October Sky
Movie Details:
| Based on | October Sky by Homer Hickam |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genres | Biography, Drama, Family |
| Release date | February 19, 1999 (United States) |
| Running time | 1hr 47min |
| Age rating | PG |
| Starring | Jake Gyllenhaal Chris Cooper Chris Owen Laura Dern |
| Directed by | Joe Johnston |
| Screenplay by | Lewis Colick |
| Produced by | Charles Gordon Larry J. Franco |
| Cinematography by | Fred Murphy |
| Edited by | Robert Dalva |
| Music by | Mark Isham |
| Casting by | Nancy Foy |
| Production Design by | Barry Robison |
| Art Direction by | Tony Fanning |
| Set Decoration by | Chris L. Spellman (as Chris Spellman) |
| Costume Design by | Betsy Cox |
| Production Company | Universal Pictures |
| Distributor | Universal Pictures |
Cast & Characters:
- Jake Gyllenhaal as Homer Hickam
- Chris Cooper as John Hickam
- Chris Owen as Quentin Wilson
- Laura Dern as Miss Freida J. Riley
- William Lee Scott as Roy Lee Cooke
- Chad Lindberg as Sherman O’Dell
- Natalie Canerday as Elsie Hickam
- Scott Thomas as Jim Hickam
- Randy Stripling as Leon Bolden
- Chris Ellis as Principal Turner
- Elya Baskin as Ike Bykovsky
- Winston Link as Railroad engineer
- Andy Stahl as Jack Palmer
- Mark Jeffrey Miller as Vernon
- Don Henderson Baker as Jensen
Storyline:
Set in the small town of Coalwood, West Virginia, the film follows young Homer Hickam (Jake Gyllenhaal) as he becomes fascinated with space and rocketry after witnessing the launch of Sputnik. Despite facing opposition from his father, John Hickam (Chris Cooper), who wants him to follow in the family tradition of coal mining, Homer teams up with his friends to build and launch rockets. With the support of his teacher, Miss Riley (Laura Dern), he perseveres through challenges and ultimately competes in a national science fair.
About Movie:
October Sky is an American biographical drama film directed by Joe Johnston, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Chris Owen, and Laura Dern. The screenplay, written by Lewis Colick, is based on the memoir Rocket Boys by Homer H. Hickam Jr. and Bryan Mealer. The film tells the true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner’s son who, inspired by the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, pursues his passion for rocketry against his father’s wishes and eventually becomes a NASA engineer.
Production Details
Principal photography for October Sky took place in rural East Tennessee, including locations such as Oliver Springs, Harriman, and Kingston in Morgan and Roane counties. The film was produced by Universal Pictures and received a moderate box office success.
Reception
October Sky received very positive critical reception, praised for its performances, particularly those of Gyllenhaal and Cooper, as well as its inspirational storytelling. It continues to be celebrated in the regions where it was set and filmed.
Title Significance
The title October Sky is an anagram of Rocket Boys, which was the original title of Hickam’s memoir. The name change was influenced by marketing research that suggested a more appealing title for broader audiences.Overall, October Sky is recognized for its themes of ambition, perseverance, and the pursuit of dreams against all odds, making it a beloved film among audiences interested in stories of personal triumph and scientific exploration.
Budget & Box Office Collection:
| Budget | $25,000,000 |
| Opening Day | $5,905,250 |
| Domestic Collection | $32,570,685 |
| International Collection | $2,128,068 |
| Worldwide Collection | $34,698,753 |