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Die Hard (1988)
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Overview
User Rating:
Your Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
15 July 1988 (USA)
See more »
Tagline:
It will blow you through the back wall of the theater! See more »
Plot:
John McClane, officer of the NYPD, tries to save wife Holly Gennaro and several others, taken hostage by German terrorist Hans Gruber during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Awards:
Nominated for 4 Oscars.
Another 6 wins
&
2 nominations
See more »
NewsDesk:
(1996 articles)
Up All Night: 9 of the Longest Nights in Movies
(From NextMovie. 26 February 2013, 11:00 AM, PST)
Weekend Box Office Report: ‘Identity Thief’ is Back at the Top
(From LatinoReview. 25 February 2013, 6:52 AM, PST)
Doctor Who: 10 Guest Stars We’d Love To See
(From Obsessed with Film. 25 February 2013, 1:56 AM, PST)
(From NextMovie. 26 February 2013, 11:00 AM, PST)
Weekend Box Office Report: ‘Identity Thief’ is Back at the Top
(From LatinoReview. 25 February 2013, 6:52 AM, PST)
Doctor Who: 10 Guest Stars We’d Love To See
(From Obsessed with Film. 25 February 2013, 1:56 AM, PST)
User Reviews:
Action-packed thrill ride that could be the best in the genre!!!
See more (621 total) »
Cast
(in credits order) (verified as complete)
Directed by | |||
| John McTiernan | |||
Writing credits(WGA) | ||
| Roderick Thorp | (novel "Nothing Lasts Forever") | |
| Jeb Stuart | (screenplay) and | |
| Steven E. de Souza | (screenplay) | |
Produced by | |||
| Charles Gordon | .... | executive producer | |
| Lawrence Gordon | .... | producer | |
| Beau Marks | .... | associate producer (as Beau E.L. Marks) | |
| Joel Silver | .... | producer | |
Original Music by | |||
| Michael Kamen | |||
Cinematography by | |||
| Jan de Bont | (as Jan De Bont) | ||
Film Editing by | |||
| John F. Link | |||
| Frank J. Urioste | |||
Casting by | |||
| Jackie Burch | |||
Production Design by | |||
| Jackson De Govia | (as Jackson DeGovia) | ||
Art Direction by | |||
| John R. Jensen | |||
Set Decoration by | |||
| Philip Leonard | (as Phil M. Leonard) | ||
Costume Design by | |||
| Marilyn Vance | (as Marilyn Vance-Straker) | ||
Makeup Department | |||
| Paul Abascal | .... | hair stylist | |
| Wes Dawn | .... | makeup artist | |
| Scott H. Eddo | .... | makeup supervisor | |
| Jim Kail | .... | makeup artist | |
| Josée Normand | .... | hair stylist: Bruce Willis (as Josee Normand) | |
Production Management | |||
| Beau Marks | .... | unit production manager (as Beau E.L. Marks) | |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director | |||
| Paula Foster | .... | dga trainee | |
| Michael Alan Kahn | .... | second second assistant director | |
| Beau Marks | .... | second unit director (as Beau E.L. Marks) | |
| Terry Miller | .... | second assistant director (as Terry Miller Jr.) | |
| Benjamin Rosenberg | .... | first assistant director | |
Sound Department | |||
| Vanessa Theme Ament | .... | foley artist (as Vanessa Ament) | |
| George H. Anderson | .... | supervising dialogue editor (as George Anderson) | |
| Kevin Barlia | .... | assistant dialogue editor | |
| Ron Bartlett | .... | foley editor | |
| Don J. Bassman | .... | sound re-recording mixer (as Don Bassman) | |
| Destiny Borden | .... | assistant sound editor | |
| Sherrie Bayer Burke | .... | assistant adr editor | |
| Kevin E. Carpenter | .... | adr mixer (as Kevin Carpenter) | |
| Kevin F. Cleary | .... | sound re-recording mixer | |
| Phyllis Drury | .... | machine operator | |
| Stephen Hunter Flick | .... | sound effects (as Stephen H. Flick) | |
| David W. Gray | .... | stereo sound consultant: Dolby (as David Gray) | |
| Robin Harlan | .... | foley artist | |
| Craig Heath | .... | sound recordist | |
| Dennis Jones | .... | boom operator | |
| Cindy Marty | .... | dialogue editor | |
| Rick Mitchell | .... | foley editor | |
| Oscar Mitt | .... | assistant sound editor | |
| Al Overton Jr. | .... | sound mixer (as Al Overton) | |
| Richard Overton | .... | sound re-recording mixer | |
| Todd Overton | .... | cable person | |
| Matthew Peerce | .... | apprentice adr editor | |
| Robert Renga | .... | sound recordist | |
| Lisa M. Risen | .... | apprentice adr editor | |
| Dennis Rogers | .... | adr recordist | |
| Jeff Rosen | .... | dialogue editor | |
| Hank Salerno | .... | supervising adr editor | |
| Norman B. Schwartz | .... | post-production dialogue | |
| Catherine Shorr | .... | sound effects editor | |
| Richard Shorr | .... | sound effects | |
| James Simcik | .... | adr editor (as James R. Simcik) | |
| Ronald Sinclair | .... | adr editor | |
| David E. Stone | .... | sound effects editor (as David Stone) | |
| Lee Tinkham | .... | foley mixer | |
| Bill Voigtlander | .... | adr editor | |
| Rosemarie Wheeler | .... | assistant adr editor | |
| Ezra Dweck | .... | sound effects recordist (uncredited) | |
| Bill Henderson | .... | sound re-recording engineer (uncredited) | |
| Richard Shorr | .... | supervising sound editor (uncredited) | |
Visual Effects by | |||
| Yarek Alfer | .... | model maker: Boss (as Jarek Alfer) | |
| Maura Alvarez | .... | animation production assistant: Boss | |
| Brent Boates | .... | visual effects art director: Boss | |
| Richard Chronister | .... | model electronics: Boss | |
| Kevin Clark | .... | optical line-up: Boss | |
| Albert Cox | .... | optical supervisor 'Die Hard': Boss (as Al Cox) | |
| Philip Crescenzo | .... | chief electronics engineer: Boss Film | |
| Richard Edlund | .... | visual effects producer | |
| Alan K.M. Faucher | .... | stand-by model maker: Boss (as Alan Faucher) | |
| Donald Fly | .... | chief financial officer: Boss Film (as Donald R. Fly) | |
| Meg Freeman | .... | animation production assistant: Boss | |
| Kento Gebo | .... | model maker: Boss (as Kent Gebo) | |
| Ron Gress | .... | model painter: Boss | |
| Robert L. Johnston | .... | model effects key man: Boss (as Robert Johnston) | |
| Larry Jolly | .... | model helicopter consultant: Boss | |
| Kelly Kerby | .... | stage assistant: Boss | |
| Lisa Krepela | .... | animation production assistant: Boss | |
| Bruce MacRae | .... | model maker: Boss | |
| Pat McClung | .... | chief model maker: Boss (as Patrick McClung) | |
| Dennis Michelson | .... | visual effects editor: Boss | |
| Bill Neil | .... | director of photography: Boss (as William Neil) | |
| Clint Palmer | .... | camera operator: Boss Film Studios (as Clinton Palmer) | |
| Samuel E. Recinos | .... | technical animation supervisor: Boss (as Samuel Recinos) | |
| Chris Regan | .... | optical department supervisor: Boss | |
| Milius Romyn | .... | model construction foreman: Boss | |
| Paul Sabourin | .... | model effects: Boss | |
| Suzie Schneider | .... | model maker: Boss (as Suzy Schneider) | |
| Dennis Schultz | .... | model maker: Boss | |
| David Schwartz | .... | chief miniature moldmaker: Boss | |
| James Sleeper | .... | optical camera operator: Boss | |
| Mark Stetson | .... | model shop supervisor: Boss | |
| Michael Van Himbergen | .... | visual effects coordinator | |
| Garry Waller | .... | special project supervisor: Boss | |
| Debra Wolff | .... | assistant visual effects editor: Boss | |
| Peter Yanovitch | .... | optical line-up: Boss | |
| Dana Yuricich | .... | model maker: Boss | |
| Matthew Yuricich | .... | chief matte artist: Boss | |
| James G. Anka | .... | model maker (uncredited) | |
| Wayne Baker | .... | first assistant camera operator: Boss Films (uncredited) | |
| Mike Chambers | .... | visual effects coordinator (uncredited) | |
Casting Department | |||
| Ferne Cassel | .... | casting associate | |
| Carl Joy | .... | extras casting | |
Costume and Wardrobe Department | |||
| Barry Francis Delaney | .... | costume supervisor (as Barry Delaney) | |
| Charles Mercuri | .... | costumer: Bruce Willis | |
| Barbara Siebert | .... | set costumer: women (as Barbara Siebert Bolticoff) | |
| Victoria Snow | .... | additional costumer | |
| Michael Voght | .... | set costumer: men (as Michael J. Voght) | |
Editorial Department | |||
| Derek Brechin | .... | assistant editor (as Derek G. Brechin) | |
| Gary Burritt | .... | negative cutter | |
| Bryan H. Carroll | .... | assistant editor (as Bryan Carroll) | |
| Gregory M. Gerlich | .... | assistant editor | |
| Dale E. Grahn | .... | color timer (as Dale Grahn) | |
| Jeff Gullo | .... | second assistant editor | |
| Bob Hagans | .... | color timer | |
| Paul Jenson | .... | negative developer: Boss | |
| Edward Malone | .... | second assistant editor | |
| Kelly Irvine | .... | assistant editor (uncredited) | |
Music Department | |||
| Bruce Babcock | .... | additional orchestrator | |
| Chris Boardman | .... | additional orchestrator | |
| Walt Borchers | .... | score engineer | |
| Christopher Brooks | .... | supervising music editor | |
| Terry Brown | .... | score engineer | |
| Chuck Garsha | .... | score engineer | |
| Philip Giffin | .... | additional orchestrator | |
| Michael Kamen | .... | conductor | |
| Stephen McLaughlin | .... | music producer (as Stephen E. McLaughlin) | |
| Armin Steiner | .... | score mixer | |
| Fiachra Trench | .... | additional orchestrator (as Fi Trench) | |
| Bruce Babcock | .... | composer: additional music (uncredited) | |
| Tom Boyd | .... | musician: oboe soloist (uncredited) | |
| James Thatcher | .... | musician: french horn (uncredited) | |
Transportation Department | |||
| Myra Hill | .... | transportation coordinator (as Myra L. Hill) | |
| Dean E. Mason | .... | transportation captain (as Dean Mason) | |
| James Nordberg | .... | transportation captain (as Jim Nordberg) | |
| Stanley R. Webber | .... | picture car coordinator (as Stanley Webber) | |
| Tim Sisson | .... | picture car mechanic (uncredited) | |
Other crew | |||
| Pamela Alessandrelli | .... | assistant: John Mctiernan | |
| Alex Algarin | .... | dubbing projectionist | |
| Brook Altman | .... | production assistant | |
| Bobby Bass | .... | special weapons training | |
| Susan Joy Beallor | .... | assistant: Joel Silver | |
| Dan Carroll | .... | location liaison | |
| Paul Chaleff | .... | special ceramic vessels | |
| Rick Chavez | .... | craft service | |
| Jack Crain | .... | knife designer and manufacturer (as Jack W. Crain) | |
| Keith Cubba | .... | trainer: Bruce Willis | |
| Jyllel Syage Dickerman | .... | assistant production accountant (as Jyllel Syage) | |
| Ken Dudderar | .... | precision cinetechnician: Boss | |
| Riley Kathryn Ellis | .... | production executive | |
| Robert Eyslee | .... | chief lighting tech: Boss | |
| Marilynn B. Frank | .... | first aid | |
| Art Fransen | .... | police technical advisor | |
| Elizabeth Galloway | .... | production coordinator | |
| Gary Goldman | .... | technical advisor: military (as L. Gary Goldman) | |
| Aaron J. Green | .... | model furnisher: butterfly wing bridge | |
| Rhonda C. Gunner | .... | video and graphics display: Video Image | |
| Alison Harstedt | .... | assistant production accountant | |
| Richard E. Hollander | .... | video and graphics display: Video Image | |
| Deborah Johnson | .... | assistant: Bruce Willis | |
| K. Lenna Katich | .... | production accountant (as K. Lenna Kunkel) | |
| Tony Kerum | .... | caterer | |
| Carol Land | .... | assistant: John Mctiernan | |
| Clare Leavenworth | .... | assistant: Bruce Willis | |
| Andrew Lipschultz | .... | publicity coordinator | |
| Joel Marx | .... | location manager (as Joel B. Marx) | |
| Peter McKernan Sr. | .... | pilot (as Peter McKernan) | |
| Peter McKernan | .... | pilot (as Peter McKernan Jr.) | |
| Gregory L. McMurry | .... | video and graphics display: Video Image | |
| Kari Ann Messina | .... | production assistant | |
| Lisa Miller | .... | production assistant | |
| Chrissa Owens | .... | stage assistant: Boss | |
| Michael Papac | .... | weapons specialist | |
| Alan D. Purwin | .... | pilot (as Alan Purwin) | |
| Jeff Rand | .... | stage assistant: Boss | |
| Frank Reinhard | .... | production assistant | |
| Phil Robinson | .... | production assistant | |
| Ken H. Rosen | .... | location manager | |
| Annie Saunders | .... | assistant: Charles Gordon | |
| Shari Schneider | .... | assistant: Lawrence Gordon | |
| Antoinette Simmrin | .... | assistant location manager | |
| Tamara Smith | .... | production associate | |
| Ken Stone | .... | maintenance engineer | |
| Charles A. Tamburro | .... | pilot | |
| Michael Tamburro | .... | pilot | |
| Tony Tamburro | .... | pilot | |
| Dana Lynne Taylor | .... | production coordinator | |
| Kellett Tighe | .... | assistant: Lawrence Gordon | |
| Marion Tumen | .... | script supervisor | |
| Ladd Vance | .... | assistant: Joel Silver (as Ladd Rosenberg-Vance) | |
| Tod M. Volpe | .... | special ceramic vessels | |
| John C. Wash | .... | video and graphics display: Video Image | |
| Mark West | .... | design engineer: Boss | |
| Claire Wilson | .... | assistant: Richard Edlund, Boss Film Studios | |
| Maryjane Zelicskovics | .... | production accountant: Boss | |
| M. Rutledge McCall | .... | production assistant (uncredited) | |
Thanks | |||
| Dick Beving | .... | special thanks | |
| Patty Brewer | .... | special thanks | |
| Georgian Francisco | .... | special thanks | |
| Jim Gembala | .... | special thanks | |
| George Meehan | .... | special thanks | |
| Allen Pena | .... | special thanks | |
| Eli Tawil | .... | special thanks | |
Production Companies
- Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation (as Twentieth Century Fox) (presents)
- Gordon Company
- Silver Pictures
- Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation (1988) (USA) (theatrical)
- 20th Century Fox de Argentina (1988) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- 20th Century Fox of Germany (1988) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- Finnkino (1988) (Finland) (theatrical)
- 20th Century Fox (1989) (UK) (theatrical)
- CBS/Fox Home Video (1989) (USA) (VHS)
- CBS/Fox (1989) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Showtime (1989) (Finland) (VHS)
- CBS/Fox Video (1990) (Belgium) (VHS)
- Fox Network (1991) (USA) (TV)
- Fox Video (1994) (Netherlands) (VHS) (box set with "Die Hard 2")
- Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (1994) (Finland) (TV) (1996) (1999) (2001) (2006) (2007)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2000) (UK) (DVD)
- Egmont Entertainment (2000) (Finland) (DVD) (1-disc edition)
- Gativideo (2001) (Argentina) (DVD)
- Gativideo (2001) (Argentina) (VHS) (re-edited)
- FS Film (2002) (Finland) (DVD) (2-disc edition)
- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD) (2-disc special edition)
- FS Film (2007) (Finland) (DVD) (3-disc Die Hard Collection)
- FS Film (2007) (Finland) (DVD) (8-disc Die Hard Quadrilogy)
- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
- FS Film (2011) (Finland) (DVD) (4-disc Die Hard Quadrilogy)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (Brazil) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (Brazil) (VHS)
- CBS/Fox Home Video (19??) (New Zealand) (VHS) (original video release)
- Boss Film Studios
- Video Image (video and graphic displays)
- BT Industrial Supply expendables
- Central Casting extras casting
- DeLuxe Laboratories color
- Hadler Public Relations special thanks
- IVC digital mastering
- On Tour Productions transportation services
- Panavision cameras and lenses
- R/Greenberg Associates additional optical effects
- R/Greenberg Associates titles
- Segue Music music editing
- Varèse Sarabande score album released by (limited edition)
- Video Image display graphics
- Video Image video displays
Additional Details
Also Known As:
"Duro de matar" - Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay (imdb display title)
"Piège de cristal" - Canada (French title), France
"Smrtonosná past" - Czechoslovakia (imdb display title), Czechoslovakia (Czech title)
"Stirb langsam" - Austria, West Germany
"Πολύ Σκληρός για να Πεθάνει" - Greece
"Крепкий орешек" - Russia
"Умирай трудно" - Bulgaria (Bulgarian title)
"Aksjon skyskraper" - Norway (alternative title)
"Assalto ao Arranha-Céus" - Portugal
"Die Hard" - Japan (English title)
"Die Hard - Trappola di cristallo" - Italy (DVD title)
"Die hard - vain kuolleen ruumiini yli" - Finland (imdb display title)
"Drágán add az életed!" - Hungary (imdb display title)
"Duro de Matar" - Brazil
"Greu de Ucis" - Romania (imdb display title)
"Greu de ucis" - Romania (imdb display title)
"Jungla de cristal" - Spain
"Med dödlig påföljd" - Finland (Swedish title) (imdb display title)
"Poly skliros gia na pethanei" - Greece (transliterated ISO-LATIN-1 title)
"Smrtonosná pasca" - Czechoslovakia (Slovak title)
"Szklana pulapka" - Poland
"Trappola di cristallo" - Italy (imdb display title)
"Umri muški" - Serbia
"Umri muški" - Croatia
"Umri muski" - Yugoslavia (Serbian title)
"Umri pokoncno" - Slovenia (imdb display title)
"Vain kuolleen ruumiini yli" - Finland (theatrical title)
"Visa hing" - Estonia
"Zor ölüm" - Turkey (Turkish title)
See more »
"Piège de cristal" - Canada (French title), France
"Smrtonosná past" - Czechoslovakia (imdb display title), Czechoslovakia (Czech title)
"Stirb langsam" - Austria, West Germany
"Πολύ Σκληρός για να Πεθάνει" - Greece
"Крепкий орешек" - Russia
"Умирай трудно" - Bulgaria (Bulgarian title)
"Aksjon skyskraper" - Norway (alternative title)
"Assalto ao Arranha-Céus" - Portugal
"Die Hard" - Japan (English title)
"Die Hard - Trappola di cristallo" - Italy (DVD title)
"Die hard - vain kuolleen ruumiini yli" - Finland (imdb display title)
"Drágán add az életed!" - Hungary (imdb display title)
"Duro de Matar" - Brazil
"Greu de Ucis" - Romania (imdb display title)
"Greu de ucis" - Romania (imdb display title)
"Jungla de cristal" - Spain
"Med dödlig påföljd" - Finland (Swedish title) (imdb display title)
"Poly skliros gia na pethanei" - Greece (transliterated ISO-LATIN-1 title)
"Smrtonosná pasca" - Czechoslovakia (Slovak title)
"Szklana pulapka" - Poland
"Trappola di cristallo" - Italy (imdb display title)
"Umri muški" - Serbia
"Umri muški" - Croatia
"Umri muski" - Yugoslavia (Serbian title)
"Umri pokoncno" - Slovenia (imdb display title)
"Vain kuolleen ruumiini yli" - Finland (theatrical title)
"Visa hing" - Estonia
"Zor ölüm" - Turkey (Turkish title)
See more »
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
131 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)
Certification:
USA:R (certificate #29160) | Peru:14 | Argentina:16 (original rating) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) (re-rating) (2001) | Canada:AA (Ontario) (re-rating) (2001) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia/Ontario) (original rating) | Canada:R (Manitoba) | Iceland:16 | West Germany:16 (cut) (video premiere) | Finland:K-16 (1989) (cut) | Finland:K-16 (2000) (uncut) | Finland:K-18 (1988) (uncut) | Malaysia:18SG | Brazil:14 | Philippines:R-18 | UK:18 (1988) | West Germany:18 (original rating) | India:A | South Africa:16LV | Italy:VM14 | New Zealand:M | Argentina:13 (re-rating) | Canada:14+ (TV rating) | Portugal:M/12 (Qualidade) | UK:15 (re-rating) (2008) | Australia:M | Ireland:18 | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Norway:18 (original rating) | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:18 | Sweden:15 | France:U | Hong Kong:IIB | Japan:PG-12 | Spain:18
Filming Locations:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
In the German version the names and backgrounds of the German-born terrorists were changed into English forms (mostly into their British equivalents): Hans Gruber became Jack Gruber, Karl became Charlie, Heinrich turned into Henry etc... the new background depicted them as radical Irish activists having gone freelance and for profit rather than ideals. (This led to some odd plot holes in this movie and continuity problems with Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995) where Gruber is remembered as having been German.) This was because German terrorism, especially by the Rote Armee Fraktion (the Red Army Faction), was still considered a sensitive issue by the German government in the 1980s.See more »
Goofs:
Continuity: When John lowers himself into the elevator shaft from the strap attached to the tactical weapon, the room he enters from is well-lit. When the shot alternates to the view from the shaft, that room is dark.See more »
Quotes:
[first lines]
Businessman:You don't like flying, do you?
John McClane:What gives you that idea?
Businessman:You wanna know the secret to surviving air travel? After you get where you're going, take off your shoes and your socks then walk around on the rug bare foot and make fists with your toes.
John McClane:Fists with your toes?
Businessman:I know, I know, it sounds crazy. Trust me, I've been doing it for nine years. Yes sir, better than a shower and a hot cup of coffee.
John McClane:Okay.
[the businessman sees John's gun]
John McClane:It's okay, I'm a cop. Trust me, I've been doing this for eleven years.
See more »
Businessman:You don't like flying, do you?
John McClane:What gives you that idea?
Businessman:You wanna know the secret to surviving air travel? After you get where you're going, take off your shoes and your socks then walk around on the rug bare foot and make fists with your toes.
John McClane:Fists with your toes?
Businessman:I know, I know, it sounds crazy. Trust me, I've been doing it for nine years. Yes sir, better than a shower and a hot cup of coffee.
John McClane:Okay.
[the businessman sees John's gun]
John McClane:It's okay, I'm a cop. Trust me, I've been doing this for eleven years.
See more »
Soundtrack:
Jingle BellsSee more »
FAQ
What kind of handgun does John McClane use in the movie?Why does Karl seem to not understand Hans talking to him in German, during the shooting at glass scene? Isn't Karl German?
Who are the 'terrorists'?
See more »
See more (621 total) »
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Quite possibly the best modern action movie since the classic "Dirty Harry", "Die Hard" simply rocks. Based on the interesting novel "Nothing Lasts Forever" by Roderick Thorp, "Die Hard" made headlines for its combination of a terrific cast, excellent script, amazing action sequences and superb direction. Headed up by screen favorite Bruce Willis (The Sixth Sense), "Die Hard" also features the talented Alan Rickman (Galaxy Quest) and Bonnie Bedelia (Needful Things). Directed by action veteran John McTiernan, the mastermind behind such action spectaculars as "Predator", "The Hunt For Red October", "The Thomas Crown Affair" (1999), and "Die Hard With A Vengeance".
In the role that shot him to stardom, Willis plays Detective John McClane, a hard-hitting cop from New York on Christmas Vacation in LA. He is there to visit his wife (whom he is separated from), Holly Gennaro, who recently got a great job working for the Nakatomi corporation and has permanently moved to Los Angeles with their two children. John arrives at Nakatomi Plaza expecting a fun Christmas party and a relaxing night. Man was he wrong! A few minutes after getting settled, twelve gun-toting Eastern Europeans take the entire 30th floor hostage. The supposed terrorists are headed up by the brilliant megalomaniac Hans Gruber (Rickman), who actually wants the $640 million dollars inside the floor's vault. Somehow, McClane escapes upstairs armed only with a handgun and starts causing a ruckus, slowly hunting down each well-equipped thug.
"Die Hard" succeeds is because it presents every challenge McClane has to face realistically and clearly. As the tension mounts, the ordeals for John become increasingly harder. First, it's just a terrorist. Then a whole slew of them. Later, it's the NYPD and even the FBI! Director McTiernan gives the film a good pace and makes the film work by showing that John isn't superhuman; he only uses his brain more than his gun. Also, screenwriters Jeb Stuart (The Fugitive) & Steven E. De Souza (48 Hrs.) add touches of humor that lighten up the viewer and classic one-liners ("Yippy-Ki-Yay, !@#$") that ignite the screen. Their subplots actually add to the story instead of overcomplicating it, especially one featuring good cop Sgt. Al Powell (Rejinald VelJohnson of TV's "Family Matters").
Overall, this movie was awesome. Willis is very believable and has significant screen presence. Character development is superb, and even though Stuart and De Souza leave some loose ends untied - like how a man gets hung with a chain and still comes back for more - the film remains to be an action classic. Note to Parents: the nudity, drug use, continual profanity, and extreme violence would make this a bad choice for kids under 13. Otherwise, see "Die Hard" ASAP! Overall Rating: *** Worth 9 out of 10 dollars ***