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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 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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Breaking T @RT84502636 Aug 1, 2026 A movie that is based on true story, it never gets old! Must watch, Inspiring, leadership, God bless your soul Mr. Sam for bringing so much love to this world. See more Winnie B @RT10355741 Jul 15, 2026 One of my favorites. I love the story, the acting, and the music, even though three of the characters were not plausible. Love Sam Neil. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 14, 2026 Funny in 1 hour and 40 minutes. Rated PG-13 for Brief Strong Language. See more Wendy B @WoodlandElf Feb 14, 2024 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! See more Andrew P @RT86908410 Dec 4, 2023 Classic! A great rendition of the commonalities between Australia and the US in a classic well acted, beautifully conceived film. See more Vander A @RT27493688 Aug 5, 2023 If only all movies were this heartwarming and inspiring. Excellent well told, feel good movie and story. See more Read all reviews
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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