Some say it’s not Christmas until they see snow. Others say it isn’t Christmas until after Black Friday. I say it isn’t Christmas until I see Hans Gruber get thrown off of Nakatomi Plaza and “Ho-ho-ho, now I have a machine gun” get written on a dead terrorist.
“Die Hard” is a Christmas movie, no matter what anyone says. I think that there are four rules that make a Christmas movie. One, the plot must be influenced by Christmas. Two, the words Merry Christmas, a reference to Christmas or another version of it must be said. Three, there must be Christmas decor or imagery within the movie. Fourth and finally, though this isn’t a need, a Christmas song should accompany the soundtrack. So, let’s break down “Die Hard” and how it meets all the rules.
The plot of “Die Hard” follows a New York cop, John McClane, flying to Los Angeles to be with his estranged wife Holly and their kids. Holly invites John to her office Christmas party at Nakatomi Plaza. During the party, terrorists seize the building and take hostages. That leads McClane to undertake saving his wife and her coworkers. From this timeline, you can clearly see that McClane, a dedicated member of the NYPD, was only in LA to be with his family at Christmas. It was not just a random whim or visit for McClane. This is also supported by the fact that he brought a stuffed bear as a present for his kids.
Merry Christmas, or a version of it, is said multiple times in the film. McClane says it to his limo driver, Argyle; Hans Gruber says, “It’s Christmas, Theo, it’s the time of miracles”; and Theo references “The Night before Christmas.” All three times pay tribute to the fact that even though this is a “shoot ’em up” movie, it is still Christmas Eve. In the movie, both spoken and written, Christmas is mentioned a total of eighteen times, which beats out words such as “die,” “hard,” “shoot,” and “kill.” The movie must happen at Christmas because it wouldn’t make sense to happen any other time. By referencing Christmas, the writers are stating that it is a Christmas movie.
The use of Christmas decor is important in a festive movie. In this, “Die Hard” prevails once more. There are about 19 Christmas trees in the film and 15 instances of Christmas decor. That number beats out Home Alone, which had just 7 Christmas trees. By this measure, if “Die Hard” isn’t a Christmas movie, then that must mean Home Alone isn’t either.
My rule about the use of Christmas music is a give or take, but don’t worry, “Die Hard” has it. The movie’s Christmas songs include “Christmas in Hollies,” “Let it Snow,” “Jingle Bells” and “Winter Wonderland.” The character of Sgt. Al Powell hums the tune of Let it Snow as he is out on patrol before responding to Nakatomi Plaza. Another indicator is the song “Christmas in Hollies,” which Argyle is listening to in the limo while the terrorists lock down the building. It’s not the most traditional song, but it’s still a Christmas one. If these songs don’t make it a Christmas movie, then what will?
People arguing against the film being a Christmas movie often say that it was released in the summer and that it is too violent. Another film, that was released in the summer is the 1947 Christmas classic “Miracle on 34th Street.” In response to the violence argument, Kevin from Home Alone would have killed the wet bandits with his traps, but since it’s played up for jokes, people think that it’s fine. Well, if a child defending his home is okay, why isn’t a man protecting his wife any different? If Kevin can get away with it, so can McClane.
All in all, “Die Hard” proves itself to be Christmas enough. To some naysayers, Christmas enough isn’t good enough. To that, I say, if 19 Christmas trees are not Christmas enough, then what is?
Just remember what the Christmas hero “Roy Rodgers” says to Hans Gruber before saving Christmas: “Yippee-ki-yay motherf***er!” If that isn’t the holiday spirit, then I don’t know what is.