MovieChat Forums > The Dish (2001) Discussion > How well were the animals treated in thi...

How well were the animals treated in this film?

posted 15 years ago by hermit-7
26 replies | jump to latest

Reading what people here have said about The Dish has me intrigued, and I'd like to see it, but I don't personally know anyone who's seen the film, so...

How well did it appear that the animals (I'm presuming sheep, since it's set in a sheep farm, and any others) in this film were treated?

I'm often appalled at how carelessly or cruelly animals are treated in movies, and while I realize that what we see on-screen is not a completely reliable indicator of how animals in a movie are ACTUALLY treated, I'm interested in hearing any impressions about scenes involving animals.

Anyone who knows anything about the production standards could really help me out, but I'd appreciate hearing an opinion on this from anyone who has one.

Since this was an Australian movie, I don't think American Humane monitored the production of the film (I didn't find it on the big list on their website), and I don't know if Australia has any similar group or mechanism to ensure the decent treatment of animals in movies.

Any info (or opinion) would be appreciated!

[–] Andy4444 15 years ago

Who cares.

(You asked for an opinion...)

[–] hermit-7 15 years ago

I do.

[–] deasaiche 15 years ago

Hmmm...interesting question.

Haven't seen the movie in a while, but IIRC, the sheep were only slightly seen in a few scenes, just sort of milling around in the distance. Didn't get the impression that anything was done with them other than the camera pointing at them from a distance. For being a "sheep paddock," the installation looks a lot like its an empty field.

I think one of the characters had a dog that is seen walking around the house.

I was a ballerina! Graceful! DELICATE!

[–] hermit-7 15 years ago

Thanks! I really appreciate the info.

[–] drjukebox 15 years ago

I hear the sheep were really scared most of the time, but that is normal down under, where a man is a man, and......

[–] hermit-7 15 years ago

Thanks for making me laugh :-)

[–] lexyladyjax 13 years ago

Other countries, including Canada, the UK and Australia, have associations which assure that animals are treated humanely during film production. The Animal Rights National Conference in the US claims to be the oldest organisation responsible for educating people that animals feel pain and that they need to be treated with kindness and care.

In Australia is the Australian SPCA. There's also a branch of the Humane Society in Australia, the International Humane Society.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] marismi 15 years ago

i feel and think just like you about the animals- in- films- thing and i really LOVE "the dish" -- you really can watch it without disquiet.

friendly wave

m.

ALL LIFE IS EQUAL

[–] hermit-7 15 years ago

I am delighted and relieved to hear that!

--Lisa *waves back*

[–] LaserDoug 15 years ago

What very little on screen time showing any animals would be what one
would expect of sheep farming. A farmer, his sheep, and a sheep dog
doing what seems normal. If you go to the Parkes telescope website,
you can watch the live webcam of the dish, and there are some "Best of"
webcam clips that you can watch or save. One of these are of quite a
few kangaroo roaming freely and and what appears to be quite happily
on the grounds of the telescope. That wild animals feel comfortable
enough to roam that close to such massive technology would seem to
speak well of the Parkes workers, etc.

lb

[–] hermit-7 15 years ago

Very cool. Appreciate your perspective, and the info on the Parkes website--will check it out. Can't wait to see this movie--thanks!

--Lisa

[–] daleduggins 15 years ago

I think at least one sheep was eaten in the making of this film, with mint sauce.

[–] on3gin 15 years ago

Well, they roasted one and had it for Sunday dinner.

[–] LaserDoug 15 years ago

That was a stunt sheep.. May not have been in the union though..

lb.

[–] DavidTL 14 years ago

I read that they were nasty to the sheep and put them in the dome and tilted it so they would fall out.

I don't actually know, but I care for animals because I believe the only guilty species on the planet are Humans and we should be punished

Bourne + Bond = Best Action Film Award

[–] Tony-166 14 years ago

The worst thing they did was to play "sheep cricket". I won't bother you with the full details of this appalling game but hurling wombats at defenceless sheep would even upset Ricky Ponting.

[–] carlson_joseph 14 years ago

This is one film about Australia that doesn't even show one kangaroo, dingo or wallaby...or even many sheep, for that matter. I share your concern for the treatment of animals, but they were not an integral part of the movie.

[–] 14 years ago

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