The Dish – Review

Based on a true story, The Dish offers an excellent tale of community and humanity. As an elderly man named Cliff Buxton (Neill) walks up a path in New South Wales, Australia, he eventually finds the Parkes Radio Telescope, the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere (or at least was in the 1960s). This brings back a flood of memories for him; however, his story is even more monumental than one may expect.

As we turn back the clock to JFK announcing the space mission to the moon, the setting hits the 1960s and moves along with newsclips until almost the end of the decade and July 1969. Here we have the Apollo 11 rocket readying for its first manned trip to the moon. Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldren, Michael Collins, next step for them: the moon. Or is it?!?!

Over in Australia, the school children are excited about the journey, however they worry about Martians shooting the poor astronauts in the head. Yikes. So, what the hell does any of this have to do with some radio telescope? Crazily enough, history has a relatively insane story to deliver, and this film reflects it.

President Nixon calls over to the Australian government, and things begin to get interesting. NASA is looking to use the Parkes Radio Telescope, as it is a backup receiver for Apollo 11, and coincidentally, when the rocket gets to the moon, it will be the primary receiving station based on the Earth’s rotation. They have the moon walk… But what else could happen on the journey to the stars?

An amusing script along with a pleasant cast creates the right atmosphere. The film covers Cliff and his crew of workers, as well as some other Australian and even American points of view, all while delivering a should be seen story about the Apollo 11 mission. It is mostly all feel good despite a few moments of drama or tension, which is part of the charm of the story anyway as it needs a touch of suspense. The smartly written story is well realized through well performed and realized characters. The satellite crew personalities really add a lot to this human story, which is good since they are the focal points during plenty of the “action.”

The Dish is a very good time, and includes plenty of fun lines and comedic moments while delivering a well-done historical drama about some tense times in space. It’s hard not to enjoy its appeal and overall charisma. Presenting an underreported story, The Dish shows a triumph of humanity, and a reason to work together. Go for launch!

“Are we stuffed?!”