It has become apparent that there are still too many people who do not recognise Die Hard as a legitimate Christmas film. (There are also too many people who don't recognise its greatness anyway, but that's a different post topic).
The point is: Die Hard is as much a Christmas film as Home Alone or Lethal Weapon (yes). Below is a very short list of Christmas indicators within the film, so that you too can fight the ignorance this Christmas:
- First, and most obviously, the setting is a Christmas Party on Christmas Eve, at the Nakatomi Building. Case closed already, to be fair
- Sleighbells are audible in the opening credits. Sleighbells are very Christmassy
- Takagi wishes the employees a Merry Christmas. Because it's Christmas
- Holly: "You're making me feel like Scrooge." A reference to classic Christmas literature
- Holly: "We'll see what Santa and Mummy can do." Santa. He's kinda connected to Christmas
- Argyle: [Puts on RUN DMC - Christmas in Hollis]. John: "Do you have any Christmas music?" Argyle: "This IS Christmas music!" Aaah, Christmas music for a Christmas film
- John whistles Jingle Bells on his way to the lift (elevator). See above
- John sends Tony down in lift, dead, with "Now I have a machine gun. Ho-Ho-Ho" written in pen on his jumper. Tony is wearing a Christmas hat. This one is subtle
- Powell hums "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow" as he buys Twinkies on his way to the Nakatomi building. See above but one
- After Powell is called to the Nakatomi building for the first time, he leaves, wishing the bogus security guard a Merry Christmas. He then starts to sing "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow" again as he walks to his car. They could only afford limited music, I guess
- Theo: [watching the SWAT team approach] "'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, except the four assholes coming in the rear in standard 2 by 2 cover formation." Something about Christmas
- Hans: "It's Christmas, Theo! It's the time of miracles. So be of good cheer and call me when you hit the last lock." Even Hans gets in on the act
- Theo [on opening the Nakatomi safe]: "Merry Christmas." Not technically accurate by Theo here, but relevant to the point I'm making
- Dwayne : "Holy Christ. We're gonna need some more FBI guys, I guess." Well if that's not a Christmas wish, I don't know what is. In a later scene he can be seen writing this on a letter to Santa (possibly)
- John's use of Christmas-themed parcel tape to secure the pistol to his back whilst rescuing Holly. If there were no Christmas-themed parcel tape, John would be dead. Simple
- "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow" plays over the closing credits. What other song would it be?
You're welcome.
