IMDb >
Die Hard (1988)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Watch it now at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsDie Hard (1988) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 71 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 9) |
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:
New York cop John McClane gives terrorists a dose of their own medicine as they hold hostages in an LA office building. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 4 Oscars.
Another 6 wins
&
2 nominations
See more »
NewsDesk:
(489 articles)
Brad Pitt tops gay poll
(From Hindustan Times - Celebrity. 30 July 2010, 8:02 AM, PDT)
Brad Pitt tops ‘Men Who Men Love’ poll
(From RealBollywood. 30 July 2010, 4:30 AM, PDT)
Sony Sets Wiseman For 'Total Recall' Redo
(From Deadline New York. 29 July 2010, 12:29 PM, PDT)
(From Hindustan Times - Celebrity. 30 July 2010, 8:02 AM, PDT)
Brad Pitt tops ‘Men Who Men Love’ poll
(From RealBollywood. 30 July 2010, 4:30 AM, PDT)
Sony Sets Wiseman For 'Total Recall' Redo
(From Deadline New York. 29 July 2010, 12:29 PM, PDT)
User Reviews:
A guy movie that is still fun to watch
See more (560 total) »
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Bruce Willis | ... | Officer John McClane | |
| Alan Rickman | ... | Hans Gruber | |
| Bonnie Bedelia | ... | Holly Gennaro McClane | |
| Alexander Godunov | ... | Karl | |
| Reginald VelJohnson | ... | Sgt. Al Powell (as Reginald Veljohnson) | |
| William Atherton | ... | Richard Thornburg | |
| Paul Gleason | ... | Deputy Police Chief Dwayne T. Robinson | |
| Hart Bochner | ... | Harry Ellis | |
| James Shigeta | ... | Joseph Yoshinobu Takagi | |
| Andreas Wisniewski | ... | Tony | |
| Clarence Gilyard Jr. | ... | Theo | |
| De'voreaux White | ... | Argyle | |
| Dennis Hayden | ... | Eddie | |
| Bruno Doyon | ... | Franco | |
| Joey Plewa | ... | Alexander |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
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-15 (DVD version) | 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) | 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:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Much of the script was improvised due to the constant screenplay tweaks that were being made during filming.See more »
Goofs:
Factual errors: Channel 9 (CB distress channel) is monitored by Radio Emergency Associated Communications Teams (REACT), not the police department. If someone were calling for help on Channel 9, they would talk to a REACT operator, who would then call the authorities. Either way, it would not be an FCC violation.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 »
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Episode #8.78" (2010)See more »
Soundtrack:
SKELETONSSee more »
FAQ
A Note Regarding SpoilersWhy exactly did Holly punch the TV reporter Dick Thornberg at the end?
Is this movie based on a book?
See more »
See more (560 total) »
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Die Hard (1988) See more »Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Live Free or Die Hard | Die Hard 2 | Die Hard: With a Vengeance | Face/Off | Hard Boiled |
|
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb top 250 movies | IMDb Action section |
| IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |



















So many things made this movie great.
This movie made Bruce Willis immortal. He soaks up this character so well, it was him. The wise cracking cop who is entertaining because he is sarcastically funny not uttering stupid catch phrases. He is a cop who looks like a normal guy, middle age, loosing some hair with wife problems. (no faked up pretty face with shaved chest and oiled muscles). He is cool without pretending to be cool. He manages to thwart the bad guys while barefoot, man that is a great twist.
The plot is great because it does not fall perfectly in line for the hero. He stumbles, gets stuck and survives only by last minute thinking. It has plenty of action without getting ridiculous.
And the bad guys are great, smart sinister and well acted.
It is one of those movies that could play every weekend and would still be watched. Is one of those top 10 movies every guy should own.
Die hard 2 was OK but not as good as the original, I wish they would have stopped after 2. Die Hard 3 is poor.