Directed by: Joe Johnston
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Laura Dern, Chris Cooper, Chris Owen
Trivia: Homer Hickam's father's name is actually Homer Hickam Sr.; in the movie, the father's name was changed to John. The assumption would be that the name was changed in the movie to avoid confusion between father and son.
Trivia: The title "October Sky" is an anagram of "Rocket Boys," the book on which the movie is based.
Continuity mistake: When Homer is walking to Snake Root, he has a rolling pin in his box. You can see the pin change positions in the box.
Principal Turner: Miss Riley, our job is to give these kids an education.
Miss Riley: Mmm-hmm.
Principal Turner: Not false hopes.
Miss Riley: False hopes? Do you want me to sit quiet, let 'em breathe in coal dust the rest of their life?
Principal Turner: Miss Riley, once in a while... a lucky one... will get out on a football scholarship. The rest of 'em work in the mines.
Miss Riley: How 'bout I believe in the unlucky ones? Hmm? I have to, Mister Turner, I'd go out of my mind.