Families gather every year to enjoy the classic Christmas films – it’s A Wonderful Life Miracle On 34th Street home Alone and love actually.
Die HardTHE STRETCH is a film that has consistently divided opinion. The 1988 action thriller starring Bruce Willis is on many Christmas playlists. But the question remains – is this movie a true Christmas one?
It’s a holiday classic that isn’t what you expect
Die Hard is the story of NYPD Officer John McClane, played by Bruce Willis. McClane arrives on Christmas Eve in Los Angeles to reunite with his estranged spouse at her holiday party.
When a terrorist group led by Alan Rickman (Hans Gruber) seizes and holds hostages in the party building, it turns chaos. McClane is the unlikely hero who takes on terrorists in order to rescue his wife and partygoers.
Although the movie was first released in the United States in July of 1988, it is considered a holiday film by many because its setting on Christmas Eve, the references to the holidays, and the festive soundtrack.
Some dismiss the film as an action movie that just happens to be set during the holidays.
Robert Davi’s evolving perspective on Die Hard
Robert Davi’s voice has been added to the discussion by the actor who played FBI Agent Big Johnson. Davi, who was initially skeptical of the film’s ability to be a holiday movie, has now changed his mind.
Davi confessed in an interview with The Mirror that “When I was first doing it, it didn’t seem like a Christmas film back then. It’s a Christmas movie. It’s set during Christmas. “It’s a popular Christmas movie – a favorite of many.”
Davi cited the re-release of the movie in the theaters at Christmas as proof that it has a longstanding association with holidays.
Re-evaluating the festival and cultural impact
Die Hard has many holiday-themed elements, which fans emphasize to prove that it is a Christmas film.
Let It Snow” is one of the seasonal tunes on the soundtrack. The soundtrack includes seasonal songs like “Let It Snow!” and “Christmas in Hollis” by Run-D.M.C. Run-D.M.C.’s “Christmas in Hollis”, and Let It Snow!
The film is filled with Christmas decorations and dialog that refers to the holidays.
McClane using festive tape to attach a gun on his back is an iconic moment for Die Hard fans. It culminates in McClane saying his famous lines:
Now, I’ve got a machine-gun. Ho-ho-ho.
The director and the star have different opinions
John McTiernan has also commented on this debate.
McTiernan, in a 2020 interview with the American Film Institute, revealed that the movie wasn’t originally intended to be viewed as a holiday film, but its success transformed it.
McTiernan stated that “the joy it brought to the viewer is what made it a Christmas film,” suggesting the perception of the audience plays an important role in the identity of the movie.
Bruce Willis is adamant that Die Hard shouldn’t be classified as Christmas film.
The actor said, during Comedy Central’s Roast of Bruce Willis 2018, “Die Hard Is Not a Christmas Movie.” “It’s goddamn Bruce Willis.”
The subjective nature of genre and audience interpretation
The Die Hard controversy highlights the subjective nature in genre classification.
A Christmas film is for many people any movie that has a festive spirit, or one they watch as part of their annual holiday tradition.
This definition includes Die Hard if it has a Christmas theme and is set in a holiday setting.
Some people believe that the best Christmas films must focus on themes such as family, love and redemption.
These qualities are embodied in films like A Christmas Carol, The Elf, whereas Die Hard is more geared towards suspense and violence.
What is a good Christmas film?
This debate over Die Hard is a reflection of larger issues about the categorization of movies.
Many films defy their original genre labels.
Gremlins, for example, combines horror with holiday spirit.
The critics of strict genre definitions claim that the audience’s experience is what should determine a film’s identity.
Die Hard is a film that for some embodies holiday spirit with its story of resiliency, forgiveness, and unanticipated heroism.
Tradition and perception
Die Hard is a Christmas Eve tradition for many families.
The association is more concerned with shared rituals and experiences than thematic content.
This tradition is fueled by social media, where fans post memes, quotes and announcements of watch parties each December.
Die Hard merchandise such as advent calendars, Christmas ornaments, and other products featuring Hans Gruber’s famous fall from Nakatomi Plaza reinforces the movie’s place in pop culture.
Die Hard is not a suitable Christmas film
Detractors of Die Hard insist that the movie’s main identity is as an action film, despite strong arguments to support it.
The story takes place during the Christmas season, but the setting of the holidays is not integral to the plot.
Film purists claim that Die Hard does not have the warmth or moral lesson associated with classic holiday films.
Die Hard is based on explosions and shootouts, unlike It’s A Wonderful Life which emphasizes community, compassion, and second opportunities.
Discussions without a clear conclusion
Die Hard is approaching its 36th birthday, but the controversy over whether it should be considered a holiday movie continues to rage.
The film is a classic, whether you consider it a Christmas movie or an action-packed thriller. Its popularity continues to grow.
The answer could ultimately lie with the person who is looking at it.
For those who love Die Hard and want to include it in their Christmas traditions, this will be the movie of choice. But for others, there are plenty of other options.
Is Die Hard A Christmas Movie? As updates are made, the debate may change.
