October Sky image

October Sky

Genre
Drama
Rating
PG
Released
19 February, 1999
October Sky

October Sky is a 1999 American biographical drama film directed by Joe Johnston and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Chris Owen, and Laura Dern. The screenplay by Lewis Colick, based on the memoir of the same name, tells the true story of Homer H. Hickam Jr., a coal miner's son who was inspired by the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957 to take up rocketry against his father's wishes and eventually became a NASA engineer. October Sky is based on the lives of four young men who grew up in Coalwood, West Virginia. Principal photography took place in rural East Tennessee, including Oliver Springs, Harriman and Kingston in Morgan and Roane counties. The film was a moderate box office success and received very positive critical reception; it continues to be celebrated in the regions of its setting and filming.

Director Joe Johnston
Produced by Charles Gordon, Larry J. Franco
Screenplay by Lewis Colick
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Chris Owen, Laura Dern
Music Mark Isham
Cinematography Fred Murphy
Edited by Robert Dalva
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Released February 19, 1999 (United States)
Running time 105 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $25 million
Box office $34.7 million
Netflix ID 18957852

About October Sky

Based on a true story, the film follows Homer H. Hickam, Jr, a son of a coal miner, who was inspired to take rocketry and eventually become a NASA engineer. The film is based on the autobiography of the same name by Homer Hickam.

Achievement of October Sky

The film was mainly shot in and around rural East Tennessee. October Sky is an anagram for "Rocket Boys" which was the original title of Homer Hickam's autobiography; the title was later changed.

Top Facts You Did Not Know About October Sky

Films directed by Joe Johnston.. Films set in Appalachia.. Biographical films about scientists.. Model rocketry.. Films set in West Virginia.. Films about technology.. Films shot in Tennessee.. Cold War films.. Films based on biographies.. American teen drama films.

Latest information about October Sky updated on July 28 2021.