Die Hard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Die Hard is a 1988 thriller film directed by John McTiernan, starring Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Alexander Godunov. It drew a wide audience and shaped its genre.
Plot
On Christmas Eve, New York City Police Department (NYPD) Detective John McClane arrives in Los Angeles, hoping to reconcile with his estranged wife, Holly, at a party held by her employer, the Nakatomi Corporation. He is driven to Nakatomi Plaza by a limo driver, Argyle, who offers to wait for McClane in the garage. While McClane washes himself, the tower is seized by German ex-radical Hans Gruber and his heavily armed team, including Karl and Theo. Everyone in the tower is taken hostage except for McClane, who slips away, and Argyle, who remains oblivious to events. Gruber is posing as a terrorist to steal the $640 million in untraceable bearer bonds in the building's vault.
Production
Written by Steven E. de Souza and Jeb Stuart, the film was produced by Gordon Company. Michael Kamen composed the score. Jan de Bont handled the cinematography. The film runs 132 minutes. The crew and editing refined every shot.
Reception
On a budget of $28,000,000, Die Hard grossed $140,767,956 worldwide at the box office. A critic consensus praised its screenplay and score.
Legacy
Die Hard is part of the Die Hard Collection franchise; its influence and legacy endure in later cinema.
See also
References
- "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time". topfilms100. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
- Ebert, Roger. The Great Movies. Broadway Books.
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