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October Sky

  • 19991999
  • PGPG
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
90K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,165
250
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
October Sky (1999)
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.
Play trailer2:19
1 Video
75 Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • Family

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.

IMDb RATING
7.8/10
90K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,165
250
  • Director
    • Joe Johnston
  • Writers
    • Homer H. Hickam Jr.(book "Rocket Boys")
    • Lewis Colick(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Jake Gyllenhaal
    • Chris Cooper
    • Laura Dern
Top credits
  • Director
    • Joe Johnston
  • Writers
    • Homer H. Hickam Jr.(book "Rocket Boys")
    • Lewis Colick(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Jake Gyllenhaal
    • Chris Cooper
    • Laura Dern
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 398User reviews
    • 97Critic reviews
    • 71Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 11 nominations

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:19
    Trailer

    Photos75

    Chris Cooper and Jake Gyllenhaal in October Sky (1999)
    William Lee Scott, Jake Gyllenhaal, Chad Lindberg, and Chris Owen in October Sky (1999)
    Laura Dern and Jake Gyllenhaal in October Sky (1999)
    Chris Cooper and Jake Gyllenhaal in October Sky (1999)
    Laura Dern and Jake Gyllenhaal in October Sky (1999)
    Laura Dern and Jake Gyllenhaal in October Sky (1999)
    Laura Dern and Jake Gyllenhaal in October Sky (1999)
    Laura Dern and Jake Gyllenhaal in October Sky (1999)
    1 sheet
    1 sheet movie poster
    Quad Movie Poster, 40 x 30
    October Sky (1999)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jake Gyllenhaal
    Jake Gyllenhaal
    • Homer Hickamas Homer Hickam
    Chris Cooper
    Chris Cooper
    • John Hickamas John Hickam
    Laura Dern
    Laura Dern
    • Miss Rileyas Miss Riley
    Chris Owen
    Chris Owen
    • Quentinas Quentin
    William Lee Scott
    William Lee Scott
    • Roy Leeas Roy Lee
    Chad Lindberg
    Chad Lindberg
    • O'Dellas O'Dell
    Natalie Canerday
    Natalie Canerday
    • Elsie Hickamas Elsie Hickam
    Scott Thomas
    • Jim Hickamas Jim Hickam
    • (as Scott Miles)
    Randy Stripling
    • Leon Boldenas Leon Bolden
    Chris Ellis
    Chris Ellis
    • Principal Turneras Principal Turner
    Elya Baskin
    Elya Baskin
    • Ike Bykovskyas Ike Bykovsky
    Courtney Cole-Fendley
    Courtney Cole-Fendley
    • Dorothy Plattas Dorothy Platt
    • (as Courtney Fendley)
    David Dwyer
    David Dwyer
    • Jake Mosbyas Jake Mosby
    Terry Loughlin
    Terry Loughlin
    • Mr. Dantzleras Mr. Dantzler
    Kaili Hollister
    Kaili Hollister
    • Valentine Carminaas Valentine Carmina
    David Copeland
    • Coach Gaineras Coach Gainer
    Don Henderson Baker
    Don Henderson Baker
    • Jensenas Jensen
    Tom Kagy
    • Lennyas Lenny
    • Director
      • Joe Johnston
    • Writers
      • Homer H. Hickam Jr.(book "Rocket Boys")
      • Lewis Colick(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    In a 1950's mining town called Coalwood, Homer Hickam is a kid with only one future in sight, to work in the local coal mine like his father. However in October 1957, everything changes when the first artificial satellite, Sputnik goes into orbit. With that event, Homer becomes inspired to learn how to build rockets. With his friends and the local nerd, Homer sets to do just that by trial and a lot of error. Unfortunately, most of the town and especially Homer's father thinks that they are wasting their time. Only one teacher in the high school understands their efforts and lets them know that they could become contenders in the national science fair with college scholarships being the prize. Now the gang must learn to perfect their craft and overcome the many problems facing them as they shoot for the stars. —Kenneth Chisholm <kchishol@execulink.com>
    • alcohol
    • rocket
    • hope
    • competition
    • nerd
    • 158 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Sometimes one dream is enough to light up the whole sky.
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Drama
      • Family
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG for language, brief teen sensuality and alcohol use, and for some thematic elements
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The 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".
    • Goofs
      The 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 credits
      The real life people portrayed in the movie are shown during the end credits.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Office Space/October Sky/The 24 Hour Woman/Jawbreaker/Tango (1999)
    • Soundtracks
      Nine Pound Hammer is Too Heavy
      Written by Charlie Monroe

      Performed by The Monroe Brothers

      Courtesy of The RCA Records Label

    User reviews398

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Takes One Back To A Childhood In The '50s
    This is a fine drama and a nice change of pace from today's more hectic and loud films. It is another solid based-on-a-true store, which still means much of it could be made up for dramatic purposes. Frankly, I don't know but I liked the story.

    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.
    helpful•61
    7
    • ccthemovieman-1
    • Apr 10, 2006

    FAQ3

    • What is the significance of the title "October Sky"?
    • What are the differences between the book and the movie?
    • What exactly is Hodgkin's disease?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 19, 1999 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Rocket Boys
    • Filming locations
      • Petros, Tennessee, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • 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
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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