October Sky

Theatrical Release Date: 1999 02 19 (USA)

UPC: 025192554421

Studio: Universal Studios

MPAA Rating: PG   Contains:[Adult Situations, Adult Language, Watch With Your Kids, Suitable for Teens]

Summary: NASA engineer Homer H. Hickam, Jr.'s autobiography provided the basis for this drama about a teenager coming of age at the dawn of the space race. In 1957, Homer Hickam (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a high school student in Coalwood, West Virginia when the Soviet Union launches Sputnik, the first man-made satellite. While most of his friends and neighbors react with fear or distrust, Homer is instantly fascinated and begins studying everything he can find on jet and rocket design. While many of Homer's friends are puzzled by his new obsession, several new friends share his enthusiasm, and with the encouragement of his teacher (Laura Dern), Homer and his fellow "Rocket Boys" begin designing and launching their own homemade missiles. However, Homer's father (Chris Cooper) takes a dim view of his son's interest in rockets and is convinced Homer's future should be the same as his own, working in the local coal mines. October Sky mixes the drama of traditional family conflicts with a nostalgic glimpse of life in the mid-50's and a look at the earliest days of our journey into space. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Category: Drama

Awards: Best Adapted Screenplay – Writers Guild of America Best Live Action Family Film – Broadcast Film Critics Association

Features: ccAiming High: The Story of the Rocket Boys
Feature commentary with Homer Hickam
Spotlight on location
Production notes
Theatrical trailer

October Sky

Format: Digital Video Disc (DVD)

Release Date: 01/25/2005

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Cinemascope

Audio: DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS-ESM Digital Theater Pseudo 6.1 System, DDS Dolby Digital Surround

Runtime: 108 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,French,Spanish

Subtitles: English,French,Spanish

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Side #1 --
1. The Age of Sputnik [2:29]
2. The Coalwood Boy [6:35]
3. To Build a Rocket [8:43]
4. Stroke of Genius [7:30]
5. Cape Coalwood [9:14]
6. Rocket Roulette [3:35]
7. Splitting the Sky [3:01]
8. False Hopes [5:09]
9. Up in Smoke [6:52]
10. Valentine [1:27]
11. I Won't Shed a Tear [12:32]
12. A Life That Counts [1:53]
13. Search for Auk 13 [3:20]
14. Strike [8:55]
15. Homer's in Trouble [4:05]
16. The Highest Honor [3:47]
17. This Ones Yours [5:53]
18. Epilogue/Titles [4:44]

Mike DiBella

Joe Johnston's sentimental film, based on NASA engineer Homer Hickam's autobiographical The Rocket Boys, is a largely breezy, uplifting picture. A Stand By Me for space and science enthusiasts, the film features an excellent young cast, with Jacob Gyllenhaal, Chris Owen, and Chad Lindberg sharing the screen with veterans Laura Dern and Chris Cooper, the latter playing Homer's old-fashioned father with grit and feeling. The tear-jerking plot gathers strength by playing upon the viewer's emotions, and also benefits from its setting in a dim West Virginia mining town, which starkly contrasts with the film's lilting tone. The dark, coal-like tint suggests that the mining town is a virtually inescapable biosphere, a seemingly desolate reality that makes the film's conclusion all the more effective. Johnston's adaptation shores up the details of the book magnificently, moving from one plot point to the next in a free and easy fashion, making for a full-blooded and well-executed film. ~ Mike DiBella, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Elya Baskin  Actor 
Terry Loughlin  Actor 
Lewis Colick  Screenwriter 
Charles Gordon  Producer 
Mark Isham  Composer (Music Score) 
Joe Johnston  Director 
Peter Cramer  Executive Producer 
Marc Sternberg  Executive Producer 
Larry Franco  Producer 
Jake Gyllenhaal  Actor 
Chris Cooper  Actor 
Laura Dern  Actor 
Chris Owen  Actor 
William Lee Scott  Actor 
Chad Lindberg  Actor 
Natalie Canerday  Actor 
Scott Miles  Actor 
Randy Stripling  Actor 
Chris Ellis  Actor 

Country: USA