Die Hard (1988) | Canadians First Time Watching | Movie Reaction | Movie Review | Commentary

Simone & George are reacting to Die Hard (1988) for the first time! Canadians React!
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00:00 - Intro
01:38 - Die Hard (1988)
31:52 - Discussion
Welcome to Cinebinge,we are reacting to Die Hard (1988) for the first time!
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[@CineBingeReact]

Merry Christmas! \m/

[@douglascampbell9809]

Merry Christmas. This is 1980's LA. You could hear gunfire all over the city. This was a time of a gigantic gang war between the Bloods and the Crips. Crack cocaine brought in money to buy weapons and an even better reason to fight for sales area. Since then around 15,000 people have died in the 40 some years since the 80's. That's more people than the US lost in 20 years in Afghanistan. Police helicopters flying overhead, gunfire in the distance, sirens. It was very close to a mild war zone.

[@mltorrefranca]

Merry Chrostmas, y'all!

[@philshorten3221]

Great reaction, sooo NOT a Xmas movie😂 How about.... Forbidden Planet A really old SciFi but SFX & a Robot waay ahead of its time😉

[@arthurmorgan69420]

Merry Christmas!!

[@iKvetch558]

In moments throughout the film, and particularly at 26:35, the music that is playing that you identified as Christmas music is the "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's incredible 9th Symphony. It is absolutely used very widely as Christmas music, and is also one of the most used classical music themes in movie soundtracks...perhaps most notably in Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange. Sorry if somebody else already pointed this out. 🖖💯✌

[@sealofapproval637]

Funnily enough, in an era where action stars looked like Stallone and Schwartzenegger, i.e. invincible roid monsters, Bruce Willis comparatively average build and physical limitations really made John McClane stand out. He did look like someone's dad, so all the peril and pain he goes through feels all that more gripping and real. He bleeds, he makes mistakes and his only chance to win is down through his own resourcefulness and a generous dose of luck.

[@jamesbarels469]

F.D. Signifier did an intriguing video essay on this idea as a trope in media. The video is called the "Action & The Impossible White GuyMan Trope"

[@jamesbarels469]

@@andrewcharles459 , one big difference I think is that Bruce Willis was coming from a comedic background. I do agree though that Stallone killed it in First Blood.

[@itsmefool8056]

The only reason willis got the job was because he can act and talk which says a lot for the talent of Americans that's why they ask the British if they can do an accent😂

[@GK-yi4xv]

Both Stallone and Schwarzenegger turned down the role. Frank Sinatra, too (!)

[@dnish6673]

And this is the downfall of later movies in the series where they make him more and more into a superman.

[@Sovreign071]

For Gruber's death scene, they dropped Alan Rickman before the 3-count was done. That looked terror on his face is his genuine reaction to falling!

[@professionaljackass]

Yep. The stunt coordinator dropped him on 2.

[@unicyclist97]

Ironic, given Hans' counting system.

[@marcw6875]

I would call it more a look of surprise than terror. What's to be terrified of unless they truly were dropping him from a skyscraper. :p

[@Venjax420]

@@marcw6875 from what I understand, they did really drop him from a skyscraper. He was on ropes and only fell a couple of floors, but this was his first film and probably first time doing rope work...I can see terror...and surprise.

[@trankzen148]

@@Venjax420 He was dropped from 40 feet onto an airbag actually, and the stunt coordinator told his guys to drop him on one instead of zero. Rickman insisted on doing the stunt himself, much to the amazement of the producers who as he says himself "were very careful to make it [his] very last shot of the film" (see his recollection of that stunt here kzbin.info/www/bejne/oH3XamCZq8tljqs )

[@nickyarbrough8392]

The idea of terrorists/murderous armed robbers being so thoroughly European that they carried blocks of cheese into their heist absolutely fucking kills me

[@chrispeel3123]

"These guys are mostly Europeans, judging by their cigarettes.... and cheese!"

[@o0pinkdino0o]

I will forever call C4 cheese from this day forth until I die hard myself.

[@babalonkie]

To be fair... This entire movie was about robbing the Cheddar...

[@mahmuda6139]

​@pinky's palace and 555675^fY6976yd09

[@mahmuda6139]

​

[@ysmith494]

John McClain is really Santa Claus. 1. He knew who was good or bad 2. He came down the elevator shaft 3. He wrote Ho Ho Ho on bad guys shirt. 4. He gave the bad guys lead instead of coal. 5. In the end he kisses Mrs Claus.

[@bentash727]

Lol. So true though

[@suttercane6]

And Mrs Claus's first name is Holly.

[@vladyvhv9579]

And he gave his kids the best Christmas present they could ask for that year. Their dad coming home for Christmas.

[@waterbeauty85]

5:55 "Die hard" is a phrase meaning someone who stubbornly, even irrationally, refuses to give up. It's a common enough phase that there's actually a line of car batteries named "Diehard" because they're supposed to be so reliable that they'll never quit on you. According to legend, the phrase started at the Battle of Albuera in 1811 when Col. William Inglis of the British 57th Regiment of Foot was gravely wounded and his regiment was fighting desperately to stop the French from breaking through their lines. Refusing to be evacuated, Inglis stayed with his men encouraging them with words "Die hard, 57th! Die hard!" Despite taking heavy losses, the 57th resolved that they were going to hold or die trying, and they halted the the enemy's advance until the British were finally able to send reinforcements and drive the French back. Afterwards, the French commander, Marshal Soult, complained "There is no defeating such troops. I penetrated their center. I turned their flank. They were beaten. The day was mine! But they did not know how to run away!" The 57th have been nicknamed "The Die Hards" ever since.

[@iAmEbolaWoT]

WOW! What a great historical reference. That is awesome. I must find the source for this and read more! Thank you.

[@stefanlaskowski6660]

That's seriously cool.

[@chrispeel3123]

Ordinarily in a duel between Allied line and French column, the greater volume of fire laid down by the line (where every single weapon could be brought to bear on the front and flanks of the narrower column) could be expected to be the decisive factor. In this case however, the French were well supported by artillery. More than compensating for the firepower disadvantage of his infantry formation, Girard brought guns up to just 275 metres (300 yd) from Hoghton's line-close enough to enfilade it with a crossfire of grape and canister.[88] Early in this engagement Colonel William Inglis of the 57th Foot was wounded by grapeshot from the French artillery. He refused to be carried to the rear and lay with the Colours; throughout the battle his voice could be heard calmly repeating "Die hard 57th, die hard!"[89] In following his exhortations, the 57th earned their nickname: the "Die-Hards".[86] Under this combined arms assault Hoghton's brigade lost two-thirds of its strength. The Brigadier himself was killed, and as casualties rose its shrinking line could no longer cover the frontage of the attacking column. However, the French were in no condition to press home their numerical advantage; British volley fire had taken its toll and Girard lost 2,000 men during the confrontation.[90] He had tried to form his unwieldy corps-sized column into line to bring his full firepower to bear and overwhelm Hoghton's brigade, but his deploying companies were constantly driven back into the column by the intense British musketry.[91] The role of the 57th in this part of the battle was crucial, standing their ground in complete order and giving not an inch before the French onslaught. Beresford noted in his dispatch, "our dead, particularly the 57th Regiment, were lying as they fought in the ranks, every wound in front". Wikipedia - Battle of Albuera

[@RobbHollen]

Funny you mention the Diehard battery. There was a Diehard commercial last year or the year before that saw the return of John McClane, Argyle, and even Theo! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKG4hGSHiLCHfqM

[@braxtonagee412]

Great story. So cool.

[@rogerlockwood6260]

"Oh, this guy can die in a fire." and "Ooh, that's a lot of cheese." are two of my favourite reaction lines. Ever. Well done.

[@witchking8497]

Fire would be too fast and too easy.

[@Elerad]

I love the Al / John friendship. It's so beautifully done, with Al acting as a great foil. They have the opposite problems. Al is in a happy marriage, with his wife pregnant and him obviously taking care of her, but he has lost his faith in being a policeman, essentially relegating himself to a soft, pointless job behind a desk. John's marriage is a disaster, and he's on the verge of losing his wife and kids, but he's a good cop and has a lot of faith both in his own abilities and in his profession, which he doesn't want to give up or change for his wife's move and career. By the end they've made peace with their problems through forgiveness and acceptance of responsibility. Just excellent.

[@robertwareham8466]

"Oh my god, that is so much cheese..." has to be one of my new favourite sayings! I'll definitely be using it after Christmas dinner this year when my mum brings out the cheese board after deciding we haven't eaten enough yet...

[@Ivy94F]

I spit out my drink when she said that!’ Lol!!😂😂😂

[@jray7316]

@@Ivy94F I laughed quite hard at that . . . and then again when she said, "he's so dirty".

[@Guitcad1]

You should instead exclaim "Oh my god! That is so much C4!" 😮

[@Hazmonk]

My thoughts exactly!

[@llxBUNKxll]

So the phrase “die hard” sort of means someone or something that is opposed to change or fanatical about something specific. It could also mean something /one that refuses to quit or is persistent. There’s Die Hard brands for work boots and car batteries that basically try to apply long lasting use with the name alone. In this case, it applies to both the hero and the villains. The villains (mainly Hans) is die hard about getting away with robbery and murder and will stop at nothing, even the death of his fellow terrorists to make it happen. And Bruce Willis just refuses to give up and also is persistent about getting rid of these guys, even with minimal ammo and no shoes and basically a zero chance that he had to begin with. That machine gun strap was also pretty die hard about holding Bruce’s weight

[@DMC2983NL]

Die Hard also means difficuld to kill or hard to get killed.

[@Christopher_Crayven]

In Germany the films are called "Stirb langsam" direct translation is "Die slowly". That is also fitting, because Bruce Willis gets injured alot, but refuses to die.

[@iAmEbolaWoT]

I gotta say, this is an excellent explanation of Die Hard; what it means. You did an awesome job. :)

[@trismegistus7638]

I always thought the title came from the phrase "Old habits die hard", which fits the themes of the movie. The old habit of being a cop even though he's on vacation in another city, the old habits of being a husband in an estranged marriage, the antagonist's habits of being a pretentious thief. etc. etc.

[@Argumemnon]

@@iAmEbolaWoT Except that it misses one obvious definition, which is the literal one that the movie uses.

[@Cherri_Bomb_01]

The first 3 are the ones worth watching, Die Hard, Die Hard 2: Die Harder, and Die Hard with a Vengence. Those 3 kinda came out one after another and wrap up the whole story. The later ones have a few decent action scenes, but where done in that mid-2000's era of "what can we bring back to make a quick cashgrab?" and you can really feel it.

[@chriscowey7464]

Yep I do not rate them after the 3rd.

[@notthestatusquo7683]

The 4th was okay, I liked it more than 2. Haven't seen any after.

[@sadfaery]

Agreed 100%. I never saw the 5th film and I don't actually remember if there are more than that, but I really did not like the 4th film. 1-3 are good though.

[@yrenekurtz5268]

Part 4 almost gets it right. It's not great but at least it feels like a Die Hard movie. Part 5 is so generic and unremarkable that I honestly don't remember anything about it beyond that it happened in Russia and that John teams up with his son.

[@VeselkoKelava]

Agreed. 1-3, skip the rest. The 3rd one is almost as good as the first.

[@telocity]

12:42 Sound of gunfire does travel, but it's hundreds of feet in the air, the roof blocks sound going down and no one seems very near the tower. So if you heard gunfire in L.A. in the 80s at a distance, you wouldn't be to bothered or even certain where it was coming from.

[@witchking8497]

They say somewhere in the movie that Nakatomi Plaza is in Century City, which is a business district in Los Angeles. Most city business districts start clearing out at 5 PM, by 8 PM they are nearly deserted. Now add that it is Christmas Eve. If anyone is left in approx 1/4 mile its because they are stuck at work, IE inside a building, so all of what you said is right but I am not sure anyone even heard it because inside a building (sealed for HVAC) you do not hear alot from outside.

[@markcarpenter6020]

In the 80s in LA depending on the neighborhood gunfire next door wouldn't alarm you that much.

[@AubreySciFi]

In the sequence where McClane is climbing down the shaft and the gun strap breaks, his stunt double actually fell further than intended before grabbing a ledge, but they kept it in as it was really scary and looked great.

[@dantedja]

Honestly, the 3rd movie is my favorite, partly because none of the side characters are outright useless or inept.

[@steriopticon2687]

After this one, the 3rd is the best. IMHO

[@doughbafett]

3 falls apart in the second half, but I agree about the supporting cast. They're all intelligent and cooperative with McClane. Especially Inspector Cobb. It's embarrassing how bad Dwayne Robinson is in comparison.

[@dustandroktwok1447]

I get you. But parts 1, 2, 3 are basically my equivalent to Star Wars 1, 2, 3.

[@roberthorne9017]

@@trayolphia5756 Yep. The villains aren't just cartoonishly evil, and all the side characters on McClane's side aren't cartoonishly incompetent; they're actually good at their jobs, but the villains are actually counting on it.

[@donkfail1]

Simone: "Everyone's kind of an asshole." That's what happens when you are called in to work extra at Christmas eve, I guess. Happy holidays everyone! Especially if you re working.

[@marcw6875]

Ha, nice. I like the idea that all these characters could normally be extremely nice but they are all just extra pissy about having to work on the holiday. This may be part of my head canon now. ;)

[@BogeyTheBear]

It's also a commentary on the corporation. What kind of company deliberately arranges a Christmas Party on Christmas Eve? A corporation who generally doesn't think of people with family to care for

[@donkfail1]

@@BogeyTheBear Good point! But on the other hand if the party is optional and have a lot of employees; great company for providing a Christmas party for those who would sit home alone that night. Or those who would love an excuse to not attend a family gathering... "Oh, no! I actually have to do some hours at the office that afternoon so I probably won't make it. Big meeting. Yea, I know. I work for Scrooge. But I really want to keep the job, so I better do this. Maybe next year."

[@davidr3146]

Funny story about the falling scene at the end. The reason why Alan Rickman looks authentically surprised and scared is because the Director told him they would drop him on the count of three but did it on one. He did it so he would get a realistic reaction from Alan.

[@alexlim864]

This was Alan Rickman's first movie role, and the first time Bruce Willis took an action role. The simultaneous talking between the McLaines is a callback to Moonlighting, which was what Bruce Willis was known for. Also, most of the terrorists are played by models. 28:10 In reality, it's something like 10 percent acceptable casualties. Merry Christmas!

[@asterix7842]

His first American movie roll. He was British actor before he came to Hollywood.

[@morphman86]

First action movie where he had top billing. He was in a Wyat Erp film before this, called Sunset. Willis' first role was under his birthname, Delaney Leaves, in the detective action film First Deadly Sin. But yeah, Moonlighting made him popular in America and Die Hard made him an action star worldwide. And Alan Rickman's first starring film role (and his first film role overall) was in the British thriller Busted, 5 years before Die Hard. He mostly did British TV shows before then and a LOT of Shakespearean theatre acting.

[@JayM409]

Not just models, ballet dancers. And stunt men.

[@alyberop1]

Albert Leong has acted as henchman/bad dude in lots of movies

[@IvorClegg]

Little bit of trivia: The actor who played Argyle, De'voreaux White, also played the kid trying to steal the guitar from Ray's Music Exchange in The Blues Brothers!

[@texasdustfart]

That is cool, very cool.

[@chrispeel3123]

And the guy breaking the bank vault codes is also known for being Geordi LaForge on Star Trek Next Gen. He just isnt wearing the hair band in front of his eyes.

[@Justin.Franks]

@@chrispeel3123 The guy in Die Hard and The Blues Brothers is Devoureaux White. In Star Trek TNG, LaForge is played by LeVar Burton.

[@chrispeel3123]

@@Justin.Franks I never said they were the same. I was just adding that some people might recognise LeVar as well.

[@CaitiffPrimogen]

@@chrispeel3123 Vault codes guy Theo is played by Clarence Gilyard, not LeVar Burton

[@flip97gt]

The guy that played Karl (Alexander Godunov) was a professional Russian ballet dancer turned actor. Although a phenomenal villain in this movie, he was absolutely fantastic in the romantic comedy The Money Pit.

[@texasdustfart]

He also played a member of the Amish community in Witness, sadly he passed away in 1995.

[@flip97gt]

@@texasdustfart oh yeah! I remember that movie. Had Kelly McGillis if I remember correctly

[@texasdustfart]

@@flip97gt Yes along with Harrison Ford

[@iKvetch558]

In moments throughout the film, and particularly at 26:35, the music that is playing that you identified as Christmas music is the "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's incredible 9th Symphony. It is absolutely used very widely as Christmas music, and is also one of the most used classical music themes in movie soundtracks...perhaps most notably in Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange. Sorry if somebody else already pointed this out. 🖖💯✌

[@ThePixel1983]

And it's the European anthem (If played without the German lyrics, that is.)

[@jdm1066]

Right...right...right...and this has a bit of the Ole...Ultra Violence....Oh my brother.

[@iKvetch558]

@@jdm1066 Welly, welly, well...a bit of the old Ludwig Van, eh?

[@jeffreyphipps1507]

The drop in the ventilation shaft (done by a stunt man) did not go as planned. It was supposed to go with the stunt man getting to the first ledge. The stunt man managed to catch a lower ledge and the shot was kept in.

[@dabe1971]

30:30 It's probably already been mentioned but the reason Rickman's reaction looks genuine is because it was. The stuntmen agreed to drop him on a count of 3 but after a wink from the director they released him early. Genius.

[@thenamesplissken3549]

Spot on and legendary 👊🏻

[@petermirtitsch1235]

@Guy Smith no wonder. They used the real building for the drop. A superhero landing from 30 floors up plays hell with the knees.

[@DMC2983NL]

@@petermirtitsch1235 also with lower back that take also enough punishment by the landing same with the knees, believe me i am former stuntmen and can't do it anymore because of those issue's atleast i am retired well off and have never to get a job.

[@jowbloe3673]

This is the "Viggo broke his toe" comment of *Die Hard.*

[@jowbloe3673]

@@petermirtitsch1235 - They didn't drop Alan Rickman from 30 stories.

[@visualartsbyjr2464]

Another reason why this is a Christmas movie; it's also about family reconciliation between John and Holly. Estranged at the beginning of the movie and by the end they are riding off into the night kissing while snow (papers) is falling. I also busted out laughing when you said that's a lot of cheese. Great reaction.

[@russellward4624]

Plus her name is Holly. What's more Christmas than holly?

[@hjalnelson9579]

24:38 "How did he know?" There are some deleted scenes that explain how he knew. All of Gruber's crew wear matching watches, which John has by now seen now on several members. He saw Hans' matching watch when they shared a light.

[@petergrieder9393]

See, I always assumed it was due to him not flinching at the European cigarette. Smokers can immediately tell the difference and would say something.

[@Vohaul86]

I always thought John was just extra cautious around a guy he didn't really know. Well, that doesn't actually change all that much.

[@konstantinosmichos5749]

also, the cigarettes

[@duckrutt]

He was around when Takagi was killed but it's difficult to say what he saw. It's not clear if the shot behind the glass was a POV but you could argue it was. Also he should have been able to see Hans from on top of the elevator inspecting...Tony? The other blond dude.

[@warpath1911]

@@konstantinosmichos5749 what I got was how Hans was holding the cigarette

[@corumhayes8178]

27:03 George saying "Go just die in a fire" is GREAT!! He's so nice I wasn't sure he could find this kind of hate. I LOVE IT!!

[@Mugthraka]

What was amazing is that it was their 1st action movie for Both of Bruce Willis AND Alan Rickman Willis prior to that was knowed for a romance/comedy show called Moonlight , so not really the action star type. And Rickman was a Theatre Actor, so it was his first movie. When the media and the public learned that Willis will be the star of an action movie directed by John McTiernan( the SAME guy who directed Predator and Hunt for Red Octobre), people thought it was a joke, and was not very suportive of it, saying that he will not be able to fill in the role and it would look ridiculous. Both Willis and Rickman NAILED their parts, and it is what kickstarted Willis's carreer as an Action actor in the 90's, he was elevated on the same rank as Action, has Stallone or Scwharzy.

[@kathyastrom1315]

Moonlighting was a really great show, at least in its first season. I think Willis had done some comedies on the big screen before this, but his film career had not taken off yet. As someone who saw this film in the theaters when it was released, it completely changed my view of the guy!!

[@GK-yi4xv]

Stallone and Schwarzenegger both turned down this role. (even Frank Sinatra turned it down!)

[@DMC2983NL]

@@ThreadBomb true i have seen this show and i have it on my hard drive, it was hillarious to watch, and Die Hard was even mentioned in season 3 or 4 off moonlighting in 1 of the episodes. and Die Hard was made while bruce Willis still was making that show.

[@Mugthraka]

@@ThreadBomb Should occur to you that i ain't American and so the show had a different title/translation and a "bit of action" ain't the same as a FULL on action... A bit of action could has well be how you describe a Columbo episode where he has to run to get a ligther for his cigar...

[@jean-paulaudette9246]

Um, Actually, Bruce Willis' first feature film was called "Blind Date" also starring Kim Bassinger.

[@Fyrecide]

Die Hard means to not give up easy. Simples. Also, the Dalmatian line is referring to how firehouses used to employ Dalmatians. Obviously not a trend that continued into the modern era.

[@gawainethefirst]

Some fire houses in the US still keep dalmatians, but more for ceremonial/mascot purposes.

[@Fyrecide]

@@gawainethefirst Well that's kind of what I meant, meaning they don't actively use them anymore like the sometimes would back when this movie was released. In fact, I think even then the practice had already begun to curtail.

[@witchking8497]

@@Fyrecide I think Dalmatians stopped having any practical use about when the US moved from horse carriages to cars in the cities. So from about the 1920's or so on they have been symbols/mascots where they have been maintained. IMHO.

[@vladyvhv9579]

@@FyrecideJohn would know all of this, being a cop. Most likely, he's referring to firehouse mascot roll, and the fact that the Dalmatian is so intrinsically linked to the public perception of firefighters, that they still sometimes have someone in a Dalmatian suit to help small children with fire safety stuff today.

[@curtquinlan9870]

The next two Die Hard movies are definitely of the same high quality action movies that still stand the test of time. The 2nd movie is also a Christmas action movie, and the 3rd is on par with the first two as some of the best action movies of all time. After those movies, and a long time in between, the franchise returns with a couple of sub-par entries.

[@StarkRG]

In addition to taking place at Christmas, having Christmas things, and Christmas music, as Simone mentioned, it also deals with themes that more traditional Christmas movies deal with: family (John/Holly), friendship (John/Al), and redemption (Al getting over his gun shyness). There's other things too such as the numerous Christmas references, the FBI being Hans' "Christmas miracle", etc. It's not a traditional Christmas movie, but it absolutely is one. As for which ones are worth watching, I'd say they all are. There is, of course, diminishing quality, and increasing ridiculousness (this movie has almost no ridiculousness), the fourth is probably the worst, but they are all definitely fun.

[@sab6261]

It was also released in July like all good Christmas movies.

[@bigdream_dreambig]

That's interesting. I looked at the Rotten Tomatoes rankings, and according to them, the fourth is the best of the sequels, while the fifth is essentially impossible to watch. Unless by "fourth" you meant the fourth sequel and not the fourth movie?

[@StarkRG]

@@bigdream_dreambig That's very weird, because I seem to recall the consensus being that it was a waste of time. I don't remember hearing much of anything about the fifth. I found it to be ok, but less ridiculous than the fourth.

[@bigdream_dreambig]

​@@StarkRG From the Rotten Tomatoes' "Critics Consensus": _Live_ _Free_ _or_ _Die_ _Hard_ may be preposterous, but it's an efficient, action-packed summer popcorn flick with thrilling stunts and a commanding performance by Bruce Willis. ~vs.~ _A_ _Good_ _Day_ _to_ _Die_ _Hard_ is the weakest entry in a storied franchise, and not even Bruce Willis' smirking demeanor can enliven a cliched, uninspired script.

[@rickghastley901]

​@@bigdream_dreambig As someone who has seen the first five movies, I agree completely with the critic consensus there. 1 is perfect. 2 is good. 3 is great. 4 is good as well. 5 is utter trash. I would certainly recommend the first 4 movies and *only* the first four movies.

[@vwlssnvwls3262]

I was not a Bruce Willis fan when this came out. When I went to see this opening week, I watched it 3 times in one day, and I was a huge Bruce Willis fan from then on. This movie redefined the way action movies were made, and judged, and it took Bruce Willis from a comedic actor to a top billed action star (and star in general).

[@robertcorbett9455]

I love this movie to death, but it was a movie that came out a year earlier that "redefined" action movies... Lethal Weapon. Though Die Hard is clearly the superior movie.

[@TequilaToothpick]

@@robertcorbett9455 What do you think Lethal Weapon did that other movies before hadn't done?

[@robertcorbett9455]

@@TequilaToothpick Action movies were low budget, bad acting and just didn't get much effort. Lethal weapon upped the quality and effort put in.

[@dnllrnt]

I've read a ton about this movie, the way John knew something was up about "Bill" was quick to smoke the German cigarettes and put the whole pack into his own pocket. Also, John's a cop first and foremost, he's going to extract as much as he can from Bill before just giving a stranger a loaded gun.

[@inarar5334]

They cut a bit that made it clear that the dead giveaway was Hans watch. McClane notices the others he encountered are wearing the same watch, which they cut. There's a point where John sees Hans watch and has a slight reaction, and it would have been more clear had they left it in that this was the point he knew for sure he wasn't dealing with a hostage.

[@dnllrnt]

@@inarar5334 🤌 perfect, excellent catch!

[@Guitcad1]

@@inarar5334 I hate when they cut important stuff like that.

[@kristopherwood7521]

This was Rickman's first movie role. The surprised look on his face when he drops is real. He was told they would do the drop on the count of three. They did it at one.

[@vladyvhv9579]

And he knocked it out of the park, Hans Gruber is one of the best villains of all time.

[@SPVFilmsLtd]

12:06 - welcome to the 1980's, where 911 prank calls were a prevalent issue so something as "over-the-top" as a hostage crisis in a skyscraper would've been considered likely to be a joke. Especially after the fire-alarm being already cancelled.

[@McPh1741]

I was 10 when this movie came out and I've loved it since. Before this, all I knew Bruce Willis from was the TV show "Moonlighting" he was in with Cybill Sheppard. This movie broke the action hero mold. It showed that an action hero can be a guy that looks like your dad. But, it also set the standard for a ton of other movies to rip off. Check out the Honest Trailer for "Die Hard". It's hilarious!

[@merchillio]

The falling looks really good because they told Alan Rickman they would drop him on the count of 3, and they dropped him on 2. His scared expression is genuine. He was reportedly very VERY pissed about it.

[@hadoken95]

That tracks, I mean he was a pretty accomplished actor - he didn't need that kind of crap.

[@suflanker45]

Which is why that was the last scene they filmed with Rickman.

[@thegen_xer]

A local theater runs the film every Christmas Eve. My friend and I go every year, except for Covid. But we went back to it last year. It's an amazing experience.

[@LeePresson]

They actually dropped Alan Rickman 20 feet onto an airbag made of green screen material. They said "we're gonna count to three" and then let go on one. The look of surprise on his face is genuine.

[@Richard_Jones]

Hey, I just said that. Now, I look like a dickhead! No change there, I suppose.

[@LeePresson]

@@Richard_Jones Well I can't be the only one who knows that. I'm sure there must be others!

[@Richard_Jones]

@@LeePresson You are right, of course, I just wanted to be the cool kid for a change. Merry Xmas from Notts, Uk by the way.

[@gallendugall8913]

A beautiful movie about family and forgiveness overcoming greed - a more Christmasy Christmas movie has never been made.

[@Baelzar]

@@ThreadBomb John and Holly forgive each other. Sgt. Al Powell forgives himself. It's all about forgiveness, man!

[@Mugthraka]

The Best Xmas Movie. It ain't Xmas until you see Hans Gruber falling from Nakatomi Plaza tower.

[@christophzander5041]

The sentence "that is so much cheese" was killing me! :-)

[@Dejo2106]

Radom fact: Reginald Val Johnson (LAPD Officer Al Powell) has played a police officer in the 3 largest U.S. cities. He was LAPD in Die Hard, NYPD in Ghostbusters, and Chicago PD in the sitcom Family Matters.

[@bryanbrill1526]

27:17 ......."that is so much cheese..." My new favorite line!

[@joek468]

I was a courier for the tv movie industry several years back. I made deliveries to this building Fox Plaza at Fox Studios- several times a months. It wasn't till last year-I think, that I learned this was the same building.

[@emwungarand]

The scene where Hans dropped, they had Alan Rickman up 20 feet in the air to shoot and the stunt crew told Rickman they were going to drop him on the count of 3, but they released on 1 instead. The surprise on his face was genuine.

[@flatebo1]

32:10 - The real villains I would say are the police captain, the FBI guys and the stupid news guy. So, just like real life.

[@shainewhite2781]

The film was nominated for Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing and Best Film Editing, but lost all to Who Framed Roger Rabbit? It made $190-200 million dollars at the box office against a $50 million dollar budget, and it's considered to be the best action movie ever made.

[@hackerx7329]

Which to be fair, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? was in fact a technical masterpiece. The 80s just happened to have a few years that were absolutely stacked with movies with all kinds of unique accomplishments and advancements on the technical side of things. Massive improvements in practical effects and models were made even from year to year.

[@dnllrnt]

Alan Rickman's first movie at 42 years old. It's never too late to do what you dream of doing, kids!

[@CineBingeReact]

george: "when i grow up, i want to be a fire truck"

[@raminybhatti5740]

Wow, that's great. I never knew that.

[@dnllrnt]

@@CineBingeReact George, you go be the best damn firetruck

[@waterbeauty85]

28:10 In reality, it does sometimes come down to what losses are "acceptable" vs. letting all the hostages be killed when it becomes necessary to attempt a rescue by force.

[@wwoods66]

@@jeffburnham6611 When it looks like international terrorism, the feds are going to want to be involved, to some degree. The mayor of LA can't negotiate the release of imprisoned members of 'Asian Dawn', etc.

[@jacfalle27]

There’s a saying. “It’s not Christmas until Hans Gruber falls from Nakatomi Plaza.” Best Christmas movie ever. 🤩

[@tennseven999]

When you mentioned that the scene with Hans falling looked really good: I read somewhere that they had Rickman on a quick release harness and told them that they were going to countdown to zero or release him at a specific cue or something like that, and then instead they just released the harness when he wasn't expecting it in order to get a more genuine reaction.

[@GorgeousRandyFlamethrower-]

the late great John Sessions once said something like "there's a way to get a high-octane version of the classic English villain, which is to get an English villain to play a German villain", and Alan Rickman here is a perfect example of that

[@vwlssnvwls3262]

"Die Hard" is a way of describing something, or someone that does not quit under pressure.

[@joshuacampbell7493]

Fun Fact: Bonnie Bedelia ( Holly) is also Macaulay Culkin's aunt.

[@15blackshirt]

This is still THE greatest Christmas movie ever made, but Gremlins and Lethal Weapon are pretty close; I recommend watching more 80's action movies, primarily Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone

[@lethaldose2000]

Schwarzenegger, and Stallone. They could watch those two for 3 months straight and still wouldn't cover all their classics.

[@15blackshirt]

@@vabeachkevin, they take place during Christmas, so it doesn't get any closer than that; you might want to watch those three and actually pay close attention

[@Xoferif]

Gremlins is my favourite Christmas movie!

[@15blackshirt]

@@ThreadBomb, I suggest watching those three movies

[@15blackshirt]

@@vabeachkevin, watch the movies I mentioned, and if you pay attention, you might actually learn something

[@robwealer5416]

The film's category was popularly changed from a romance between John and his wife to a "bromance" between McClane and Reggie Veljohnson , the cop ... so good eyes...

[@BogeyTheBear]

19:59 The thing about the way skyscrapers are built is the walls don't carry any of the weight-- it's all supported by the skeleton of the building. The walls are just panels that hang down from the supports like blinds over a window, so a blast like that stripping wall panels out of an entire floor will not make the building collapse.

[@brianmurphy8811]

There's two sides, people who know it's a Christmas movie, and then there's the people who are wrong.

[@arandomnamegoeshere]

I always thought the reason the first explosion is so large is not because it came entirely from McClane's improvised explosive. Rather his charge sets off an entire floor already wired to blow. The plan was probably to have that initial lower-floor charge prepared to slow down police assault (similar to having the recoilless rifle ready to take on SWAT armor - "the quarterback is toast") and goose along the involvement of the FBI. It would also set up the expectation for the 2nd charge - the top of the building. McClane kind of ruined the surprise and almost derailed the plan (thus the need to hunt him down and get back the detonators). What he tossed down the elevator shaft was probably extra, left-over explosive and thus didn't expect the size of the explosion he would set off.

[@alalcoolj216]

Maybe. I just assumed it was from the fresh box of rocket launcher ammo that is sitting right by the elevator door. They show the guy going to the box and getting a new rocket cannister, right when the bomb goes off.

[@davidlambert8879]

this movie is about a man trying to get to see his family for Christmas, and if you listen close there is Christmas music playing throughout the movie in low tones

[@Billinois78]

Christmas stories tend to be about miracles that happen at Christmas time. This movie had a lot of them.

[@robertshields4160]

The look of fear on Alan Rickman's face when he fell was real. They had him suspended pretty high over an air bag that he could land into. The director told him they'd have him fall on a count of three. They let him fall on the count of one. They made sure to do that shot as the last scene of the day. Rickman wasn't happy.

[@mack7882]

Die Hard 4 is my second favorite, Die Hard 3 is also good all well written with charismatic villans. Die Hard 2 meh, Die Hard 5 just pretend it was never made. Also if you want a funny action movie with great casting and actors try the Bruce Willis movie Red - highly entertaining.

[@martinm8991]

George mentioned "Die harder" - that is the title of DieHard2. The first one is legendary and the third is really good. My favorite Xmas song: Christmas is all around 🎄

[@LacoSinfonia]

So easy to forget when you’ve seen it a million times, but y’all’s reaction to the ventilation shaft scene reminded me how insanely well done it is.

[@TrojanRabbit521]

You guys did a great job. I love this movie & watch every Christmas my wife Christmas Story (recommended). I still catch new things. Ellis ask for coke but he gets Coca Cola instead and shows disappointment when he gets his can. 30 years later still catching little bits like that!

[@shainewhite2781]

BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIE EVER MADE!!

[@Voldine2]

For me it's a close second behind Gremlins.

[@JamesFerminVideos]

One of my favorite parts is that little cameo of Richard Pryor running through the bushes.

[@raw6668]

So you know, Die Hard is based on the book the movie is loosely based off of "Nothing Last Forever." A depressing piece of work where it is McClane's daughter, not his wife, who dies in the end due to greed. Needless to say, what was originally going to be an adaptation was rewritten it an 80s action flick, so they needed a new title and went with the "coolest name" they could think of.

[@shainewhite2781]

The movie is Rambo in a skyscraper. And speaking of Rambo, a lot of action stars were considered for John McClane: Sylvester Stallone Paul Newman Clint Eastwood Charles Bronson Richard Gere Patrick Swayze Richard Dean Anderson Harrison Ford Mel Gibson Jeff Bridges Nick Nolte Kurt Russell Don Johnson Burt Reynolds And Arnold Schwarzenegger.

[@DMC2983NL]

you forget Eddie murphy he was considered as well, he made beverly hills cop year earlyer.

[@timneale5657]

Merry Christmas guys, thanks for giving me some smiles this year. And Yes Simone it is a Christmas movie glad you're on the right side of that conversation ;)

[@stephenlackey5852]

Some people believe that Christmas movies have to be about “the Spirit of Christmas,” whereas this is a shoot-em-up which happens at Christmas time. My argument that this is a Christmas movie: John came in town specifically, because it was Christmas, the hostage situation takes place at a Christmas party, and as Simone said - Christmas music and presents.

[@RussVerbofsky]

The count down to Christmas is each floor Hans Grubber falls. :P

[@javierpatag3609]

Fun fact: When they filmed the fall of Hans Gruber, the stunt director told actor Alan Rickman they would count to three then release him. But he actually instructed the stunt people to drop him on the count of *_one._* That’s how they got such a genuine expression of shock on Alan Rickman’s face.

[@Mr_M_]

If you decide to do the whole series, just make sure when you get to the 4th and 5th movies that you watch the unrated versions, especially for the 4th one. They're definitely better than the theatrical cuts. With the 4th one the theatrical cut is PG-13 and it's just bad, so the unrated R cut is the way to go.

[@R20set]

This is one of the reasons why your videos are the best, Simone is extremely funny. Almost choked on my christmas pastry.

[@StephenLuke]

This is one of my favorite Christmas movies ever made, first saw it on DVD three years ago on Christmas Day.

[@pokes404]

In regards to how far you should go with the series, AT LEAST the first 3 movies. But I would say go all the way to 4.

[@Xenotric]

Highly recommend watching the second soon! third is worth the watch too but unlike first two it isnt very christmassy. After that they become fairly generic action films with total nonsense plots. also like most christmas movies it involves family reconciliation!

[@logankerlee]

Merry Christmas! Very happy to have seen this today! I already watched the full reaction to this and it rocked! This cut up reaction was amazing though. :) Had so much fun watching! 😀

[@glennwisniewski9536]

Hey S & G, a diehard person is defined as "someone who is unwilling to change or give up their ideas or ways of behaving, even when there are good reasons to do so." Sound like someone in this movie? I also found this: at the Battle of Albuera in 1811 , during the Peninsular War, William Inglis , commander of the British 57th Regiment of Foot, exhorted his men to "die hard." They acted with such heroism that the regiment earned the nickname "Die-hards." That's where the term came from.

[@coreyhendricks9490]

One Of The Greatest Christmas-Action Ever Made

[@vlcthefish]

One Of The Greatest Re-Action Channels Ever Made

[@roesler]

"How far do we go?" Die Hard 1 through 3 are the good ones - I'd say 1 and 3 (3 is called "With a Vengeance") are the best, but people will debate it. 4 is crap (it's not even "so bad it's good" material) and I couldn't get myself to watch 5.

[@violetgibson9]

Die hard is an expression which means someone who is motivated to extreme, never quit, die hard. A die hard fan, die hard cop, die hard soldier all willing to go full on.

[@TheMidnightPhil]

Every time I see that iconic scene of Hans slow-mo falling from the building I'm impressed anew at how good it still looks. Just a great shot from a great movie.

[@timmarshall2491]

LOL at George's comment about people actually going out of their way to listen to Christmas music. I created my own 164-song Christmas music compilation. I spent several weeks finding my favorite versions of certain songs and tracking down old classics. I have it on my phone and use a Bluetooth speaker to listen to it when trimming the tree, wrapping gifts and when we are together with family opening presents. I also have the Star Wars Christmas and South Park Christmas albums on there separately. So yes, there are people who not only seek out Christmas music, but who really go out of their way to listen to it. lmao.

[@Guitcad1]

"Die-hard", at least in US English, is often used to describe someone or something that is resilient, indominable, tenacious. Someone who will never quit or give up, no matter what.

[@TheBifalco]

“That’s a lot of cheese” is now how I reference C-4 from now on. Great vid 👍

[@vcancer]

Alan Rickman in his final scene in the movie falling of the Nakatomi plaza was afraid of hights. During the filming, they had Alan strapped into his harnnest and rehersed the part over and over but Alan was growing tired of it and his fear of hights was at 100%. The director decided to fool Alan by telling him that they weren't going to drop him this time and that they would do it in after effect. When Alan started to act out the scene and thought that all was good, the director signel to the drop guys and they let Alan Rickman drop. The expression you see on Alans face is his true reaction of him being drop. He was so pissed but the director got the shot they wanted and the scene now lives on as part of movie history.

[@emwungarand]

Did you know, this was Alan Rickman's FIRST movie? He was 41.

[@ch44227]

The shot of him falling in slow motion at the end, they told the actor they were going to drop him on three. They drop him on two to get the surpirsed look on his face.

[@mark-be9mq]

Just for nothing, the thru music, is the 4th movement ( Ode to Joy), from Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Not really Christmas music, but I loved the way they used it DH. As a teen in the 80s, this one was pretty cool to see in theaters, especially with all the action, humor, and of course all that, "cheese". Thanks for the memories, guys.

[@raiderfn49]

Hans falling at the end was great they were going to release him on the count of 3 but instead let him go on 2 so he was really surprised. Merry Christmas everyone

[@chrispeel3123]

Aww, missed my favourite bit. When they are setting up to repel the cops the villain that is by the snack bar sets up his gear, then has a sneaky shufty around before nicking some candy bars. It was a piece improvised by the actor and the director approved him to go for it.

[@wishfulstinker8327]

Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone. You are all loved.

[@WILLMELEE4FOOD]

33:00 Simone, you gotta include the "snowfall" to your Christmas movie requirements... granted, it was just falling sheets of copy paper and burnt ash, but visually it was just as effective

[@jonathaneves5847]

🤭😊😂🤣🤣🤣 The best and cutest line in any 'Reaction video' ... '' before I saw, that it said C4. I thought it was a block of cheese ..'' followed by George's fabulous reaction ...that took two attempts at typing .. thanks, Simone.

[@katelynrushe9025]

I always assumed John McClane knew better when Hans was pretending to be an escaped hostage because he saw him in the elevator earlier while Hans was reading the “Now I have a machine gun HO-HO-HO” message on the dead henchman.

[@oltyret]

Greed was a big theme in Eighties movies. The greedy characters were 'yuppies' (Young Urban Professionals) who were supposedly ex-hippies who abandoned their youthful idealism and only cared now (in the Eighties) about success and making money. That was the meme anyway. Yuppie characters were the "white knight" negotiator, the shock journalist, and the police captain. They were a constant hindrance to the 'caring' characters like John McClain. They weren't bad; they were just soulless. The bad yuppies were the terrorists that abandoned their causes and decided to cash in with a massive heist. This theme was cemented at the end with the rain of bearer bonds upon the plaza. A third group of characters are those who are simply incompetent like the FBI and cause more trouble for the caring characters.

[@mikedignum1868]

The lift shaft drop was an accident as the stunt man was supposed to grab the first vent hole and not the second..But it looked so good the director kept it in.

[@dynerobe]

"Die Hard" is a phrase coined by Lieutenant-Colonel William Inglis of the 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot during the Battle of Albuera. Its original literal meaning has evolved to describe any person who will not be swayed from a belief.