The expert says that Die Hard refers to its own category throughout the film.
Bruce Willis plays John McClane, a member of the New York police force, in the film. PDO
Die Hard is a Christmas movie, claims the film historian and author Jeremy Arnold CNNin an interview with
The question divides the nation. However, Arnold has reasons why Die Hard should be counted among the Christmas movies.
The film historian believes the disagreement is fundamentally about how people interpret words – what the term “Christmas movie” means to anyone.
– For some, it may not be a Christmas movie, and that’s ok. But for the rest of us, it (Die Hard) is, says Arnold.
Christmas lenses for the eyes
Arnold begins his argument by drawing attention Die Hard into shape. According to the historian, the structure of the film is similar to a Christmas film.
– It starts like the most typical Christmas movie of all. So that some version of a dysfunctional or estranged family tries to find reconciliation at Christmas, in this case John (Bruce Willis) and Holly McClane (Bonnie Bedelia), Arnold says.
According to Arnold, the opening directs the audience to see the entire film through Christmas lenses.
Quick references
Arnold also justifies his position by the fact that there are references to Christmas in the film. The viewer can detect Christmas references with both their eyes and ears.
– Whoa whoa whoa, now I have an automatic weapon, CNN reporter Jake Tapper snapping after Arnold’s attention.
– Exactly, says Arnold.
Although In Die Hard a lot of violence is shown, the film is not “cruel or unpleasantly violent” in the researcher’s opinion. He claims that the Christmas theme lightens the whole of the film.
Could the story be moved?
The Christmas presents take a central position in terms of the final resolution of the film.
– If Die Hard the story would take place in another season, the plot could still work, says Arnold.
– But what Christmas does is strengthen different feelings – – Christmas does it for both good and bad moments, says Arnold.