Released in 1988, the feature film Die Hard (Crystal Trap) is the source of a debate still active today among many moviegoers: is it a Christmas film?
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Raising passions every year, especially during the holiday season, this question may have finally found its answer. Indeed, film historian and author Jeremy Arnold was asked about this by CNN host Jake Tapper and the expert’s answer was unequivocal: Die Hard IS a Christmas movie.
The feature film can also be found in Mr. Arnold’s new book “Christmas in The Movies”.
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According to the author, the film starring Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman is a holiday classic, in part because the story begins like many other films of the genre.
“It’s the story of a dysfunctional family trying to reconcile at Christmas,” explains the film historian.
The host also points out that the protagonist’s wife is called Holly, which strengthens the link between the film and Christmas. Moreover, in the novel that inspired the feature film, the female character featured is named Stephanie and not Holly.
Although the main story of the film revolves around the hostage-taking of a group of thieves/terrorists, the story of the main character is linked to the theme of reconciliation, mentions Jeremy Arnold.
“But the Christmas theme is used in several ways throughout the film,” he explains. The dialogues, the settings, the soundtrack and the sound effects.
“Now I have a machine gun, Ho! Ho! Ho!”, quotes host Jake Tapper, to support his guest’s words.
“Christmas serves a lot to lighten the mood of Die Hard. It’s a violent film, but it’s not cruel or unpleasant violence. It’s jovial and full of spirit,” says Mr. Arnold.
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Furthermore, the host adds that the moment where the hero triumphs requires the use of sticky paper which was on site due to the presence of Christmas gifts. Without the context of the Holidays, the outcome would not have been the same.
“If Die Hard were set at a different time of year, the plot would still work, but the Christmas theme reinforces the emotions and traditions we associate with the Holidays; she intensifies them […] Die Hard could take place on another date, but it would not be the same film,” argues film historian Jeremy Arnold.