October Sky came to audiences in the late 1990s. The film is based on a true story and follows a group of young men in rural 1950s West Virginia who take an interest in rocketry. The film is praised by many fans, and October Sky is one of star Jake Gyllenhaal's highest-rated movies.
Audiences might call the film an emotional drama featuring several spirited performances. Fans might wonder how true to life the movie is and what elements came together to bring the story to film.
The Title Is An Anagram
Some audiences perhaps don't know that October Sky is based on the memoir from Homer H. Hickam Jr., first published as Rocket Boys. The movie follows Hickam's true story, but the original title had to be changed for the movie.
The title of the movie was changed to October Sky, an anagram of Rocket Boys, at the decision of the studio. AL revealed that Universal Studios thought the original title wouldn't appeal to female-identifying audiences over 30.
It Was Shot In Tennessee
The true story of Homer Hickam and the rocket boys occurred in Coalwood, West Virginia, and the film takes place there. However, fans might be surprised to know most of the movie was filmed elsewhere.
Coalwood's official website revealed that filming actually began in Petros, Tennessee where massive sets were built for the coal mining sequences.
Homer Hickam's Dad Had A Different Name
October Sky is one of Chris Cooper's highest-rated movies. He plays John Hickam, Homer's father. Their tumultuous relationship makes for some of the most emotional scenes in the movie.
Fans might be interested to know that in real life, Homer's father is named Homer Hickam, making Homer's full name Homer Hickam Jr., unlike the characters in the film.
Tornadoes Delayed Filming
Fans of October Sky might say that the scenery of the movie gives it a lasting impression. Audiences see the bleak grey sky blanketing the events of the film, underscoring the challenges Homer faces. AL revealed that the weather in Tenessee made filming difficult.
Natalie Canerday, who plays Homer's mom Elsie, said she was supposed to work for less than a month but that time frame was stretched to five because of weather. She is quoted saying, "It rained or snowed or sleeted or tornadoed. It wreaked havoc and we ran out of interiors we could shoot."
Elsie Made It To Myrtle Beach In Real Life
Perhaps one of the most emotionally charged moments of October Sky comes when issues within Homer's family come to a head. Homer argues with his father John, while John's stubbornness pushes his wife Elsie away.
In the film, Elsie threatens to leave her husband and escape to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Legacy revealed the real-life Elsie Gardener Hickam spent her last days in Garden City, South Carolina, an ocean-side town ten miles down the coast from Myrtle Beach.
Over 2000 Extras Appear
October Sky showcases the talents of a relatively small group of main actors. However, fans of the movie know it presents a huge production with hundreds of people involved.
Audiences might be shocked to know that over 2,000 extras were used in the movie. Coalwood reported that they were dirtied to look like real coal miners and given time-fitting prop lunchboxes to show the town's massive coal miner population.
Gyllenhaal Was Age-Appropriate
Perhaps Jake Gyllenhaal's most likable character, October Sky's Homer Hickam showcases the accomplishments of the man he is based on. Producers of the film appear to have wanted to be as true to life as possible.
During filming, Gyllenhall was 17 years old. His age is accurate to Homer Hickam Jr.'s during the time of the events of the film.
The Film Was Released On Homer Hickam Jr.'s Birthday
Rocket Boys was released about a year before October Sky came to audiences when Homer Hickam Jr. was 55 years old. When the film version was released, it came at a special time.
Homer Hickam Jr. was born on February 19th, 1943, while October Sky premiered on February 19th, 1999, on Hickam Jr.'s 56th birthday.
Miss Riley Attended The Final Launch In Real Life
October Sky is one of Laura Dern's highest-rated movies. She plays Miss Freida J. Riley, Homer's science teacher who supports him through his endeavors in rocketry.
At the end of the film, Miss Riley is too sick to attend the final launch of the rocket boys. AL revealed that the real Miss Riley did attend the last launch, although she died prematurely in 1969 of Hodgkin's disease.