Based on 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, and eventually became a NASA scientist.
Videos
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Laura Dern as Miss Riley
Jake Gyllenhaal as Homer Hickam
Chris Owen as Quentin Wilson
Chris Cooper as John Hickam
William Lee Scott as Roy Lee
Chad Lindberg as O'Dell
Natalie Canerday as Elsie Hickam
Elya Baskin as Ike Bykovsky
Chris Ellis as Principal Turner
Scott Thomas as Jim Hickam
Randy Stripling as Leon Bolden
Courtney Cole-Fendley as Dorothy Platt
David Dwyer as Jake Mosby
Terry Loughlin as Mr. Dantzler
Kaili Hollister as Valentine Carmina
David Copeland as Coach Gainer
Don Henderson Baker as Jensen
Tom Kagy as Lenny
Donald Thorne as Trooper One
Justin Whitsett as Kid
Larry Rue as Neighbor
Neva Howell as Neighbor
Terry Nienhuis as Neighbor
Brady Coleman as Anderson
Rick Forrester as Roper
Terrence Gibney as Basil Thorpe
Doug Swander as Corvette Guy
Keeli Hale Kimbro as Corvette Girl
Mark Jeffrey Miller as Vernon
Blaque Fowler as Reverend
Don Tilley as Rescue Worker
Rockford Davis as Chemistry Teacher
John Bennes as Doctor
Jonathan Fawbush as Barney
Larry Black as Fred Smith
Frank Schuler as Moonshiner
Tommy Smeltzer as Man at Mine
Charles Lawlor as Miner
Tom Turbiville as Miner
Ida Ginn as Quentin's Mom
Richard Lumpkin as Judge at Welch
Mark W. Johnson as Union Official
Don Taylor as Union Official
Don G. Campbell as Mr. Morris
Liz Byler as Ivy League Girl
Bradford Ryan Lund as Ivy League Boy
Frank Hoyt Taylor as Judge at Indy
Dave Hager as Head Judge
Ray Elder as Tom Webster
Andy Stahl as Jack Palmer
Joe Digaetano as Wernher Von Braun
Thomas Taylor as Miner in Elevator
David Ducey as Man in Crowd
Jenny Patterson as Nurse
O. Winston Link as Locomotive Engineer
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Lewis Colick Screenplay
Joe Johnston Director
Julie D'Antoni Production Office Assistant
Jeff Galpin Stunts
Russell Towery Stunts
John Fagan Stunts
Brenda K. Wachel Script Supervisor
Cliff Cudney Stunt Coordinator
Robert Vazquez Stunts
David Brian Martin Stunt Double
Terry Arthur Rigging Grip
Nancy Foy Casting
Mark Isham Original Music Composer
Barry Robison Production Design
Robert Dalva Editor
Chris L. Spellman Set Decoration
Fred Murphy Director of Photography
Lynn Barber Makeup Supervisor
Larry Franco Producer
Betsy Cox Costume Design
Tony Fanning Art Direction
Leigh Ann Yandle Makeup Artist
Homer H. Hickam Jr. Book
Marc Sternberg Executive Producer
Peter Cramer Executive Producer
Julie Callihan Makeup Artist
Charles Gordon Producer
Mike Smith Stunts
Zane Weiner Unit Production Manager
Betsy Magruder First Assistant Director
Jonathan McGarry Second Assistant Director
Gloria Belz Key Makeup Artist
Susan Mills Key Hair Stylist
Jim Mitchell Visual Effects Supervisor
Andrew Menzies Assistant Art Director
Mark S. Miller Visual Effects Producer
Howell Gibbens Supervising Sound Editor
Tom Carlson Music Editor
Beka Wilson Hairstylist
Alan Hook Set Designer
Michealle Vanderpool Hairstylist
Joe Digaetano Special Effects Supervisor
Mary H. Ellis Production Sound Mixer
Bill 'Splat' Johnson Special Effects Makeup Artist