Watch The Dish

The Dish is a 2000 Australian film that tells the story of a group of scientists and technicians from the Parkes Observatory in New South Wales, Australia, who play a crucial role in the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon in 1969. The movie's central character is Cliff Buxton, the director of the observatory, played by Sam Neill. He is joined by a lovable cast of characters, including satellite engineer Mitch, played by Billy Mitchell, and Marie, played by Roz Hammond.

The movie is set in the days leading up to the Apollo 11 mission, and it follows the team at the Parkes Observatory as they prepare to receive the live television broadcast of the first moonwalk. The movie is a fictionalized retelling of the events that took place during the mission, but it is based on real events.

The Parkes Observatory is the site of the largest radio telescope in the Southern Hemisphere, and it is the perfect location to receive the television signal from the Moon. The film begins with the team at Parkes receiving the signal from the unmanned lunar module, but as they prepare for the live broadcast from the Moon, they encounter a number of technical difficulties.

One of the main issues the team faces is that their backup generator fails just as they are about to receive the signal from the Moon. This means that they have to rely on the main generator, which is already overworked. To make matters worse, a violent storm hits the area, and the wind causes the telescope to move off course, disrupting the signal.

As the team struggles to fix the technical problems, they are also dealing with a number of personal issues. Mitch, the satellite engineer, is dealing with his unrequited love for Marie, one of the cafeteria workers. Meanwhile, Cliff is struggling with the fact that he has been passed over for a new position at the observatory, and he is worried that he will lose his job.

Despite these personal and technical challenges, the team manages to persevere and, eventually, they are successful in receiving the signal from the Moon. This moment is a triumph for the team at Parkes, as they played a crucial role in one of the most important events in human history.

The Dish is a heartwarming and engaging film that celebrates the ingenuity and determination of a small group of individuals who played a crucial role in the Apollo 11 mission. The film is filled with humor and warmth, and it is a testament to the human spirit.

Sam Neill's performance as Cliff Buxton is particularly impressive, and he does an excellent job of portraying the character's anxiety and sense of responsibility. Billy Mitchell's portrayal of the lovable Mitch is also engaging, and he provides much of the film's humor.

The movie is beautifully shot, with stunning views of the Australian countryside and the massive radio telescope that dominates the landscape. The attention to detail in the sets and costumes is also impressive, and the film does an excellent job of recreating the look and feel of the late 1960s.

In conclusion, The Dish is an excellent film that tells a fascinating and inspiring story. It is a must-see for anyone interested in space exploration, and it offers an engaging and entertaining look at one of the most important moments in human history.

The Dish is a 2001 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 74.