Why Die Hard Is the Ultimate 80s Action Movie You Need to Watch

Exploding into the 80s, Die Hard redefined action movies with wit, grit, and unforgettable moments. Discover why it’s a holiday favorite and cult classic.

It was the late 80s, hair was bigger than life, and movies were even bigger. Hollywood simply couldn’t get enough of tough guys blowing everything up. Then, in 1988, Die Hard changed everything. All of a sudden, action movies were more than just muscles and explosions, they were chocked full of heart, humor, and charm.

Sure, most people would look back and think that Die Hard was just another action flick. After all, you had Bruce Willis running around a skyscraper with a gun. But, there is so much more to the movie than meets the eye. Sure, there were bad guys in sharp suits and lots of explosions, but it was a love letter to the obsession decade’s obsession with grit and glamour. And the craziest part of all is that it was a holiday movie.

The film was a box office hit. And, it completely redefined the genre. Suddenly, action heroes no longer needed to be invincible machines like Stallone or Schwarzenegger. Instead, they could be relatable, flawed, and human. It is what made Edie such a magical time for movies. Back then, they weren’t afraid to take risks, mix up genres, and create unforgettable storylines.

Basic Information

Here’s the quick lowdown:

• Title: Die Hard
• Release Date: July 15, 1988
• Director: John McTiernan
• Main Cast:
  • Bruce Willis as John McClane
  • Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber
  • Bonnie Bedelia as Holly Gennaro McClane
• Genre: Action/Thriller
• Runtime: 132 minutes
• Box Office: $140 million worldwide
• Home Video Release: 1989 (VHS), followed by DVD, and Blu-ray

Die Hard Plot Summary

It’s Christmas Eve, and John McClane who is a detective at the NYPD, is visiting his estranged wife in Los Angeles. She is completely focused on her career and he is just plain stubborn. Nevertheless, he decides to show up to her Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza, where his heart is set on patching things up.

And then, as all great action flicks go, everything just blows up. A group of charming and sophisticated terrorists take over the building. Their whole plan is to disguise a heist as a hostage situation. But, to their surprise, John McClane, who was somehow barefoot at this time, took them on with a knife and a little bit of wit. He quickly became the only thing that stood between the hostages and complete disaster.

The entire storyline after that, is a nonstop roller coaster of suspense, action, and iconic one-liners. As McClane makes his way through the building via the ductwork, he is constantly dodging a barrage of bullets, and trading verbal jabs with Gruber, the leader of the terrorists. In the end, the film, which was set against the backdrop of Christmas decorations and glistening shattered glass, was the ultimate cat-and-mouse game.

Cultural Impact

Before the release of Die Hard most action movies were dominated by one-dimensional heroes. There was a never-ending supply of mindless explosions. Yet, this film changed everything. All of a sudden, you have a hero who is vulnerable, gets hurt, and even doubts his abilities. Yet, John McClane kept going because he had to.

Then there was the villain of the story. Hans Gruber, the leader of the terrorist group, was dead set on completing the heist no matter the cost. But, rather than the traditional cookie-cutter villain, he had charisma and menace. He would constantly quote Beowulf throughout the heist. And, he eventually set the gold standard for villains in action movies throughout the 90s and into the 2000s.

Then there were the iconic one-liners and catchphrases. Of course, the biggest of these was the instant classic, “Yippee-ki-yay, [you know the rest]!” and countless others. When coupled with the ingenious use of Christmas music, like “Ode to Joy”, you end up with a heart-pounding, fast-action, and suspenseful film that’s also a bit tested.

Die Hard resonated with audiences because it felt more realistic. John McClane wasn’t invincible. Rather, he bled, he limped throughout the scenes, and he screamed his way throughout the entire film. The movie was messy, it was gritty, and that just made us root for him even harder.

Production Background

An interesting fact, Bruce Willis wasn’t the first choice for John McClane. In fact, the role was originally offered to Schwarzenegger, Clint Eastwood, and Sylvester Stallone. But, they all turned the role down. So, they turned to Bruce Willis who was known at the time for his role in Moonlighting.

Then there was Hans Gruber who was played by Alan Rickman. This was actually Alan Rickman’s film debut. He appeared on set for the first time and simply owned it. He delivered an award-winning performance that is still celebrated today.

Naturally, the filming itself was not without challenges. The Nakatomi Plaza was actually Fox Plaza which is located in Los Angeles. At the time of the filming, the building was still under construction. Nevertheless, they used real explosions and practical stunts. So practical in fact, that Bruce Willis lost some of his hearing during one of the loud shootout scenes.

Nevertheless, their dedication to authenticity eventually paid off. It created an entire atmosphere that felt claustrophobic and tense. And, the final results were simply amazing. So much in fact, that it led to an entire series of films featuring John McClane.

The Reception and Legacy of Die Hard

It is without question that when Die Hard hit the theaters it was an immediate hit. Both the audiences as well as the critics fell in love with the film. And, it managed to rake in $140 million. At the time, that was considered a massive success. And, it became a defining moment in Bruce Willis’s career.

As a result, over the years, the film achieved a cult-like status. It has consistently ranked as one of the best action movies that has ever been made. And, every single Christmas the film reignites the debate as to whether the film is a Christmas movie or not.

Eventually, the film would go on to spawn four sequels. Although there was an attempt to recapture the magic of the original film, none of the sequels were able to reach that pinnacle. The film did, however, inspire countless parodies, homages, and even a spot in the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry.

Die Hard FAQ Section

Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?

Without a question, Die Hard is a true Christmas film. Yes, it has a lot of action and guns, and blowing people up. But, it was set on Christmas Eve, it features festive Christmas music, and it focuses on themes like family, and redemption.

Where can I watch Die Hard?

If you are like me, then you probably watched Die Hard in the theaters, or on VHS. But, in today’s day and age, you can still pick up a Blu-ray disc, or DVD in order to relive the 80s magic in full HD. The film is also available on many different streaming platforms.

Was the film based on a book?

Believe it or not, the film was actually based on a book by Roderick Thorp. The book, Nothing Lasts Forever was first published back in 1979. It only took nine years for it to be turned into a fast-paced action thriller.

What’s with the barefoot scenes?

You will probably notice that John McClane spends most of the movie without shoes. The reason he didn’t have any shoes on, was because he was given advice to remove the shoes in order to relieve jet lag. Of course, this is bad timing, because as soon as he took his shoes off, the terrorists took over the building.

Who played the terrorists?

Oddly enough, the terrorists were actually played by a mixture of seasoned actors and real-life dancers. Seriously, dancers played the roles of several terrorists. Of course, this added to the sophisticated vibe the director was looking for.

Key Takeaways

Die Hard isn’t just another action movie. Instead, it is a time capsule of the 80s. It includes everything that was great about the decade, from fashion to iconic one-liners. The film was smart, funny, and quotable. More importantly, it was a film that gave us a hero who was flawed. This was a refreshing change from the indestructible action stars of the previous era.

More than 30 years have passed since the initial release of Die Hard. Yet, its themes of family, resilience, and good old-fashioned ingenuity continue to resonate with audiences around the country. So, whether you are watching the film for the action, the humor, or even for the Christmas spirit, diehard is a must-see classic that will leave you screaming from the top of your lungs, “Yippee-ki-yay!”