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 wrestling commentator is Jim Ross,he and Jerry Lawler are both commentators. They both appear in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
Trivia: In the film, Hurricane Carter is shown as having published a book called "The Sixteenth Round." This book, as well as parts of Sam Chaiton's (played in the film by Liev Schreiber) book "Lazarus and the Hurricane," is what the film is adapted from.
Trivia: Marilee Rush's "Angel of the Morning", featured in the film's soundtrack, was written by Angelina Jolie's uncle, Chip Taylor.
Trivia: Richard Farnsworth earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his portrayal as Alvin Straight. At the age of 79, Farnsworth was at the time the oldest person to be nominated for a Best Actor Oscar.
Trivia: Meryl Streep's role is the only performance for which Wes Craven directed an actor to an Academy Award nomination.