Stars: Sam Neill, Kevin Harrington, Tom Long, Patrick Warburton, Roy Billing, Bille Brown, Taylor Kane, Genevieve Mooy

Director: Rob Sitch

Summary: During the days before the historic moon landing in 1969 a bunch of Australian technicians were working with NASA to rig up a satellite link in the middle of a sheep farm...

In July 1969, the eyes of the world were on the Apollo 11 moon landing--but the world would have watched blank television screens if not for the hard work of a group of Australians manning the Parkes Radio Telescope, one of the largest dishes in the world. In THE DISH, a dramatization of the events surrounding the telecast or the space mission, Cliff Buxton (Sam Neill) and Al Burnett (Patrick Warburton) try to hold their crew together through calamities and crises ranging from dangerously high winds to a sudden power failure that cuts off contact with the distant astronauts, forcing the team to impersonate Neil Armstrong for the benefit of the visiting American ambassador. While the crew frantically prepares for the big moment, relaying the footage to televisions across the world, the people of Parkes celebrate their part in this momentous historical event. One of the most critically and commercially successful films ever to come out of Australia, THE DISH is a rousing, feel-good movie that succeeds both because of its perfectly formed characters and because of a heartwarming tone that illustrates that working for a common goal is the highest calling in life.

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When released in 2000, The Dishachieved the highest opening gross in its native Australia, a testament to the country's pride in its home-grown movies. Concentrating on that legendary day in July 1969 when Neil Armstrong set foot on the Moon The Dishlooks at the small but crucial role of the Parkes satellite receiver, without which the world would never have seen the historic landing. Sam Neill is the pipe-smoking "Dish Master" Cliff, whose team includes Dish mover "Mitch", distractedly love-struck electronics nerd Glenn and NASA representative Al.

The Dishcould have played the plot premise as a documentary or with a dramatic edge, but chooses instead to present the story at a leisurely comedic pace which oozes charm. The excited little community offers a snapshot of a fondly remembered past full of the idealism of the 1960s. Populated by warm-hearted souls, it's easy to forgive the town band welcoming a US Ambassador with the "Hawaii 5-0" theme instead of the National Anthem. The Dishmay not have the sense of danger of Apollo 13, or the dazzling FX of something like Armageddon, but it does have rounded, enjoyable characterisation and a truthful, warming atmosphere, making it easily one of the most enjoyable films inspired by the "space race". --Paul Tonks

Aspect Ratio:	1.85 Wide Screen
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Storyboards, Commentary Tracks, Moon Landing Footage, White Dish Feature, Sam Neill Interview, Biographies, Theatrical Trailer, TV And Radio Spots, Animated Menus
Subtitles:	English
Year:	2000
Release Date:	November 12, 2001
Runtime:	101 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	D 093276
Keywords:	Comedy, General, Dish
Genre:	Comedy