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Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Alexander Godunov, Reginald VelJohnson ... see more see more... , William Atherton , Paul Gleason , De'voreaux White , Hart Bochner , James Shigeta , Robert Davi , Grand L. Bush , Clarence Gilyard Jr. , Selma Archerd , Cheryl Baker , Gerard Bonn , P. Randall Bowers , Rebecca Broussard , Lorenzo Caccialanza , Betty Carvalho , George Christy , Bruno Doyon , Rick Ducommun , Taylor Fry , Mark Goldstein , Stella Hall , Dennis Hayden , Diana James , David Katz , Matt Landers , Michele Laybourn , Al Leong , Robert Lesser , Kym Malin , Bill Marcus , Anthony Peck , Joey Plewa , Tracy Reiner , Mary Ellen Trainor , David Ursin , Wilhelm von Homburg , Andreas Wisniewski , Carmine Zozzora , Fred Lerner , Richard Parker , Gary Roberts , Scot Bennett , Hans Buhringer , Rick Cicetti , Terri Lynn Doss , Kate Finlayson , Jon E. Greene , Shanna Higgins , Bob A. Jennings , Noah Land , Bill Margolin , Shelley Pogoda , Bruce P. Schultz , Dustyn Taylor , Kip Waldo

It's Christmas time in L.A., and there's an employee party in progress on the 30th floor of the Nakatomi Corporation building. The revelry comes to a violent end when the partygoers are taken hostage ... read more read more...by a group of terrorists headed by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), who plan to steal the 600 million dollars locked in Nakatomi's high-tech safe. In truth, Gruber and his henchmen are only pretending to be politically motivated to throw the authorities off track; also in truth, Gruber has no intention of allowing anyone to get out of the building alive. Meanwhile, New York cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) has come to L.A. to visit his estranged wife, Holly (Bonnie Bedelia), who happens to be one of the hostages. Disregarding the orders of the authorities surrounding the building, McClane, who fears nothing (except heights), takes on the villains, armed with one handgun and plenty of chutzpah. Until Die Hard came along, Bruce Willis was merely that wisecracking guy on Moonlighting. After the film's profits started rolling in, Willis found himself one of the highest-paid and most sought-after leading men in Hollywood. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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91% liked it

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94% liked it

50 critics

R, 1 hr. 54 min.

Directed by: John McTiernan

Release Date: July 15, 1988

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DVD Release Date: March 9, 1999

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Stats: 34,249 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (34,249)

  • aquateen2
    April 2, 2012
    aquateen2
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]

    There isn't a bigger example of your typical action blockbuster film with everything an average moviegoer could ever want, including laughs, thrills, holiday spirit, romance and action other than the abs... read moreolutely iconic classic Die Hard. This is an iconic movie that undoubtedly has lead actor Bruce Willis at his most unrestrained through out his entire career, and represents the idea that big Hollywood movies can be with determination as good as low budget independent drama's. I never looked away once and I believe it is a brilliant timeless movie.
  • jamers2011
    March 24, 2012
    jamers2011
    I can't believe it took me so long to finally see this movie. Truly one of the best action films of all time. Intense action, violence, perfect pacing, a solid script, and good performances...this is a great film!
  • spielberg00
    February 20, 2012
    spielberg00
    Tense action thriller is the reason Bruce Willis is such a well-recognized name. It sets up when New York police officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) is visiting L.A. with his wife. During a party on the thirtieth floor of the Nakatomi Corporation building, a terrorist group hea... read moreded by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) take partygoers hostage. McClane must then take on the villains, even though he may be "no match for [them]".

    The whole holiday twist of this film threw me off a little. I had expected it, but I did not expect it to be so massive and noticeable. I would not say this is the best holiday film, but a good Christmas, I have now learned, should include a viewing of DIE HARD.

    That's not at all to say this is a cheerful Christmas film. It starts out cheerful, and then begins to evolve into a heart-pounding, thrilling, bloody actioner.

    I'd have to say that DIE HARD is now one of my very favorite action films. It has been considered both a classic and a cult classic, something I strongly agree with. Anyone into action films should be dying to see this if they have not yet; thrilling, gripping, violent fun.
  • StarCrossedVoyager
    January 31, 2012
    StarCrossedVoyager
    An amazingly refreshing action film for its time which has obviously spawned many homages. As good a performance Willis could have given with some quality comedy moments.
  • CreedsDelight
    January 8, 2012
    CreedsDelight
    Hans Gruber: Mr. Mystery Guest? Are you still there?
    John McClane: Yeah, I'm still here. Unless you wanna open the front door for me.
    Hans Gruber: Uh, no, I'm afraid not. But, you have me at a loss. You know my name but who are you? Just another American who saw too many movies... read more as a child? Another orphan of a bankrupt culture who thinks he's John Wayne? Rambo? Marshal Dillon?
    John McClane: Was always kinda partial to Roy Rogers actually. I really like those sequined shirts.
    Hans Gruber: Do you really think you have a chance against us, Mr. Cowboy?
    John McClane: Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker.

    When we look back at the great action stars, we'll inevitably have to put John McClane at the top spot. Die Hard is the most adrenaline fueled action-packed thrill ride of all-time. It's also the quintessential movie I view around the holidays.

    Sergeant Al Powell: I shot a kid. He was 13 years old. Ohhh, it was dark, I couldn't see him. He had a ray gun, looked real enough. You know, when you're a rookie, they can teach you everything about bein' a cop except how to live with a mistake. Anyway, I just couldn't bring myself to draw my gun on anybody again.

    Even though I prefer Die Hard: With a Vengeance over this film (and the whole franchise), Alan Rickman is still the series' ultimate villain. Hans Gruber is the definition of a bamf. His character has no limits, and serves as real competition for McClane.

    John McClane: You'd have made a pretty good cowboy yourself, Hans.
    Hans Gruber: Oh, yes. What was it you said to me before? "Yippie-ki-yay, motherfucker."

    Yippie-ki-yay, motherfucker. The single most memorable line in [R-rated] film history, which is uttered by Bruce Willis in every Die Hard film (minus the pussy-like PG-13 version). Willis gives the film it's McClane, and gives it pretty damn well.

    This film is the ultimate Christmas film. Yippie-ki-yay, motherfuckers.

    Hans: Mr. Takagi, I could talk about industrialization and men's fashion all day, but I'm afraid work must intrude, and my associate, Theo, has some questions for you. Sort of fill in the blanks questions, actually.
  • 3niR
    November 11, 2011
    3niR
    OMA this was truly an awesome 80's movie. I absolutely loved the action scenes. Bruce Willis performance was really outstanding. Can't wait to watch other ones!
  • garyX
    November 7, 2011
    garyX
    When terrorists take the staff of a hi tec skyscraper hostage during a Christmas Eve party, a lone New York cop trapped in the building with them fights for survival while trying to foil their plans. Die Hard was a watershed moment in the evolution of the action movie, and was ge... read morenre defying in that the heroes usually tended to have everything under control in action movies previous to this, while a blood soaked and desperate John McClane always seems one step away from defeat. This makes for some very suspenseful action and Willis' charismatic performance rightly elevated him to mega stardom. It has its faults, namely in the soapy back story of he and his wife and especially the ridiculous nonsense about his would be partner Al and his holstered pistol. These are minor points however as the quips are funny, the action beautifully choreographed and its a thrill ride that has dated surprisingly well. One of THE classic action movies.
  • scottgreen96
    October 30, 2011
    scottgreen96
    A pure grit film that loves using alot of tomato ketchup, a strong start to a continuation of many action films to follow it, which never came close in terms of action or as good a job of acting than this.
  • phubbs1
    October 25, 2011
    phubbs1
    The granddaddy of all gun/action movies, coined the term 'Die Hard on a...'
    this rocks so much, the cast is superb, Rickman especially, and the action is truly pumpin, never letting up the tense sweaty tight pressure for one minute. Like some Arnie flicks the dialog has also gone... read more down in history, hell this film is virtually a part of history as much as 'Star Wars', you really cant fault it on any level, Mctiernan also made 'Predator', the man is or was god.
  • TomBowler
    October 1, 2011
    TomBowler
    THE action movie. Full review later.

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Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel
December 5, 2008
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

In the first half of Director John McTiernan's movie, Willis wears an undershirt. In the second half he gets rid of it. And that's pretty much it for his performance. Full Review

Variety Staff
November 27, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

Die Hard is as high tech, rock hard and souped up as an action film can be. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
November 27, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

A serviceable if rather overextended and overblown adventure thriller. Full Review

Caryn James
May 20, 2003
Caryn James, New York Times

The scenes move with such relentless energy and smashing special-effects extravagance that Die Hard turns out to be everything action-genre fans, and Bruce Willis's relieved investors, might have hope... Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

For what it is, this is the top model -- flash, bang, and witty one-liners all included. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

It's good, dumb fun. Full Review

Hal Hinson
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

It gets your heart pounding, then makes you hate yourself for it. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Inappropriate and wrongheaded interruptions reveal the fragile nature of the plot and prevent it from working. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
April 20, 2012
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

John McTiernan's thriller-actioner is well executed, boasting a strong performance from Bruce Willis, which made him a big-screen star. Full Review

Kelly Kessler
January 2, 2011
Kelly Kessler, Common Sense Media

Original Bruce Willis violent actioner. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Hans Gruber: You asked for miracles, I give you... the FBI.
    • Hans Gruber: We do NOT alter the plan!
    • Karl: And, if HE alters it?
    • Takagi: What kind of terrorists are you?
    • Hans Gruber: Mr.Takagi, who ever said we were terrorists?
    • Holly Gennero McClane: After all this, you're just a common thief.
    • Hans Gruber: I am an exceptional theif, Mrs.McClane!
    • Thornburg: [After C4 Explosion] Tell me you got that!
    • Cameraman: Ya.
    • Hans Gruber: [during a shootout with McClane, who is barefoot] Karl, schieß dem Fenster [Karl gives Hans a puzzled look. Exasperated, Hans repeats it in English] Shoot the glass the *glass!
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Die Hard Trivia

  • Which "Die Hard" movie was directed by Renny Harlin?  Answer »
  • John McClane and his new best friend have to find out who the 21st President was. Which Die Hard movie is this in?  Answer »
  • in which die hard film where there many bombs to defuse  Answer »
  • Which movie in the Die Hard saga is about a techno-terrorist hacker that launches as attack on on the USA's computer systems over the 4th of July weekend.  Answer »
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