John McTiernan | 1988
The Christmas Movie Debate
Die Hard's status as a Christmas movie is a perennial subject of debate among film enthusiasts. Despite the ongoing discussion, audience polls consistently indicate a strong majority believe it is indeed a Christmas movie, with one poll showing 89% in favour and another 72%.
Why Die Hard is a Christmas movie:
Setting and Atmosphere:
The entire film unfolds on Christmas Eve, during a holiday party. This immerses the audience in a festive environment, complete with Christmas decorations, holiday music, and a celebratory mood.
The film's credits, featuring the song "Let It Snow," reinforce a Christmas vibe. The narrative begins at sunset or nightfall, an hour associated with Santa Claus's arrival, with protagonist John McClane metaphorically riding his sleigh into Los Angeles.
Themes of Reconciliation and Family:
A core narrative thread involves John McClane's endeavour to reconcile with his estranged wife, Holly. Their ultimate reunion with their children encapsulates themes of family, forgiveness, and togetherness, which is deeply in line with the spirit of Christmas.
The character of Holly Gennero (née McClane) is even linked to the holiday through her name, derived from the "holly tree". The external conflict within the film serves as the catalyst for the family's eventual reunification. The film foregrounds the importance of marriage as a covenant relationship.
References to Christmas Culture:
The film contains explicit allusions to Christmas. Notably, McClane employs holiday packing tape to secure a gun to his back. His iconic line, "Now I have a machine gun. Ho ho ho," injects dark humour into the holiday setting. Furthermore, the terrorists' objective is to steal "Christmas presents" in the form of valuable bearer bonds.
Spirit of Generosity and Self-Sacrifice:
McClane embodies the sacrificial spirit often associated with Christmas by repeatedly risking his life to protect others. This selflessness can be interpreted as a secular manifestation of the Christian principles of love and giving. The act of "protecting the weak" is depicted as a virtuous and fundamental action.
Pop Cultural Adaptation: Irrespective of the initial intentions of its director and star, Die Hard has been widely embraced by the American public as a Christmas movie. This reception is evident in the annual holiday screenings organised by fans and the film's consistent inclusion in Christmas watch lists.
Why Die Hard is not a Christmas movie:
Not Explicitly About Christmas:
Unlike traditional Christmas films such as Christmas Vacation or A Christmas Story, Die Hard is not fundamentally centred on the Christmas narrative itself.
Absence of a Transformative Holiday Message:
While conventional Christmas movies deliver messages tied to the season, such as the power of hope, faith, joy of giving, or redemption, Die Hard's exploration of themes like family and sacrifice is not uniquely bound to the Nativity. However, Christmas is not only for young children now is it?!
Excessive Violence and Un-Christmas-like Tone:
The film's high-octane action and dark humour present a stark contrast to the typically warm and sentimental tone of most Christmas movies. Its depiction of bloodshed and strong language is perceived by some as incompatible with the cosy, family-oriented perception of Christmas films. Yet, the violence within the film is described as not being gratuitous.
Christmas as Mere Backdrop:
The holiday setting is argued to be incidental, suggesting that the plot would remain largely unchanged if the corporate party occurred at any other time of the year. The Christmas elements could be easily substituted without significant impact on the narrative.
The Film Creators' Intent
Director John McTiernan and actor Bruce Willis reportedly did not intend for Die Hard to be perceived as a Christmas movie. McTiernan himself characterised the Christmas elements as a narrative device rather than the central focus of the story. Nevertheless, the effect and meaning of a work of art can evolve independently of its creator's original intentions, often taking on a significance "bigger than the artist".
Christian Themes
Die Hard is amenable to a Christian analysis, extending beyond simple interpretations as a battle of toxic masculine figures or a capitalist allegory.
Redemption and Sacrifice:
John McClane's character arc is one of redemption. Initially depicted as a flawed man estranged from his wife and grappling with pride, he undergoes a personal transformation throughout the film, embracing humility, selflessness, and the importance of love and family.
This journey echoes Christian concepts of repentance and the transformative power of divine grace. His enduring physical suffering to save others, particularly his wife, is interpreted as an act of sacrificial love, aligning with the Christian ideal expressed in John 15:13. Sergeant Al Powell also experiences a genuine redemption arc, moving from a conflicted past to ultimately saving the day.
Evil and the Nature of Sin:
Hans Gruber, the primary antagonist, is depicted as a Luciferian archetype, personifying the vices of greed and pride. Gruber is well-dressed, well-spoken, seductive, and possesses many charming qualities. McClane's confrontation with Gruber is viewed as a symbolic clash between selfless good and selfish evil, a recurring motif in Christian narratives.
Community and Unity:
The hostages within Nakatomi Plaza represent a microcosm of human community. McClane's relentless efforts to protect them underscore the Christian ideal of solidarity and the value of each human life. The film suggests that salvation is often achieved through collective action rather than individual isolation.
Marriage and Reconciliation:
McClane's central motivation is to reconcile with Holly, his estranged wife. Their eventual reunion at the film's conclusion highlights the importance of marriage as a covenant relationship, reflecting the Christian perspective on marriage as a Sacrament that mirrors the union of Christ and the church.
Overcoming Despair with Hope:
Despite confronting seemingly insurmountable challenges, McClane maintains steadfastness in his mission. His perseverance reflects the Christian virtue of hope, embodying a trust that good will ultimately triumph over evil, irrespective of immediate suffering.
Capitalist and Globalist Critique
The Nakatomi Corporation, a multinational entity, is strongly featured. The film's setting in the 1980s, when Japan was perceived as the China of the 1980s, highlights contemporary economic anxieties.
The Nakatomi building's logo, resembling an offshoot of the Pentagon, suggests a confluence of corporate and military power. The film subtly critiques corporate greed and hubris, with the company's vaults containing $600 million worth of riches, primarily negotiable bearer bonds, serving as the central object of Gruber's desire.
Cold War Subplot
A subtle Cold War subplot is present, as the antagonists are identified as East German terrorists affiliated with Marxist, East German sympathetic groups, including offshoots of the INLA or IRA, and Libyan factions. This is contrasted with McClane, portrayed as a wild west Cowboy. Hans Gruber frequently comments on perceived American decadence, "You Americans are all alike".
Masculinity
The film is noted for its masculinity. McClane's character also presents a revolutionary Everyman Hero figure, departing from the invincible musclebound superhumans common in 1980s action films like those featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
McClane's relatable vulnerability and frequent errors redefined the action protagonist standard. He more lone wolf akin to Rambo in First Blood or Stanley Kowalski from A Streetcar Named Desire in his tank top.