Posted on 12/16/2022 10:29:36 PM PST by DallasBiff
It’s that time of year for hunkering down to watch a Christmas film with the family – and to hold the annual debate over whether or not Die Hard actually counts as one.
This debate has now become, in some film history circles, as big a question as to the meaning of “Rosebud” in Citizen Kane or whether Han Solo or Greedo shot first in Star Wars. It’s even important enough to warrant a poll from YouGov, which concluded that Die Hard is not a Christmas film.
The arguments around the “Christmassiness” of the 1988 movie revolve around three themes: creative, commercial and cultural.
The creative argument is based on the intentions of those involved in making the film. As both director John McTiernan and writer Steven De Souza have confirmed that Die Hard is a Christmas movie, then the creative case would seem very much in favour.
(Excerpt) Read more at theconversation.com ...
It’s my FAVORITE Christmas film.
#1--Someone else made the point that if one thinks that if Die Hard is a Christmas movie, then one should also consider Stalag 17 a Christmas movie.
#2--Because of this debate, I refer to Casablanca as my favorite WWII movie. It's not a war movie really, but it is certainly all about World War II.
Han fired first. The CGI of Greedo firing first is a NASA conspiracy.
What company holds it's Christmas party on Christmas Eve?
Worse in 1988 Christmas was on a Sunday, so a Christmas party, on a Saturday Night Christmas eve, sorry but no way.
“The weather outsiders Is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we have no place to go
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow”
What company holds it's Christmas party on Christmas Eve?
Worse in 1988 Christmas was on a Sunday, so a Christmas party, on a Saturday Night Christmas eve, sorry but no way.
You are posting from the deep bowels of Hollywood.
Definitely a Christmas movie, and a great one.
Definitely a Christmas film.
Would not be able to work/come together without Christmas in the film, its integral to the film and storyline.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service must be a Christmas movie too.
One of the songs is “Do You Know How Christmas Trees Are Grown?”
Nothing says Christmas like Bond’s wife taking a bullet between the eyes... :-)
It’s a Christmas movie - which reminds me to watch it again this week! Love me some Hans Gruber/Alan Rickman!
“What company”
A Japanese one in LA.
>> And point nine, the clinching argument, perhaps, is that Christmas is a socially invented tradition, <<
Nope.
@Scrabbleneck. Hey, good point.
hehe
I’m so sick of this dumb argument. This all started because some Americans thought it would be avant garde to start thinking of Die Hard as a Christmas movie to watch during family gatherings for the holiday.
The trend grew steam over the years and now we have this stupid argument every single year.
Whatever the case, I still say there are better action Christmas films than Die Hard, that also came before 1988. Lethal Weapon (1987) being my favorite, and it has more ‘Christmas-y’ stuff in it than DH.
You also have Rocky IV and The Karate Kid, both take place around Christmas and much better stories. Treat yourself to one of these instead.
There is no debate. Bruce Willis said it is “not a F***ing Christmas movie.”
End of discussion.
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