THE DISH It is the most remarkable achievement in our history. Man walking on the moon. Neil Armstrong's first steps on the lunar surface and his words "'That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" are imprinted in our collective mind forever. But some events leading up to the broadcast on that unforgettable day have not been told... until now. NASA spent ten years and billions of dollars to send man to the moon and on July 20 1969, 600 million people around the globe watched the most incredible triumph the world had ever seen. What's not so well known is how those live television pictures were beamed to the people. NASA originally intended a facility in Goldstone California to take the first pictures of man walking on the moon. Halfway around the world at Honeysuckle Creek and Parkes New South Wales Australia, a team of dedicated scientists prepared their radio telescopes as ‘back up’ to the powerful dish in the USA. But a late schedule change meant that the telescopes in the Southern Hemisphere would be in a position to receive the famous images. Australia in fact broadcast Neil Armstrong’s moonwalk to the world. In recognition of Australia's involvement in the moon mission THE DISH honours the teamwork, skill and passion of scientists from NASA, Honeysuckle Creek and Parkes, by taking elements from all those facilities and turning it into one story. For a few days in July 1969 a small group of Australian scientists found themselves key players in the Apollo XI space programme. Their mission …, to pick up and relay the most historic television pictures ever seen. Live. And with any event on such a grand scale, there's sure to be a few hitches along the way … THE DISH is as much about human relationships and risk-taking as it is about thc high drama and tension in staging one of the most technologically challenging projects ever undertaken. The team that brought you one of Australia's most popular movies THE CASTLE brings you THE DISH … a funny, warm, uplifting and inspiring movie bound to make you feel good to be a human being. The Story Based on a true story, THE DISH follows the emotions, drama and laughter behind the four day Apollo XI mission in July 1969 and the extraordinary role Australia played. NASA originally intended Australian radio telescopes to be used as 'backup' to the prime receiver in Goldstone California. But a last-minute flight schedule change meant that telescopes in the southern hemisphere would be in a position to receive the famous images. Australia would broadcast man walking on the moon to the entire world. In our story, we look at one of those telescopes at Parkes in country New South Wales Australia. Standing strong to this day, the radio telescope in Parkes, or 'The Dish' is as wide as a football oval, weighs 1000 tons and can be pointed virtually in any direction. It is at this 'Dish' we meet our reluctant heroes... Cliff Buxton (SAM NEILL), Ross 'Mitch' Mitchell (KEVIN HAARRINGTON) and Glenn Latham (TOM LONG), the Australians responsible for operating the massive facility for the broadcast of man's first steps on the moon. Joining them is NASA representative Al Burnett (PATRICK WARBURTON). Arriving in Australia the week before the launch Al is faced with cultural differences and some resistance as he prepares for the massive event. His three Australian colleagues are a far cry from the crew back home in Houston. The Aussies struggle to accept the American’s fastidious ways and tension develops. In the meantime, the town prepares for the biggest event it has ever known, proud of its involvement in this world-wide event. Then a few days after Apollo XI's lift-off and its journey toward the moon, disaster strikes at the Dish and our earth based 'heroes' realise they have temporarily "lost" contact with Apollo XI. With their reputations on the line as well as that of the Parkes Mayor Bob Mclntyre (ROY BILLING), Australia's Prime Minister (BILLE BROWN) and the entire town, the three Australians and their American colleague endeavour to relocate the spaceship. Add to that a freak storm with possible life threatening circumstances and you have an exciting, emotional and truly funny story, showing how our Australian/American team work together to bring the world those famous pictures. THE DISH is based on a true story and is written, produced and directed by the team that brought you THE CASTLE.