For a long long time, Bruce Willis’ Die Hard has been a big point of contention among two groups, one who argues that it is a Christmas movie and the other who fervently refuses to acknowledge that it is one. Although it has been years since the first movie came out, the debates have continued with a vigorous passion each year.
However, what most people don’t know is that the movie was itself inspired by one Christmas classic, as the director John McTiernan himself revealed in an interview. Talking to the American Film Institute, he stated that it was It’s A Wonderful Life that helped create one of the best action franchises of all time.
Die Hard Was Inspired By A 1946 Christmas Classic
Die Hard features Bruce Willis‘ character John McClane whose wife’s work Christmas Eve party turns into a hostage situation as terrorists infiltrate the high-rise hotel, prompting McClane to take action. The only ‘Christmasy’ thing about the movie is that the events began on the eve of the celebrated holiday at a party. But the rest of the movie hardly has anything to do with the festival.
However, despite it being an explosive action thriller, the $1.4 billion Die Hard franchise was indeed inspired by the 1946 Christmas classic called It’s A Wonderful Life. While talking to the American Film Institute, director John McTiernan revealed the inspiration behind the heart-stopping thriller,
“Specifically, the Pottersville sequence. Which is what happens when the evil banker gets to do what he wants in the community without George getting in the way to stop it. And it’s the clearest demonstration and criticism of runaway, unregulated cowboy capitalism that’s ever been done in an American movie.”
Adding on, he stated that, unlike other action films, Willis’ character McClane is a working-class hero through and through, much like It’s A Wonderful Life’s George Bailey.
Also Read: Bruce Willis’ First Blockbuster Die Hard is a Christmas Movie and These 5 Reasons Will Convince You
Despite Being Inspired By A Christmas Movie, Die Hard Is Not Intended To Be One
Bruce Willis, when he was well and still active in the film industry had remarked during Cmedy Central’s Roast of Bruce Willis, Die Hard is not a Christmas movie! It’s a goddamn Bruce Willis movie! (via The Hollywood Reporter). While the latter part of the statement is true, many would not agree with the first part.
This is because, despite the director John McTiernan initially not intending for Die Hard to be a Christmas movie, his inspiration from one of the most beloved Christmas classics resulted in its unexpected classification as such (via American Film Institute).
“We hadn’t intended [Die Hard] to be a Christmas movie. But the joy that came from it is what turned it into a Christmas movie. And that’s really the best I can tell you about it.”
Well, it might have become a Christmas movie now (or not), but Die Hard is indeed one of the best action movies of all time.
Die Hard franchise can be rented on YouTube.
