As a seasoned reader who’s traversed the literary landscapes of countless novels, I must say that comparing the original storyline of “Nothing Lasts Forever” to its cinematic adaptation, “Die Hard“, is like night and day. While both stories share similar characters and settings, their narratives are as different as a quiet evening at home with a good book versus an action-packed blockbuster movie.
Bruce Willis is renowned for his extraordinary career in Hollywood, yet he will forever be recognized primarily with the Die Hard series. This iconic action franchise, much like many other timeless cinematic properties, originated from a book. For example, First Blood was adapted from a book sharing the same title. Similarly, while the film adaptation of Die Hard varied from its source material, Roderick Thorp’s 1979 novel Nothing Lasts Forever, served as the basis for the movie.
Initially, the book sparked a series of films, but it was actually a follow-up, specifically to Thorp’s excellent 1966 novel titled “The Detective“. This novel was later turned into a film with the same name, featuring Frank Sinatra in the lead role. However, unlike that movie adaptation, “Die Hard” deviated significantly from its original source material, as you will see below, I’ve outlined the key differences.
8 John McClane as Opposed to Joe Leland
John McClane is a smart-mouthed, witty New York City Police Department Detective who’s known for his one-liners. On the other hand, Joe Leland was once a seasoned big city cop, now living in retirement from the police force and transitioning into an insurance investigator role. Eventually, he establishes a private detective agency with his former partner. In essence, while they share some similarities, there are minor differences between these characters.
Out of His Jurisdiction
However, making McClane a police officer stationed miles away complicates his predicament at Nakatomi Plaza (Klaxon Oil Building in the book). He’s operating beyond his usual territory of authority, which understandably causes some dissatisfaction among LAPD members, as they prefer him to adhere to his jurisdiction.
7 The Book Has a Romantic Subplot
While the movie starts with McClane leaving the airport, the book portrays him being picked up, boarding a flight to L.A., and then traveling by air. Notably, prior to disembarking, a flight attendant attempts to engage him romantically. However, his heart is set on Holly, and he remains indifferent.
It Wouldn’t Have Made Sense in the Movie
However, Holly doesn’t feature in “Nothing Lasts Forever”, and instead of her, the storyline focuses more on the protagonist’s plane journey. This part also highlights his attempts at flirting with Kathi Logan, a character present throughout the novel. Much like Argyle was constantly featured in the film, Logan is consistently present in the book, even engaging in radio conversations with Leland alongside Sgt. Al Powell.
6 Joe’s Visiting His Daughter, John’s Visiting His Wife
In the film, John McClane is making his way across the country to see his wife, Holly Gennaro, who’s been causing marital strain. Despite their issues, her relocation hasn’t improved matters. He’s trying to reconcile, but it seems as challenging for him to quit the NYPD as it would be for Holly to permanently leave him.
Similar Reason to Visit
As a movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: In the story, I too embark on a journey across the country and find myself at a festive soiree held high above the city in a towering skyscraper. However, unlike popular belief, I am not there to reconcile with my former spouse; instead, I’m making amends with my estranged daughter, Stephanie Gennaro. Interestingly enough, while Holly appears to have her life perfectly aligned, Stephanie is entangled in a passionate affair with her boss and seems to indulge more frequently in cocaine than Harry Ellis does on the silver screen. By the way, the characters’ destinies diverge significantly from one another, but let’s delve deeper into that at a later point.
5 Different Gruber, Different Goal
In the book, it’s not Hans Gruber as you might think, but rather his brother Anton “Little Tony the Red” Gruber. This character was once an SS officer, driven by politics and his own psychopathic tendencies. However, in the movie, he portrays himself to the media and police as this character, but his true motive is simply to obtain $640 million worth of bearer bonds.
No Ordinary Thief
As a cinema enthusiast, let me rephrase that: I’m no stranger to the world’s headlines, for the name Anton is synonymous with global terror. He’s seized control of the Klaxon Oil Building, aiming to uncover their illicit activities in Chile. In essence, beyond sharing a surname and a penchant for violence, these two individuals bear little resemblance to one another in terms of their true nature.
4 Al’s Age
In the movie “Die Hard,” Sergeant Al Powell, portrayed by Reginald VelJohnson, is a seasoned police officer in his forties. He has been patrolling for some time. However, when the crisis at Nakatomi Plaza occurs, he’s not on duty. Still, true to form for any officer dedicated to public safety, he decides to head towards the scene despite being off-duty.
Very Helpful in Both
In the movie “Nothing Lasts Forever”, the character named Al Powell remains as a Sergeant, but this time he’s summoned to Klaxon Oil Headquarters instead of responding to a call while in a store nearby. A surprising twist is that he’s just 22 years old. Despite these minor changes, the role of Al Powell in the story, which primarily involves his assistance to John/Joe, has not undergone significant alterations.
3 The Protagonist Knows Who the Antagonist Is Prior to the Events of the Book’s Narrative
Prior to the occurrence of “Nothing Lasts Forever”, Anton Gruber was well-known as a ruthless terrorist in the eyes of law enforcement officials, among them Joe Leland.
Mystery Man
In the movie “Die Hard”, John McClane finds Hans Gruber to be quite enigmatic. Essentially, Gruber is a mystery not only to people outside his team but possibly even to them. Consequently, McClane discovers about Gruber’s intentions and background at the same pace as the viewers.
2 No Argyle in the Book
There is a taxi driver in Nothing Lasts Forever, but he’s nothing like Argyle (who drives a limo in the film). For one, he’s only featured in the very beginning of the book. He drives Joe to the airport as opposed to from the airport to Nakatomi Plaza and, when in front of the entrance, his car collides with another. The scene really exists just to show Joe pulling out his gun and threatening the other driver, who is quite upset about his car being damaged, simultaneously showing that Joe has a temper as well.
Christmas In Hollis
In the movie “Die Hard”, Argyle is a character who appears frequently throughout the film. Unlike the taxi driver from the book, Argyle is much younger and it’s his first day at work. He’s also quite jovial in nature. Crucially, unlike the taxi driver from the book who leaves after dropping off Joe at the airport, Argyle stays put. As instructed, he waits for John, ready to help if anything goes wrong. By the end of the film, he has successfully immobilized one of Gruber’s crew members.
1 The Book’s Devastating Ending vs. the Movie’s Hopeful Ending
In the wrap-up of Die Hard, every last villain has met their demise, Hans Gruber plummets from Nakatomi Plaza in a dramatic slow-motion descent, and John McClane embraces Holly as we stroll towards an idyllic sunset, symbolizing the epitome of contentment. On the other hand, Nothing Lasts Forever’s ending is downright grim. (As a movie enthusiast, I’ve always appreciated the contrast between these two films.)
Wouldn’t Have Worked in a Blockbuster
In the movie “Die Hard”, Holly manages to make it through the ordeal. Leland shoots Gruber, causing him to plummet from the Klaxon Oil Building along with Stephanie. This finale is quite poignant and it’s challenging to envision such a conclusion in a film designed for widespread appeal.
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2024-10-20 02:31