In this episode of Public History with Jake and Justin, we review one of our favorite movies about Sputnik, rocketry, coal mining, and West Virginia - the 1999 film "October Sky."
This year marks 25 years since the film came out and we thought it would be the perfect time to talk about this film. It tells the story of Homer Hickam, a teenager from a mining town in West Virginia who becomes interested in science and rockets after watching the Soviet satellite Sputnik fly over his hometown of Coalwood, West Virginia.
The film stars a young Jake Gyllenhaal in his first leading role, as well as Chris Cooper and Laura Dern.
In this episode we discuss:
The history behind the film October Sky
Our continued obsession with West Virginia and space
Why we both love this film from our childhood
How this film properly tells the story of mining communities and people who live there
And our Postscripts this week:
Justin - Kyle Larson attempts the double
Jake - Why the Indy 500 is one of the greatest sporting events in the world
