Amazon.co.uk Review
When released in 2000, The Dish achieved 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 Dish looks 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 Dish could 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 Dish may 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
Video Description
DVD Special Features:
Director's commentary.
Production commentary.
NASA archive footage.
Sam Neill interview (UK exclusive).
Archival commentary.
Storyboards.
The Dish on The Dish featurette.
Cast and crew biographies.
Radio spot.
Key dates in early human space flight.
Apollo 11 diary.
Theatrical trailer.
"The hidden dish".
TV spots.
Interactive menus.
Scene access.
1.85:1 widescreen.
Languages: English Dolby Digital 5.1.
Subtitles: English, English for the hearing impaired.
Director's commentary.
Production commentary.
NASA archive footage.
Sam Neill interview (UK exclusive).
Archival commentary.
Storyboards.
The Dish on The Dish featurette.
Cast and crew biographies.
Radio spot.
Key dates in early human space flight.
Apollo 11 diary.
Theatrical trailer.
"The hidden dish".
TV spots.
Interactive menus.
Scene access.
1.85:1 widescreen.
Languages: English Dolby Digital 5.1.
Subtitles: English, English for the hearing impaired.
From the Back Cover
July 1969. Apollo 11's astronauts will walk on the moon -- and a huge satellite dish outside a sheep-farming Australian town has been chosen to beam the live footage globally. The whole world is depending on scientist Cliff Buxton (Sam Neill) who must steer the eccentric crew who man the telescope through a sea of mishaps and disasters that threatens to spoil the small town's finest hour. Watching over them is a by-the-book NASA representative who can't quite understand their quriky working methods. A comical culture clash erupts in this effortlessly funny tale of how history's biggest televised event was almost cancelled. The Dish is a warm-hearted and hilarious comedy based on a true story of what the world didn't see.
