill) -- are the world's only hope for receiving the historic images of man's first steps on the moon. With help from the colorful cast of local characters, the crew struggles to overcome a series of mishaps.
Director
Rob Sitch
Producer
Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Jane Kennedy, Rob Sitch
Screenwriter
Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Jane Kennedy, Rob Sitch
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Village Roadshow Pictures, Dish Film Ltd., Working Dog Productions, Distant Horizon
Rating
PG-13 (Brief Strong Language)
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 27, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 3, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.3M
Runtime
1h 40m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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