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Die Hard (1988)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
15 July 1988 (USA)
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Tagline:
It will blow you through the back wall of the theater! 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
Awards:
Nominated for 4 Oscars.
Another 6 wins
&
2 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(248 articles)
Joel Silver Updates Lobo and Other Movies in Development
(From ReelzChannel. 22 November 2009, 12:10 PM, PST)
The Flickcast – Episode 32: Eclipse
(From The Flickcast. 18 November 2009, 9:00 AM, PST)
(From ReelzChannel. 22 November 2009, 12:10 PM, PST)
The Flickcast – Episode 32: Eclipse
(From The Flickcast. 18 November 2009, 9:00 AM, PST)
User Comments:
An influential action film blessed with great performances and state-of-the-art thrills.
more (545 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Bruce Willis | ... | Officer John McClane |
 | Bonnie Bedelia | ... | Holly Gennaro McClane |
 | Reginald VelJohnson | ... | Sgt. Al Powell (as Reginald Veljohnson) |
| Paul Gleason | ... | Deputy Police Chief Dwayne T. Robinson |
| De'voreaux White | ... | Argyle |
 | William Atherton | ... | Richard Thornburg |
 | Hart Bochner | ... | Harry Ellis |
| James Shigeta | ... | Joseph Yoshinobu Takagi |
 | Alan Rickman | ... | Hans Gruber |
| Alexander Godunov | ... | Karl |
| Bruno Doyon | ... | Franco |
| Andreas Wisniewski | ... | Tony |
| Clarence Gilyard Jr. | ... | Theo |
| Joey Plewa | ... | Alexander |
 | Lorenzo Caccialanza | ... | Marco |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
131 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) |
Dolby (35 mm prints)
Certification:
USA:R (certificate #29160) |
Peru:14 |
Argentina:16 |
Canada:13+ (Quebec) |
Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) (re-rating) (2001) |
Canada:AA (Ontario) (re-rating) (2001) |
Canada:R (Manitoba) |
Canada:R (Nova Scotia/Ontario) (original rating) |
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:15 (2007) |
UK:18 (1988) |
West Germany:18 (original rating) |
India:A |
South Africa:16LV |
Italy:VM14 |
New Zealand:M |
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:
In the conversations between Officer McClane (Bruce Willis) and Sgt. Powell, there are many references to "Roy Rogers" (e.g. McClane addressing Powell as Roy and shouting to the terrorist, "Happy Trails", Roy Roger's popular TV theme song). However, the "Yippee i-oh-----" to Hans, which references a well known line from the standard Country Pop hit "Ghost Riders In The Sky", is attributed more to 'Gene Autry' than to Roy Rogers. This was the title song, and a single by Gene from his feature Riders in the Sky (1949). Actually, Autry bought the rights to the song from composer Stan Jones, a friend and Forest Ranger, before using it in his film.
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Goofs:
Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Theo and Karl first enter the Plaza Lobby, and Karl shoots the security guard, Theo says into his walkie-talkie "Okay we're in!". The next shot shows Heinrich in the truck in the basement car park replying but nothing is heard.
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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.
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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.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Analog Hero in a Digital World: Making of 'Live Free or Die Hard' (2007) (V)
more
Soundtrack:
Jingle Bells
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FAQ
In what year is Die Hard set?Is this movie based on a novel?
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
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more (545 total)
Message Boards
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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 |
Exhilarating, thrill to-the-moment joyride that will have you cheering! Tough New York City cop, John McClane (Bruce Willis) travels to Los Angeles on an invitation by a powerful corporate leader to celebrate at a Christmas Eve Party, where McClane's estranged wife (Bonnie Bedella) is attending. This was supposed to be a peaceful, joyous occasion, but before McClane could reconcile with his wife,internationally based terrorists lead by Hans Gouber (Alan Rickman, in a terrific performance) and his assistant (the late Alexander Godunov in a fine supporting role) hijack the tall skyscraper. Several hostages are killed, and the police and FBI have been called in to negotiate.
What follows is a non-stop spectacle of stunts, explosions, and amazing action cheorography. Hans Gouber has kept several of the patrons hostage, and he assumed only too much that he had tied all the loose ends. However, Gouber and his mercenaries have not counted on McClane to intervene on the action! The stakes are rising though...as McClane's wife is among one of several hostages captured at this moment.
Don't count McClane out yet!
DIE HARD is a one-of-kind action movie that has a breathtaking pace and offers plenty of wits between McClane and Gouber. Bruce Willis gives an excellent performance as McClane, the ordinary guy who has entered the wrong scenario at the right time. Alan Rickman made a terrifying villian, Hans Gouber. Bonnie Bedella was annoying but hysterical as a wiseacre ex-wife turned hostage. The direction by John McTieran (PREDATOR, THE LAST ACTION HERO) was not short of being superb and first class.
DIE HARD is one action packed movie that offers thrills, excitement, and plenty of fast paced humor and wisecracks from Willis. The action is fast and furious, and the film pulls enough punches to keep the energy flowing! DIE HARD is simply one of the most cinematic action masterpieces ever. It is often a rarity to see such a white knuckle adventure that keeps you on the edge of the seat throughout the entire film. Bravo!
RATING: ***1/2 out of ****.