IS DIE HARD A CHRISTMAS FILM?
It’s been 32 years since the world was introduced to the mutually respectful relationship of quick-witted John McClane and sophisticated Hans Gruber, and what a treat it was. To this day, Die Hard holds up as one of the best action films ever made; and an annual Christmas watch!
Here’s why:
The Soundtrack
Even those that are with me, in considering Die Hard a Christmas film, would agree that it is not necessarily a traditional one. The thing is, the film is aware of this, it tells us so right at the start.
As the opening credits roll, we are treated to our first Christmas song; Run D.M.C’s Christmas in Hollis. There is no doubt that this is a Christmas song, but it’s often not considered a traditional one, sound familiar?
If you’re a real stickler and need more classic Christmas songs in your festive films, don’t worry. Jingle All the Way is whistled by our hero as he hides out in the Nakatomi plaza, and Let it Snow! is hummed by Sgt. Al Powell when he is buying twinkies for his pregnant wife and also in his patrol car.
The theme played almost consistently through the film is Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, while this is not actually a Christmas song in itself, over the years it has become synonymous with the holiday; you’re much more likely to hear it in December than July.
Finally, the film closes with Vaughn Monroe’s version of the previously mentioned Let it Snow! This soundtrack is up to it’s scarfed neck in yule-tide celebration.
The Setting
This is a simple one, and maybe the most full-proof argument as to why Die Hard is a Christmas film. It is set on Christmas eve. In fact, the first use of the word ‘Christmas’ comes at an incredible 1:55 in to the film.
What sums up the season more than flying home to see your family? Okay, McClane isn’t exactly flying to ‘his’ home, but he is flying to L.A. to see his family, bringing a giant teddy bear as a present to his young children.
He then goes to an office Christmas party where there is a giant Christmas tree, decorations, presents, drinking, even the inevitable office hook up is shown.
The Staples of the Season
Things associated with Christmas; mulled wine, presents, scrooge, stockings, Rudolph, Frosty, chestnuts and a fireplace. Die Hard is full of references to the holiday. In fact, all those noted above are mentioned even before the 5 minute mark.
Being set on Christmas eve, it seems only appropriate to include a reference to the classic poem A Visit from St. Nicholas, and it comes as the FBI are attempting to infiltrate the Nakatomi building. Hacker and all round sassy man Theo gives us his rendition over the CB radio:
‘Alright, listen up guys. 'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring — except for the four assholes coming in the rear in standard two-by-two cover formation.’
The Stats
If nothing else will convince you, hopefully the facts will. The word Christmas is used 15 times throughout the film, on average, that’s every 8.8 minutes. As well as that, we hear jingle bells on a whopping 19 separate occasions, once every 6.9 minutes. How many non Christmas films can boast those statistic?
Snow in L.A.?
You might think this is a bit of a stretch, but hear me out!
There may be zero chance of it snowing at Christmas in sunny L.A. but this film manages to include white powder regardless.
If that’s not working for you, the closing moments of the film see our main characters, the good guys anyway, standing before Nagatomi plaza surrounded by Christmas lights, well they’re emergency service lights, but they do the job. As John and Holly embrace each other, pieces of paper flutter down around them just like … you’ve got it, snow!
The Theme
Die Hard is about overcoming adversity for your family, it is about coming home for Christmas, it is about putting aside your differences and coming together at this time of year. These are the themes we find in the majority of Christmas films. This is a film about love and family, it just happens to have a few explosions along the way. I would also like to point out that Mrs. McClane’s first name is Holly. Yes Holly. Come on!
How festive!
It would be unforgivable to discuss this film and omit, arguably, the most famous visual. How can you see Hans Gruber’s henchman, Tony, with a Christmas hat and ‘Now I have a machine gun ho-ho-ho’ written on his jumper and not think of Christmas? Alright, maybe it’s not the image you want to have in your head when unwrapping presents, but there’s no doubt that it’s a festive kill.
Die Hard is a Christmas film!