The true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes.The true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes.The true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes.
- Awards
- 4 wins & 11 nominations
- Jim Hickam
- (as Scott Miles)
- Dorothy Platt
- (as Courtney Fendley)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe author wished the movie to be called "Rocket Boys," like the book it's based on, but the studio believed that title would not sell well. The compromise title "October Sky" works on two levels: it's the month when the hero is first inspired by Sputnik flying overhead, and it is an anagram of "Rocket Boys".
- GoofsThe miners' union hall has a 50-star flag, but the strike takes place in 1958, a year before Alaska and Hawaii were admitted as states.
- Quotes
Homer: [to John] Dad, I may not be the best, but I come to believe that I got it in me to be somebody in this world. And it's not because I'm so different from you either, it's because I'm the same. I mean, I can be just as hard-headed, and just as tough. I only hope I can be as good a man as you. Sure, Wernher von Braun is a great scientist, but he isn't my hero.
- Crazy creditsThe real life people portrayed in the movie are shown during the end credits.
- SoundtracksNine Pound Hammer is Too Heavy
Written by Charlie Monroe
Performed by The Monroe Brothers
Courtesy of The RCA Records Label
The story is about a young man back in the Fifties who gets interested in rocketry and wants to enter that field instead of working in the coal mines as everyone else, including his father, does in this West Virginia town. The big problem is the conflict it causes between the boy and his father, which I think was overdone. I would like to have a little less tension between the two.
The young man, still a boy, is played by Jake Gyllenhaal, one of his first staring assignments, I think. He's likable, as are his school buddies in here. It's nice to see nice kids in a modern-day film. The two other key actors in the movie are Chris Cooper (the dad) and Laura Dern (the kid's teacher who encourages him all the time.)
The cinematography is decent the 1950s soundtrack is fun to hear. Once again: I wish there more of these kind of films made today.
- ccthemovieman-1
- Apr 9, 2006
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Rocket Boys
- Filming locations
- Petros, Tennessee, USA(Main set for coal-mining town)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $25,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $32,570,685
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $5,905,250
- Feb 21, 1999
- Gross worldwide
- $34,698,753
- Runtime1 hour 48 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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