October Sky (1999)

Director:

Joe Johnston

Writers (WGA):

Homer H. Hickam Jr. (book)
Lewis Colick (screenplay)

Release Date:

19 February 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Family

Tagline:

Sometimes one dream is enough to light up the whole sky.

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Rocket | Teacher | Science | Mining | Sputnik

Awards:

3 wins & 11 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. Dec. 7	1:00 PM	AMC
Tue. Dec. 8	8:30 AM	AMC

Cast

Jake Gyllenhaal	...	Homer Hickam
Chris Cooper	...	John Hickam
Laura Dern	...	Miss Riley
Chris Owen	...	Quentin
William Lee Scott	...	Roy Lee
Chad Lindberg	...	O'Dell
Natalie Canerday	...	Elsie Hickam
Scott Miles	...	Jim Hickam
Randy Stripling	...	Leon Bolden
Chris Ellis	...	Principal Turner
Elya Baskin	...	Ike Bykovsky
Courtney Cole-Fendley	...	Dorothy Platt (as Courtney Fendley)
David Dwyer	...	Jake Mosby
Terry Loughlin	...	Mr. Dantzler
Kailie Hollister	...	Valentine Carmina (as Kaili Hollister)
David Copeland	...	Coach Gainer
Don Henderson Baker	...	Jensen
Tom Kagy	...	Lenny
Donald Thorne	...	Trooper One
Justin Whitsett	...	Kid
Larry Rue	...	Neighbor
Neva Howell	...	Neighbor
Terry Nienhuis	...	Neighbor
Brady Coleman	...	Anderson
Rick Forrester	...	Roper
Terrence Gibney	...	Basil Thorpe
Doug Swander	...	Corvette Guy
Keeli Hale Kimbro	...	Corvette Girl
Mark Jeffrey Miller	...	Vernon
Blaque Fowler	...	Reverend
Don Tilley	...	Rescue Worker
Rockford Davis	...	Chemistry Teacher
John Bennes	...	Doctor
Jonathan Fawbush	...	Barney
Larry Black	...	Fred Smith
Frank Schuler	...	Moonshiner
Tommy Smeltzer	...	Man at Mine
Charles Lawlor	...	Miner
Tom Turbiville	...	Miner
Ida Ginn	...	Quentin's Mom
Richard Lumpkin	...	Judge at Welch
Mark W. Johnson	...	Union Official (as Mark Whitman Johnson)
Don Taylor	...	Union Official
Don G. Campbell	...	Mr. Morris
Liz Byler	...	Ivy League Girl (as Elizabeth Byler)
Bradford Ryan Lund	...	Ivy League Boy
Frank Hoyt Taylor	...	Judge at Indy
Dave Hager	...	Head Judge (as David Hager)
Ray Elder	...	Tom Webster
Andy Stahl	...	Jack Palmer
Joe Digaetano	...	Wernher von Braun (as Joey DiGaetano)
Thomas Taylor	...	Miner in Elevator
David Ducey	...	Man in Crowd
Jenny Patterson	...	Nurse
O. Winston Link	...	Locomotive Engineer
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Brian Keith	...	Coal Miner (uncredited)
Shawn Lindsay	...	Miner (uncredited)

Directed by
Joe Johnston

Writing credits (WGA)
Homer H. Hickam Jr.		(book "Rocket Boys")
Lewis Colick		(screenplay)

Produced by
Peter Cramer	....	executive producer
Larry J. Franco	....	producer (as Larry Franco)
Charles Gordon	....	producer
Marc Sternberg	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Mark Isham

Cinematography by
Fred Murphy		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Robert Dalva

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

Makeup Department
Lynn Barber	....	makeup supervisor
Gloria Belz	....	key makeup artist
Julie Callihan	....	makeup artist
Susan Mills	....	key hair stylist
Michelle Vanderpool-Kohrs	....	hair stylist (as Michealle Vanderpool-Kohrs)
Beka Wilson	....	hair stylist
Leigh Ann Yandle	....	makeup artist
Jeff Goodwin	....	special makeup maker (uncredited)
Rachel Kick	....	makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Zane Weiner	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Betsy Magruder	....	first assistant director
Rusty Mahmood	....	second second assistant director
Matt Marshall	....	additional second assistant director
Jonathan McGarry	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Mark Bachman	....	graphic artist
Sheila Bartlett	....	painter
Joseph F. Beeco	....	construction foreman
Matthew Butler	....	on-set greens
Craig Byrom	....	construction foreman
Michael Calabrese	....	lead man
Jimmy L. Carmickle	....	construction foreman
William G. Davis	....	set designer
Edward G. Fitzgerald	....	swing gang (as Ed Fitzgerald)
Ruby Guidara	....	buyer
Todd Hatfield	....	stand-by painter
Alan Hook	....	set designer
Whitney B. Kemp	....	prop assistant
Kevin Kropp	....	prop assistant
Eric Luling	....	on-set dresser (as Eric J. Luling)
Alisa Lumbreras	....	scenic foreman (as Alisa B. Lumbperas)
Andrew Menzies	....	assistant art director
Swift Moseley	....	greensman
John Patterson	....	construction foreman
Michael Pisani	....	set dresser
James Pyburn	....	construction foreman (as Jim Pybrun)
C.J. Pyles	....	swing gang
John Rabasca	....	swing gang
Spencer Register	....	swing gang (as Spencer H. Register)
Philip Schneider	....	property master (as Philip G. Schneider)
Fred Schwendel	....	swing gang (as Fred W. Schwendel)
Manny Serrano	....	swing gang
Brian Stultz	....	lead scenic (as Brian Patrick Stultz)
Margaret A. Thigpen	....	swing gang
David Weathers	....	swing gang
Douglas Womack	....	construction coordinator (as Douglas A. Womack)
Susan Zeh	....	art department coordinator

Sound Department
Charlie Ajar Jr.	....	sound recordist (as Charlie Ajar)
Thom Brennan	....	foley editor
Michael C. Casper	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Michael Casper)
Mary H. Ellis	....	production sound mixer (as Mary Ellis)
Bill Fibben	....	boom operator
Stephanie Flack	....	dialogue editor
Michael Geisler	....	sound designer
Howell Gibbens	....	supervising sound editor
Aaron Glascock	....	sound effects editor
Hilda Hodges	....	foley artist
Alan Holly	....	adr mixer
Elizabeth Kenton	....	supervising adr editor
Mary Jo Lang	....	foley mixer
Daniel J. Leahy	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Daniel Leahy)
Greg W. Lowe	....	adr recordist (as Greg Lowe)
James Morioka	....	assistant sound editor
John Roesch	....	foley artist (as John B. Roesch)
Carolyn Tapp	....	foley recordist
Mark Zimbicki	....	cable person

Special Effects by
Joe Digaetano	....	special effects supervisor (as Joey DiGaetano)
Bill Johnson	....	special effects makeup
Richard E. Perry	....	special effects
Gary Pilkinton	....	special effects (as Gary L. Pilkinton)
Dave Rigsby	....	special effects (as Dave Rigbsy)
Kathleen Tonkin	....	special effects
Robert Vazquez	....	special effects foreman

Visual Effects by
Joel Aron	....	sequence supervisor: ILM
Okan Ataman	....	sabre artist: ILM
Brent Bowers	....	CG technical support: ILM
Sean M. Casey	....	visual effects still photographer: ILM (as Sean Casey)
Theresa Corrao	....	visual effects coordinator: ILM
Julie D'Antoni	....	visual effects production assistant: ILM
Krystyna Demkowicz	....	visual effects producer: Matte World Digital
Pablo Helman	....	sabre supervisor: ILM
Kela Hicks	....	CG technical support: ILM
Patrick Jarvis	....	digital painter: ILM
Mickey McGovern	....	visual effects editor: ILM (as Mike McGovern)
Fred Meyers	....	visual effects principal engineer: ILM
Mark S. Miller	....	visual effects producer: ILM
Kristen Millette	....	CG technical support: ILM
Jim Mitchell	....	visual effects supervisor: ILM
Michelle Motta	....	CG technical support: ILM
Bruce Vecchitto	....	digital timing supervisor: ILM
Jonathan Wank	....	sabre artist: ILM
Craig Barron	....	visual effects supervisor: Matte World (uncredited)
Brett Northcutt	....	digital matte artist (uncredited)
Paul Rivera	....	digital composite supervisor: Mate World Digital (uncredited)

Stunts
Chris Bennett	....	stunts
Cliff Cudney	....	stunt coordinator
John Fagan	....	stunts
Jeff Galpin	....	stunts
Robert Girard	....	stunts
David Brian Martin	....	stunts
Peter Peterson	....	stunts
Chad Rose	....	stunts
Mike Smith	....	stunts
Russell Towery	....	stunts
Robert Vazquez	....	stunts
Cliff Cudney	....	stunt double: Jake Gyllenhaal (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Terry Arthur	....	rigging key grip
Jeff Becker	....	rigging gaffer
Khris Bennett	....	key rigging grip
Lewis Bowman	....	grip
Tom Clark	....	electrician
Fred Cooper	....	dolly grip
Dan Cornwall	....	electrician
Stephen Crowley	....	best boy electric
David J. Duren	....	electrician (as David Duren)
Brant S. Fagan	....	Steadicam operator
David Galbraith	....	first assistant camera
Jeffry Gordon	....	electrician
Brian Gunter	....	gaffer
Robert Hill Jr.	....	grip (as Robert Hill)
Morgan Michael Lewis	....	key grip (as Mike Lewis)
Lee McLemore	....	grip
Bobby McMahan	....	second assistant camera (as Robert A. McMahan)
Greg Morse	....	24 frame video operator
Deana Newcomb	....	still photographer
Dee Nichols	....	grip
Van Redin	....	still photographer
Chris Rodriquez	....	grip
John 'Bones' Rogers	....	electrician
Paul Varrieur	....	camera operator
Jerome Williams	....	camera loader
Darryl Wilson	....	best boy grip
Dan Cornwall	....	gaffer: second unit (uncredited)
Douglas C. Hart	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera (uncredited)

Casting Department
Jo Doster	....	location casting
Diana Jaher	....	casting associate
Kim Petrosky	....	extras casting
Owen J. Rice	....	extras casting assistant
Kim McCray	....	extras casting assistant (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Stephen Brown	....	costumer
Fumie H. Carrera	....	seamstress
Stephen K. Randolph	....	key set costumer
Kelly Anne Ross	....	set costumer (as Kelly Ross-Wilson)
Marciann Shapiro	....	costume supervisor

Editorial Department
Steve Ansell	....	second assistant editor
Andi Kasen Bergman	....	assistant editor (as Andi Kasen)
Gary Burritt	....	negative cutter
Todd Busch	....	first assistant editor
Anthony J. Camaioni	....	assistant editor (as Anthony Joseph Camaioni)
Eric Rigney	....	avid technician
Mike Stanwick	....	color timer
Robb Sullivan	....	assistant editor
Dale Jones	....	avid technician (uncredited)

Music Department
Thomas A. Carlson	....	music editor (as Tom Carlson)
Sandy DeCrescent	....	orchestra contractor
Peter Doell	....	assistant score recordist (as Pete Doell)
Janice Hayen	....	music preparation
Stephen Krause	....	score mixer
Stephen Krause	....	score recordist
Ken Kugler	....	conductor
Ken Kugler	....	orchestrator
Sid Page	....	musician: solo violin
Joe E. Rand	....	music editor
Chris Ridenhour	....	assistant music preparation

Transportation Department
Cindy Parker	....	transportation coordinator
J.L. Parker	....	transportation coordinator
Mike Robinson	....	special driver

Other crew
Charles Thomas Baxter	....	location manager (as Charley Baxter)
Gerald Bean	....	craft service
Michael Beaudin	....	assistant accountant
Emily S. Buckberry	....	dialogue consultant
Janet Campolito	....	assistant production coordinator
Misty Cooper	....	assistant: Mr. Gordon
C.J. Drews	....	production assistant
David Fulton	....	unit publicist (as Dave Fulton)
John Griffin	....	production assistant
John Guss	....	production assistant
Rhonda Guthrie	....	production secretary (as Rhonda J. Guthrie)
Alan Jacques	....	projectionist (as Al Jacques)
Diane Johnson	....	craft service
Dana Kullerd	....	set production assistant
Eric Lasagna	....	first aid
Barrett J. Leigh	....	production assistant
Arthur J. Miller Jr.	....	railroad coordinator
John Polyhar	....	production assistant (as John Ployhar)
Molly Proctor	....	payroll
Mike Revell	....	production accountant
Paul Schmitz	....	production assistant
Jeff Talman	....	assistant location manager
Thomas Taylor	....	advisor: mining (as Tom Taylor)
Cheryl A. Tkach	....	assistant: Mr. Franco and Mr. Johnston
Michael Tomlinson	....	location scout
Katie Willard Troebs	....	production coordinator
Brenda K. Wachel	....	script supervisor (as Brenda Wachel)
Rennie Cowan	....	assistant avid technician (uncredited)
John Marston	....	location projectionist: substitute (uncredited)

Thanks
John J. Duncan Jr.	....	special thanks: U.S. Representative
Anne B. Pope	....	special thanks: Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission, Executive Director (as Anne Pope)
Don Sundquist	....	special thanks: Tennessee Governor

Production Companies

• Universal Pictures

Distributors

• Universal Pictures (1999) (USA) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2000) (France) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2000) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (2000) (Japan) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (2002) (USA) (TV)
• CIC Vídeo (Brazil) (DVD)
• CIC Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
• Finnkino (2000) (Finland) (VHS)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (1999) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (2003) (Finland) (TV)
• Net5 (2003) (Netherlands) (TV) (first national airing)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (2003) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (200?) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Universal Pictures Finland Oy (2004) (Finland) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures Finland Oy (2005) (Finland) (DVD) (special edition)
• Universal Pictures (2000) (Germany) (VHS)
• Universal Pictures (200?) (UK) (VHS)
• Universal Studios Home Video (1999) (USA) (DVD)
• Universal Studios Home Video (2000) (USA) (VHS) (special edition)
• Universal Studios Home Video (2005) (USA) (DVD) (special edition)

Special Effects

• Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) (visual effects)
• Matte World Digital (additional visual effects)

Other Companies

• Capitol Studios  music recorded at
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera cranes
• DeLuxe Laboratories  color
• Howard Anderson Company, The  titles and opticals
• IMAX  special thanks
• L.A. Mad Dogs  adr voice casting
• NBC News Archives  footage
• Panavision  cameras and lenses
• R.C. Baral & Co.  post-production accounting
• Sony Classical  soundtrack
• Tomkats Catering  catering
• Universal Studios Sound Facilities  sound re-recording (as Universal Studios Sound Facility)

Also Known As:

Rocket Boys (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for language, brief teen sensuality and alcohol use, and for some thematic elements.

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:L | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Finland:K-3 (2004) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Canada:14A | France:U | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:II | Mexico:A | New Zealand:PG | Norway:7 | Portugal:M/12 (video premiere) | Singapore:PG | South Korea:12 | Sweden:7 (re-rating) | Sweden:Btl (original rating) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | USA:PG | Finland:K-10 (2000)

Filming Locations:

Fountain City Elementary School - 2910 Montbelle Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Homer H. Hickam Jr. never actually met Wernher von Braun.

Goofs:

Continuity: At the end of the movie when they show the space shuttle launch, the first shot shows a launch stack with a white painted external tank. The second shot shows a later, unpainted rust colored tank.

Quotes:

O'Dell: Besides, didn't your dad say no more rockets?
Homer: No, he said no more rockets on company property.
O'Dell: Do you realize how far we'd have to go to be off company property?
Homer: Yeah, we'd have to go to Snakeroot.
Quentin: Snakeroot? That's eight miles!
Homer: It's not *that* far. I mean we could walk if we had to...
O'Dell: Hey, walk! Heh! That's a great idea!
Homer: Come on let's go!
Roy Lee: Wait the hell up, will you Homer? Now I got about as much chance of winning that science fair as you do winning a football scholarship. I know I'm gonna be a miner. I've known my entire life. What the hell's so bad about mining coal anyway?
Homer: Nothing Roy Lee. It's great. That's why your stepdaddy is the biggest drunk in West Virginia! I mean, come on guys! You know the mine'll kill you!
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in My Big Break (2009)

Soundtrack:

It's All in the Game

The first great film of 1999. *** out of ****.

There is an old saying that relates to the rousing new film by Joe Johnston that goes something like this: "The man who thinks he can and the man who thinks he can't are both right." That is a highly presumptuous statement referring to self motivating and belief in an individual, which, in this movie, stand true even after road blocks and family trouble stand in the way.

"October Sky" is about a young man who believes in himself named Homer Hickam, growing up in a strict, traditional family in the 1950's. Homer loves in a small coal mining town where nearly every man grows up to be a miner. All of his friends, Quentin, Roy, and O'Dell all think that their life after high school will be like everyone else's. Homer is not exited about that future.

One night, while everyone stares at the sky, a Russian space craft called Sputnik passes overhead. This is something new for Homer, and he finds it spectacular and overwhelming. From this point on, his look at life will never be the same.

First, he tells everyone that he wants to work in the rocket scientist area for an occupation. Flabbergasted at what he says, his family passes that idea over their heads and continues with life as usual His friends, however, think that this idea may have some potential. After all, Quentin is a very smart individual when it comes to this kind of thing.

When the four friends start to test model rockets, and blow a white picket fence to smithereens, then what seems to be a forest fire is scared by them, they're forced to end their progresses.

The performances in this movie are absolutely riveting from start to finish. All of the actors give performances as if this is the real mumbo jumbo here. Standing out in all of the glory: Laura Dern as Miss Riley. This very well may be Academy award material if the judges can remember back to the beginning of the year when this film is released.

The characters are also extremely well developed. Not only to the filmmakers give clear, apparent reason why Homer is interested in the subject, but they also explain to the audience how they are succeeding in their studding of rocketry. We clearly understand all of the characters' motives and beliefs, especially the father, who is bent over on everlasting tradition.

The film, unfortunately, loses some of its momentum at mid-point because of a silly, recycled romantic sub-plot involving Homer's love interest and how his brother stole her from him. This type of this is becoming so awfully common in high-school movies, not that this film is aimed at high-schoolers. The actors stare at each other mindlessly, like the are in a trance. I put up with it without complaining in 1997's "Inventing the Abbots," but I have had just about enough this.

But that is just a minor complaint. With an authentic looking time period, cinematography worth an Oscar and clips of the real life Homer and friends at the end, whom all hit it big with their dreams, especially Homer, this is the first great film of 1999.