• Release Date:
  July 27th, 1999
• Genre:
  Drama
• Format:
  DVD
• Original Aspect Ratio:
  2.35:1
• Disc Aspect Ratio:
  • 2.35:1 (Cinemascope)
  • 1.33:1 (Fullscreen)
• MPAA Rating:
  PG Parental guidance suggested
• Runtime:
  1 hour 48 minutes
• Studio:
  Universal Studios
• UPC:
  025192055720
• Number of Discs:
  1
• Disc Sides:
  1
• Production Year:
  1999

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, All Movie Guide

• Special Features
  • Spotlight on location
  • Production notes
  • Talent bios
  • Film highlights
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Universal web link

• Region
  1
• Languages
  • English
  • French
• Display Format
  • Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
  • Pan and Scan for TV
• Audio
  • Dolby Digital w/ sub-woofer channel
  • Dolby Digital Surround

• Chapters
  • Chapter List
  • 0. Chapter List
  • 1. The age of Sputnik [:21]
  • 2. The Coalwood boy [:15]
  • 3. To build a rocket [1:51]
  • 4. Cape Coalwood [6:12]
  • 5. Rocket roulette [:22]
  • 6. Splitting the sky [7:35]
  • 7. False hopes [1:06]
  • 8. Up in smoke [6:56]
  • 9. Valentine [:34]
  • 10. I won't shed a tear [7:17]
  • 11. A life that counts [1:57]
  • 12. Search for AUK 13 [3:35]
  • 13. Strike [2:23]
  • 14. Homer's in trouble [:38]
  • 15. The highest honor [5:08]
  • 16. This one's yours [2:10]
  • 17. Epilogue/titles [4:42]

• Menu
  • Main
  • Menu Group #1 with 19 chapter(s) covering 01:47:22
  • Stroke of genius
  • Video Options
  • Bonus Materials
  • Spotlight on location
  • Production notes
  • Cast and Filmmakers
  • Jake Gyllenhaal
  • Chris Cooper
  • William Lee Scott
  • Chris Owen
  • Chad Lindberg
  • Laura Dern
  • Joe Johnston
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Universal web links
  • Languages
  • Play