Watch The Dish

  • NR
  • 2008
  • 1 hr 5 min

The Dish is a 2000 Australian comedy-drama film directed by Rob Sitch. It is loosely based on the true events surrounding the Parkes Observatory's involvement in relaying live television of the Apollo 11 moon landing to the world in 1969. The film stars Sam Neill, Kevin Harrington, Tom Long, Patrick Warburton, and Roy Billing. The story takes place in the small rural town of Parkes in New South Wales, Australia, where the Parkes Observatory operates the largest movable radio telescope in the world. The observatory is manned by a team of dedicated scientists and technicians, including the eccentric, but sharp Dr. Cliff Buxton (Neill) and his new assistant, Al Burnett (Long).

As the historic Apollo 11 mission approaches, tensions rise at the observatory. Dr. Buxton and his team are tasked with receiving and relaying the live television images from the moon to the rest of the world. However, when a mishap occurs during the transmission, the dish's reception is severely compromised, and the team must scramble to fix the problem before the broadcast begins.

As the clock ticks down, the team faces not only technical challenges but also personal ones. Al, who is new to the observatory, feels like an outsider and struggles to bond with his colleagues. Meanwhile, Dr. Buxton tries to manage his team while also dealing with his wife's illness.

The film is not just about the technical achievement of relaying the moon landing broadcast, but also about the people behind it. The characters are well-drawn, well-acted, and have their own unique personalities and quirks. The talented cast brings both drama and humor to their roles, making the film an enjoyable and heartfelt watch.

The Dish also features stunning cinematography that captures the open landscapes of rural Australia and the impressive design of the radio telescope. It's clear that the filmmakers wanted to give audiences a sense of the enormity of the telescope and the magnitude of the task at hand.

Overall, The Dish is a charming, funny, and heartwarming film that celebrates human achievement, teamwork, and the strength of community. It's a great choice for anyone interested in history or space exploration, but even those who aren't can find something to enjoy in the human stories at the heart of the film.

The Dish is a 2008 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 5 minutes.

Description
Where to Watch The Dish
The Dish is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Amazon. Some platforms allow you to rent The Dish for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2008
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 5 min