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The Dish

Play trailer Poster for The Dish PG-13 2001 1h 40m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
96% Tomatometer 99 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 A heartwarming family movie about the space race. Rated: 4/5 Dec 28, 2010 Full Review Steven D. Greydanus Decent Films 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. Rated: B+ May 8, 2002 Full Review Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle Utterly charming. Rated: 3/5 Apr 30, 2001 Full Review Gary Wolcott Tri-City Herald 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. Rated: A+ May 1, 2024 Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) 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. Rated: 4.5/5 Jun 9, 2020 Full Review John A. Nesbit Old School Reviews we are all part of planet Earth, and Sitch's film reminds us without preaching Rated: B Mar 3, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Clinton R One of the most delightful cinematic experiences! Perfect in every regard! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/09/25 Full Review Audience Member Enjoyable film although it's a bit stretched in places. Honeysuckle Creek near Canberra and other places around Oz also contributed to the team effort. In fact, Prime Minister, John Gorton made a surprise visit to Honeysuckle Creek, not Parkes. It really doesn't matter because the Aussie humour and determination shines through. Brings back memories for me, a 16 year old in Adelaide rushing home from a Chemistry exam to watch the walk about lunch time. Great stuff! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/11/24 Full Review Ellen D This is my absolute favorite movie of all time. It's funny, heartwarming and very Australian. When I'm feeling down, I watch this movie and life is better. When I went to Australia, my first trip was to Parkes to see the Dish; I took 160 pictures! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/10/24 Full Review Wendy B Very interesting movie since I remember watching it on TV in 1969 when I was young. It was Sunday on a warm summer afternoon. It was nice to relive those memories. At the time I had no idea that a radio telescope in Australia was bringing us the TV pictures. Brilliant! Thank you Australia! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/14/24 Full Review Andrew P Classic! A great rendition of the commonalities between Australia and the US in a classic well acted, beautifully conceived film. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/04/23 Full Review Vander A If only all movies were this heartwarming and inspiring. Excellent well told, feel good movie and story. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/05/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Dish

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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)