Every year during the holidays, there is one topic of great debate: Is Die Hard actually a Christmas movie? This question typically stirs passionate discussions among film enthusiasts, and with the 1988 action film starring Bruce Willis, it’s easy to see why. Directed by John McTiernan, the movie follows New York City policeman John McClane as he battles terrorists led by Alan Rickman’s Hans Gruber during Christmas Eve.
The conversation around Die Hard being classified as a Christmas movie is multifaceted, with both supporters and detractors passionately arguing their points. Let’s break down the cases for and against the holiday label.
The Case For Die Hard as a Christmas Movie
Supporters of Die Hard's status as a Christmas movie point out several key details. For starters, the entire film is set during Christmas Eve, where John McClane has traveled to Los Angeles to reconcile with his estranged wife, Holly, during her office holiday party at the Nakatomi Corporation. This fundamental plot device is the first pillar of the Christmas argument, along with ample holiday music featured throughout the soundtrack, including classic tunes like 'Let It Snow' and 'Winter Wonderland', as well as Run DMC's 'Christmas in Hollis.'
Screenwriter Steven E. de Souza has weighed in on this debate, emphasizing the movie’s connection to Christmas essence. He argues, "The movie begins at a Christmas party, and the purpose of the party is to attempt a reconciliation between a man and wife whose marriage is in trouble." He also notes the reference of Christmas by Hans Gruber when he states, "It's Christmas, Theo. It's the time of miracles."
Added to these elements is the Christmas imagery strewn throughout the film. Decorations adorning the Nakatomi Plaza, festive gift-wrapping tape cleverly utilized by McClane, and the presence of Christmas presents, cement the idea of Die Hard embracing the holiday spirit. Snow even falls at the movie's conclusion, something quite uncommon for Los Angeles.
From the viewer's perspective, its popularity during the holiday season is telling. Die Hard remains one of the most-watched films during this time, placing it alongside the more traditional holiday films like The Santa Clause and Miracle on 34th Street. This frequency of viewing among families during the holidays suggests it has earned its place among the festive films.
The Case Against Die Hard as a Christmas Movie
On the other hand, critics of the idea assert the contrary. They argue Die Hard does not fulfill the traditional characteristics needed to be categorized as a Christmas movie. Among their strongest points is the film's original theatrical release date of July 1988. This fact alone solidifies the belief for many skeptics who claim the film is simply set during Christmas rather than being thematic of the season.
According to film critic John Serba, "If Die Hard is a Christmas movie, then any movie set at Christmas is a Christmas movie," referencing other popular action films like Lethal Weapon and Iron Man 3 as examples. Director John McTiernan supports this view as well, admitting the holiday setting was never intended to forge the film as explicitly festive. He revealed, "We hadn't intended it to be a Christmas movie, but the joy it brought became a surprise."
Perhaps one of the most definitive rejections of Die Hard's Christmas movie status came from Bruce Willis himself. At his 2018 Comedy Central Roast, he stated plainly, "Die Hard is not a Christmas movie. It's a goddamn Bruce Willis movie!" While he might have maintained this hard line initially, reports suggest his stance softened by 2022.
Nevertheless, other actors from the film, like Reginald VelJohnson, who played Sergeant Al Powell, firmly believe it is, stating, "It's about love, it's about giving, it's about friendship — all the things Christmas is about." This dichotomy among the cast adds another layer of interest to the debate.
Public Sentiment and Cultural Impact
20th Century Fox has even leveraged this discussion, sponsoring holiday trailers proclaiming Die Hard as 'The Greatest Christmas Story Ever Told,' claiming it has more Christmas songs than Home Alone and more Christmas trees than Miracle on 34th Street.
Regardless of where one stands on the 'Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?' debate, its significance as part of holiday conversation cannot be downplayed. It serves as both entertainment and thought-provoking dialogue, mixing holiday joy with action movie thrills.
Conclusion
So, is Die Hard a Christmas movie for you? The definition could hinge on individual perspectives—a characteristic seen broadly across various cultural traditions during the festive season. Perhaps the best outcome of this yearly debate is the joy it brings to families and friends, encouraging everyone to embrace differing opinions and preferences during this time of year.
