On July 16th, 1988, the greatest Christmas movie of all time was released. Yes, I’m talking about Die Hard. As it celebrates its anniversary today, let’s dive into some fascinating facts about the movie.
10 Facts About ‘Die Hard’ You May Not Know
On July 16th, 1988, the greatest Christmas movie of all time was released. Yes, I’m talking about Die Hard. As it celebrates its anniversary today, let’s dive into some fascinating facts about the movie.
1. It’s Based on a Novel
The film is an adaptation of Roderick Thorp’s 1979 novel Nothing Lasts Forever. This book is a sequel to his 1966 novel The Detective, which was adapted into a film starring Frank Sinatra. Interestingly, the role of John McClane was first offered to Sinatra, who declined.
2. Bruce Willis Was Far from the First Choice
Before Bruce Willis was cast as the iconic John McClane, the role was offered to several established action stars, including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, all of whom turned it down.
3. It Was Alan Rickman’s Feature Film Debut
The role of the calculating villain Hans Gruber was Alan Rickman’s first feature film role. His portrayal is widely regarded as one of the greatest cinematic villains.
4. The Terrifying Fall Was Real
In the scene where Hans Gruber falls from Nakatomi Plaza, Alan Rickman’s genuine look of terror was achieved by dropping him unexpectedly from a height.
5. Nakatomi Plaza is a Real Building
The fictional Nakatomi Plaza is actually the Fox Plaza in Century City, Los Angeles, which was still under construction during filming.
6. An On-Set Injury Led to Hearing Loss for Willis
During filming, the extra-loud blanks used caused permanent hearing loss in Bruce Willis’s left ear.
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7. The Famous “Yippee-Ki-Yay” Line Was an Ad-Lib
One of the most iconic lines in action movie history, “Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker,” was an ad-lib by Bruce Willis.
8. The German Terrorists Weren’t All German
While the villains are portrayed as German, many actors were not. In the German-dubbed version, the terrorists speak in grammatically incorrect German.
9. The Director Had a Shakespearean Vision
Director John McTiernan viewed the story as a modern-day version of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, structuring it as a comedy.
10. It’s Officially a Christmas Movie (According to the Director)
The debate about whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie was settled by director John McTiernan, who intended it to be a Christmas film.
Summing It All Up
Die Hard remains one of my favorite movies. I watch it every Christmas Eve, and it’s amazing how it continues to resonate with audiences.
