‘Die Hard’ Is a Christmas Movie and It’s Streaming for Free in December

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As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of cinema, I can confidently say that the lives and careers of the cast of “Die Hard” are nothing short of extraordinary.

This topic has been debated for decades since Die Hard was released, but despite what naysayers believe, it is a Christmas movie. The film’s screenwriter himself Steven E. de Souza confirmed in a 2017 Tweet that the film is a Christmas flick, even if the star, Bruce Willis, passionately declared during a 2018 Comedy Central roast that Die Hard is not a Christmas movie. Nonetheless, regardless of beliefs about this national treasure of a film, yippee-ki-yay, because it’s conveniently available to stream for free via Tubi in December, just in time for Christmas!

What Is Die Hard About?

The 1988 action movie Die Hard, originally inspired by the 1979 novel Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp, features Bruce Willis as John McClane, an NYPD detective. He journeys to Los Angeles on Christmas Eve with the intention of reconciling with his estranged wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia). At her workplace’s party, he hopes to persuade her to return to him. However, while visiting the Plaza bathroom, a group led by German radical Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) takes control of the tower, taking everyone hostage except for McClane, who remains undetected.

In their relentless pursuit of $640 million in bearer bonds, Gruber and his accomplices have no qualms about taking lives. When they learn that detective John is present in the building, they dispatch someone to eliminate him. Meanwhile, as the SWAT team and FBI work from outside, it’s essentially up to John to resolve the situation. Fortunately, he proves elusive. However, when Gruber uncovers the identity of John’s spouse, the urgency escalates significantly, raising the tension to a fever pitch.

Die Hard is a heart-pounding, nerve-wracking tale where John finds himself caught in a high-stakes chase against terrorists, determined to survive, neutralize their threats, and disarm the bombs they’ve brought with them to prevent further harm – even to his wife. The film ends on a positive note, and the action-packed sequences throughout cemented Bruce Willis’ reputation as a true action movie icon.

How Was Die Hard Received?

Initially, Die Hard didn’t have lofty predictions for its box office performance. However, it went on to rake in $140 million and landed among the top 10 highest-grossing action movies of that year. Additionally, the film garnered four Academy Award nominations, catapulting both Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman into prominence as sought-after Hollywood stars.

It’s fascinating to learn that Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone were initially considered for the lead role instead of Bruce Willis, as he wasn’t well-known as an action star at the time. Instead, most of his work was on television. However, the choice proved to be a wise one, as fans now can’t picture anyone else in the role. Willis delivered his unique mix of menacing intensity and humor that has become iconic for this character. The movie seems to have paved the way for numerous similar productions that followed.

Why It’s Definitely a Christmas Movie (According to Us)

36 years following its debut, the film “Die Hard” is often hailed as one of the greatest action movies in cinema history. Time has proven its enduring quality, with viewers revisiting it frequently, particularly during the holiday season around Christmas.

Although not originally intended as a Christmas film, it takes place at Christmastime and includes the festive atmosphere as a backdrop, making it an ideal choice for holiday viewing. It offers a refreshing change from the traditional, heartwarming, family-friendly Christmas movies. This is a Christmas movie that parents can enjoy after the children have gone to bed, and later introduce to their children when they grow older.

The action-packed series, “Die Hard,” continues to thrive even after its initial movie, with a number of sequels such as “Die Hard 2” from 1990, “Die Hard with a Vengeance” in 1995, “Live Free or Die Hard” in 2007, and “A Good Day to Die Hard” in 2013. The character of John McClane and the concept have also found their way into video games, comics, and various other merchandise.

Where Is the Cast of Die Hard Today?

The Main Players

Without a doubt, Bruce Willis is undeniably the standout character from the Die Hard film series. Over the past three decades, he’s starred in numerous action flicks such as Pulp Fiction, 12 Monkeys, The Fifth Element, Armageddon, The Sixth Sense, The Expendables, Looper, and more, cementing his status as a leading action movie star. His impressive career has garnered him numerous accolades including Golden Globes, Emmy Awards, People’s Choice Awards, and even a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006. His films have collectively grossed billions, placing him among the top-10 highest-grossing lead actors in Hollywood.

Unfortunately, Willis stepped away from acting in 2022 due to aphasia. A year later, he was identified as having frontotemporal dementia and has since then been living privately, receiving love and care from his family.

In addition to his memorable roles, Alan Rickman is recognized for portraying characters such as the Sheriff of Nottingham in “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” Severus Snape across all eight “Harry Potter” films, and various other films including “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” and “Alice in Wonderland.” He was also a part of the ensemble cast in the unconventional holiday movie, “Love Actually.” Sadly, Rickman left us in 2016 at the age of 69.

Other Key Cast Members

Alexander Godunov, known for portraying Gruber’s second-in-command, Karl, was a versatile artist who combined acting and ballet dancing with the Bolshoi Ballet. One of his most notable performances was in Die Hard, although he also made appearances in several other films afterward. Tragically, he died at the young age of 45 in 1995.

Playing John’s wife, Holly, was Bonnie Bedelia, who went on to star in movies like Presumed Innocent, Sordid Lives, and Needful Things. She was also the matriarch in the NBC series Parenthood, which aired from 2010 through 2015. Bedelia, who is the aunt of actors Macaulay, Kieran, and Rory Culkin, is now 76. Her most recent roles include the 2023 movie The Hill, The 2022 TV movie The Noel Diary, and in the 2021 series Panic. She also had a five-episode arc on the series Designated Survivor.

Reginald VelJohnson is recognized as the character Carl Winslow from the ’90s sitcom Family Matters, a role he also played in Die Hard 2. More recently, VelJohnson participated in Dancing with the Stars, delighting viewers with his enthusiasm and energy for dance at the age of 72.

In a different phrasing, the character portrayed by Paul Gleason as LAPD Deputy Chief Dwayne T. Robinson was recognized for his roles on soap operas like All My Children and movies such as The Breakfast Club (where he played the principal) and Trading Places. Fans may remember him from an episode of Seinfeld, where his character helped George Costanza (played by Jason Alexander) secure a job with the New York Yankees. Prior to his passing in 2006 at the age of 67, Gleason starred in the independent film The Book of Caleb.

Stream Die Hard for free on Tubi.

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2024-11-30 23:03