What is the history of Die Hard?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Die Hard is an American action film series that originated with Roderick Thorp 's novel Nothing Lasts Forever.
Who are the actors in the movie Die Hard?
It is based on the 1979 novel Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp, and it stars Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Alexander Godunov, and Bonnie Bedelia. Die Hard follows New York City police detective John McClane (Willis) who is caught up in a terrorist takeover of a Los Angeles skyscraper while visiting his estranged wife.
What is the first Diedie hard movie about?
Die Hard (1988) The first film begins on Christmas Eve when McClane comes to reunite with separated wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) in Los Angeles at her company's Christmas party. Holly left to pursue her career with their two children, and uses her maiden name.
How do you get the bearer bonds in Die Hard?
Die Hard The bearer bonds are physically shown near the end of the film. When Theo manages to break six of the seven locks leading to the vault carrying the bonds, only the FBI inadvertently unlocked the seventh lock, opening the vault. The alarm sounds and Hans, Theo, Eddie and Kristoff steal the bonds, putting them in bags.
See more
What are they stealing in Die Hard 1?
In Die Hard, Hans Gruber's reasoning for taking over Nakatomi in the first place was to steal $640 million in bearer bonds from the vault.
Can you still buy bearer bonds?
Issuance of new bearer bonds has been effectively outlawed in the United States since the 1980s due to their use in illegal activities, but bearer bonds issued before this date can be redeemed if the issuer still exists.
What was in the safe in Die Hard?
The Vault of Nakatomi Plaza is the locked, highly-secured vault carrying $640 million of bearer bonds in the 30th floor of the Nakatomi Plaza. It has seven locks, which includes a code, five mechanical locks and an electromagnetic seal, which is controlled by the downtown Los Angeles power grid.
What are bearer bonds used for?
The bearer bond is a physical certificate with coupons attached that are used to redeem the interest payments. As their ownership is not registered, the owner of a bearer bond is the person in possession of it. Bearer bonds are as vulnerable as cash to theft or loss.
Do savings bonds double every 7 years?
Series EE savings bonds are a low-risk way to save money. They earn interest regularly for 30 years (or until you cash them if you do that before 30 years). For EE bonds you buy now, we guarantee that the bond will double in value in 20 years, even if we have to add money at 20 years to make that happen.
Do bearer bonds ever expire?
With a normal bond, a record of the owner is recorded and the individual receives regular payments. However, bearer bonds function like cash in that they can be owned anonymously. While a bearer bond does not expire per se, it may be hard to cash depending on who issued it.
How much were the bearer bonds worth in Die Hard?
You can clearly see the character of Leo fan the bearer bonds once they enter the vault in the third act, revealing they're initially valued at $100,000.
How much money was in the safe in Die Hard?
Die Hard (1988) At the fictional Nakatomi Plaza, East German terrorists break in and take the celebrants hostage. McClane escapes detection and hides throughout the building. He kills off the gang and learns their real plan, to steal $640 million in bearer bonds from the building's vault.
Is Die Hard appropriate for a 14 year old?
Wondering if Die Hard is ok for kids? If you watch an unedited version, just be aware that Die Hard is rated R for strong language, some nudity, and violence and is not appropriate for kids.
What are bearer bonds worth in real life?
How much are Bearer Bonds worth in GTA Online's The Cayo Perico Heist? The Cayo Perico Heist's Bearer Bonds are worth $1,100,000 on normal difficulty while being valued at $1,210,000 on the harder version in GTA Online. This potential take makes it more worthwhile than the Ruby Necklace or a Sinsimito Tequila.
Why are bearer bonds so valuable?
Advantages Of Bearer Bond The principal amount of the bond is received promptly as of the date of maturity. Bearer bonds are also easily transferable. As such, anonymity can be maintained with bearer bonds. For this reason, bearer bonds proved popular with wealthy investors who valued privacy.
How much is a bearer bond worth?
Bearer bonds also have the value and interest payments printed on them. Many bonds are valued at $5,000. Each bond will have “coupons” that denote an interest payment and redemption date.
Are bearer bonds worth anything?
Bearer bonds also have the value and interest payments printed on them. Many bonds are valued at $5,000. Each bond will have “coupons” that denote an interest payment and redemption date.
Are bearer bonds legal in UK?
UK companies will be prohibited from issuing bearer shares. and have them exchanged for registered shares.
How much do bearer bonds give?
GTA Online players can earn either $1,100,000 or $1,210,000 from Bearer Bonds for the normal or hard difficulties, respectively. The Cayo Perico Heist's Bearer Bonds are valued in the middle of what players could possibly earn: Sinsimito Tequila: $900,000 (normal) or $990,000 (hard)
Are bearer bonds taxable?
Bearer bonds were eventually made obsolete in the United States as part of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982. The Act did not specifically outlaw the bonds, but it removed the tax deduction for the interest paid by the issuer.
What was Willis' first day on set?
Willis's first day on set was on November 2, 1987 . He came straight from filming Moonlighting to shoot one of his most pivotal scenes, where McClane leaps from a rooftop as it explodes behind him, saved only by a length of firehose. Willis found acting in Die Hard difficult because it differed from previous experiences in that he was often alone, not having any personal encounters with others. He did not spend much time with the rest of the cast between takes, opting to spend it with his new partner, Demi Moore. In contrast to their on-screen dynamics, Bedelia and VelJohnson spent most of their time between scenes with Rickman.
How many Die Hard sequels were made?
The success of Die Hard spawned four film sequels, beginning with Die Hard 2 in 1990, which was rushed into production to capitalize on the original's popularity. Stuart and McTiernan did not return for the film; McTiernan was replaced by Renny Harlin. Die Hard 2 is the last film in the series to feature the involvement of De Souza, Bedelia, VelJohnson, Atherton, Silver, and Gordon. Silver and Gordon fell out with each other and Willis after filming concluded, delaying the production of a third film— Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995). This sequel also took longer to develop because of the difficulty in scripting an original scenario that had not already been used by one of Die Hard ' s many imitators. McTiernan returned to direct Die Hard with a Vengeance; his only other film in the series. The film's plot pits McClane against Hans Gruber's brother, Simon ( Jeremy Irons ).
How long did it take for the movie Die Hard to take place?
In Stuart's original script, Die Hard took place over three days, but McTiernan was inspired to have it take place over a single night like Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
What is the movie Die Hard based on?
Die Hard is a 1988 American action film directed by John McTiernan and written by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza. It is based on the 1979 novel Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp, and it stars Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, ...
How much did the movie Die Hard make?
Defying predictions, Die Hard grossed approximately $140 million, becoming the year's tenth-highest-grossing film and the highest-grossing action film. Receiving four Academy Award nominations, it elevated Willis to leading-man status and made Rickman a celebrity.
When was Dynamite Deka released?
In 1997, the Japanese arcade game Dynamite Deka was redesigned and released in western territories as Die Hard Arcade. Players choose either McClane or secondary character Chris Thompsen to battle through Nakatomi Plaza, defeat terrorists led by White Fang, and rescue the President's daughter.
What is the name of the movie that was released in 1990?
It created a franchise comprising the sequels Die Hard 2 (1990), Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), Live Free or Die Hard (2007), and A Good Day to Die Hard (2013), plus video games, comics, and other merchandise.
Why are bearer bonds used?
Bearer bonds, because they are unregistered, are technically owned by whoever is holding them. Because they were produced in denominations higher than common currency ($640,000,000 issues in the Nakatomi vault ), they were often used to more easily transfer exorbitant sums of money.
Why did Hans Gruber take over Nakatomi?
In Die Hard, Hans Gruber 's reasoning for taking over Nakatomi in the first place was to steal $640 million in bearer bonds from the vault.
What is a bearer bond?
Bearer Bonds. Bearer Bonds in Nakatomi Plaza. American Bearer Bonds are a debt security issued by a business entity, such as a corporation, or by a government. It differs from the more common types of debt securities in that it is unregistered – no records are kept of the owner (i.e. Joe Takagi ), or the transactions involving ownership.
Who steals the bearer bonds?
The alarm sounds and Hans, Theo, Eddie and Kristoff steal the bonds, putting them in bags. While Hans is packing the bag with bearer bonds inside, Holly calls him "nothing but a common thief". Kristoff runs with one bag before he is knocked out by John McClane, and Hans and Eddie stop packing their bags of bearer bonds to deal with McClane.
How did McClane explain the situation?
While acquiring a two-way radio, C4 explosives, and detonators from the body of one terrorist, McClane explained the situation via the two-way radio as the police , led by Deputy Police Chief Dwayne T. Robinson, arrived. The police sent in a SWAT team and an armored vehicle. McClane and Powell aware unable to prevent the SWAT team from being ambushed, but McClane managed to kill the terrorists attacking the SWAT team. One of Holly's coworkers, Harry Ellis, tried to negotiate with Hans and McClane for the return of the detonators. McClane helplessly tells Ellis that Hans would kill him, to which Hans proves when Ellis fails. Hans the talks to the police over the radio, demanding the release of several comrades-in-arms imprisoned around world: seven members of the New Provo front, five leaders of the Liberte de Quebec, and nine members of the Asian Dawn movement. The FBI arrived, and took control from the police. They ordered the power to the building shut down, which deactivates the vault's final lock as Gruber had intended. Theo ransacks the now-open vault, loading the bearer bonds into an ambulance to be used as their getaway vehicle.
How did Hans kill Takagi?
After repeatedly denying that he knew the code, Takagi bravely asserted that they were just going to have to kill him. Unfortunately, Hans agreed, and killed Takagi by a single shot to the head from his weapon of choice, a Heckler & Koch P7M13 semi-automatic pistol. After that, he ordered Theo to break through the locks on the vault. Theo reminded Hans that the final lock is powered by circuits that cannot be cut locally. Gruber promised to handle the last lock.
What was Hans von der Volksfrei?
As mentioned before, Hans was originally a member of the German terrorist organization the Volksfrei movement , until he was expelled. Now only concerned with personal gain, he concocted an elaborate robbery scheme using a terrorist pretense as a cover to manipulate the authorities with his plan.
Why did Hans prefer to switch between a casual persona and an intimidating one?
Hans preferred to switch between a casual persona and an intimidating one in order to surprise people with his next move, as he had many different tricks up his sleeve. This is the main dilemma of the film, as Hans and John are both trying to stay one step ahead of each other in a battle of wits. Hans had a casual attitude to killing as shown when he murdered Takagi and Ellis and intended to murder the staff of Nakatomi which included a pregnant woman whom he was aware of.
What was the purpose of Hans's robbery?
Now only concerned with personal gain, he concocted an elaborate robbery scheme using a terrorist pretense as a cover to manipulate the authorities with his plan. He led his gang of 13 thieves to Los Angeles, California on Christmas Eve where a party of employees was being held to take control of the Nakatomi Plaza. Although protected by several code based lock mechanisms, Hans and his team were after the $640 million in negotiable Bearer Bonds that were being held in a high-security vault. In addition to the first six locks, the vault was protected by one last lock which was electromagnetically sealed, and could only be opened by a complete loss of power to the building, which Hans had also planned for. The prior is the main reason Hans had made the situation look like a terrorist plot rather than a straight robbery. If the authorities had known the team were after the contents of the vault, the power wouldn't have been cut, and the vault never would have been opened.
What happened after Tony was killed?
After killing Tony, Karl screams in anger and toss the office desk down, causing Hans to pushes him into the wall and tells him not to alter their plan. McClane used Tony's walkie-talkie to radio for help. This resulted in a cop car being sent over. The officer, Al Powell, did a quick check over, and left.
Where does Hans Gruber fall from?
Hans Gruber falls from the 30th floor of the Nakatomi building.
What year was the movie Die Hard with a Vengeance?
Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995) In the third film, McClane is back in New York City, separated from his wife, suspended from the police force, and a borderline alcoholic.
How many stars did the original Die Hard 2 have?
Despite only giving the original film two stars, critic Roger Ebert gave this film three and a half stars and called it "terrific entertainment". James Berardinelli called the film "somewhat-muddled but still entertaining". Peter Travers wrote that "however impressively made, Die Hard 2 begins to wear thin".
What is the movie Live Free or Die Hard based on?
Live Free or Die Hard was based on the 1997 article "A Farewell to Arms" written for Wired magazine by John Carlin. It also drew on a script 20th Century Fox owned called "WW3.com", which dealt with a massive cyberterrorism attack against the U.S. and which was nearly put into production in 2001 but ultimately abandoned because several elements in the story too closely resembled the September 11 attacks .
How many Die Hard movies are there?
Die Hard is an American action film series that originated with Roderick Thorp 's novel Nothing Lasts Forever. All five films revolve around the main character of John McClane, a New York City / Los Angeles police detective who continually finds himself in the middle of a crisis where he is the only hope against disaster. The films have grossed a combined $1.4 billion worldwide.
When did 24 Live Another Day come out?
Instead, the Studio chose to reincarnate 24 in limited edition as 24: Live Another Day (homage to Live Free or Die Hard ), which premiered in May 2014 and ended that July. By 2015, Die Hard 4.0 director Len Wiseman's self-penned prequel/sequel origin story idea called John McClane gained traction.
Where is A Good Day to Die Hard set?
A Good Day to Die Hard (2013) The fifth and final film is set a few years later, mostly in Moscow, Russia and Chernobyl ( Pripyat ), Ukraine. McClane finds out that his estranged son John "Jack" McClane, Jr. ( Jai Courtney) was arrested in Moscow for murder.
When was the second Die Hard movie?
Die Hard 2 (1990) Main article: Die Hard 2. The second film takes place two years after the first, again on Christmas Eve of 1989. In Washington, D.C., McClane waits for his wife at Washington Dulles International Airport.
Why did John McTiernan pass on Die Hard?
And not just once, but on a few different occasions. His reason was that the material just seemed too dark and cynical for him. “The original screenplay was a grim terrorist movie,” McTiernan told Empire magazine in 2014.
What did Willis wear in Die Hard?
In 2007, Willis donated the blood-soaked tank top he wore in Die Hard to the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian. 29. Die Hard 's famous “Yippee-ki-yay" line stole the movie. It was a simple line: “Yippee-ki-yay, motherf*cker!”.
How many Emmys did Bruce Willis have?
Following the success of the film, the action genre really became Willis’s bread and butter, and although he has two Emmys for his comedy work, it has remained as such to this day. 9. Bruce Willis was barely even seen on the posters for Die Hard. 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.
Why did Bruce Willis not get the role in Die Hard?
The first few times Bruce Willis was asked to star in the movie, he had to say no because of his commitments to Moonlighting. Then costar Cybill Shepard announced that she was pregnant.
What movie inspired the movie Die Hard?
Die Hard was inspired by The Towering Inferno. The idea for Nothing Lasts Forever was inspired John Guillermin’s 1974 disaster flick The Towering Inferno. After seeing the film, Thorp had a dream about a man being chased through a skyscraper by a group of men with guns.
How many sequels does Die Hard have?
In addition to its four sequels, Die Hard has spawned video games and comic books, too.
How long does it take to die hard?
In the original script, the action in Die Hard takes place over a three-day span, but McTiernan—inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream —insisted that it be condensed into a single evening.
What happens if Hans takes a bond to Brazil?
When he takes them to Brazil (or wherever) they would have no reason to presume they were the ones in the Nakatomi company’s vault. He could have gotten them anywhere. If he had stolen registered bonds, he would be arrested straight away. If it was cash, it would not only be too heavy to carry without several trucks, but it could be traced through serial numbers.
What is bearer bond?
A “bearer bond” is a special type of bond that doesn’t have any serial number or registration records. As such, it’s impossible to determine who owns it. The law presumes the person who has physical possession of the bond is the owner. They were developed as an investment instrument for people who didn’t want any public record of their holdings. They’re a bit dodgy in that respect and can help rich people avoid inquiries as to their wealth. However, they have been around quite a while.
Where is the Nakatomi vault?
The Nakatomi Corporation, for reasons that shall remain vague, have $500 million in bearer bonds in a vault in their Los Angeles headquarters.
Why is the book "Die Hard" called "Die Hard"?
Thus, DIE HARD was named DIE HARD because they did’t want to use the book title NOTHING LASTS FOREVER, so Joel Silver asked Shane Black to give him the original title of his THE LAST BOY SCOUT script— DIE HARD.
Did McClane stop the robbers?
His actions almost led to the terrorists/robbers plan succeeding. McClane did nothing to stop the actual robbery, nor was he able to free the hostages. At best, he alerted the authorities and trimmed down the number of terrorists. However he also didn’t do anything that might have prevented the terrorists from destroying the building as they had planned.
Is the story of Die Hard Oral History confirmed?
Note: This story is actually confirmed in the Die Hard Oral History book as well. But who needs that when you can get it from one of the writers who actually worked on the film?
Is "die hard" a common phrase?
That’s the most direct answer to this question. Die Hard was a common phrase well before the battery. And even once the term was used for the battery, it’s clear that for whatever reason (obvious reasons in my mind), the words Die and Hard together is pretty badass.
Overview
Production
The development of Die Hard began in 1987, when screenwriter Jeb Stuart was in dire financial straits. His script purchased by Columbia Pictures had been abandoned and a contract at Walt Disney Pictures was not providing him with sufficient income. Stuart had six weeks between contracted work so his agent Jeremy Zimmer contacted Lloyd Levin, the head of development at the Gordon …
Plot
On Christmas Eve, New York City Police Department (NYPD) Detective John McClane arrives in Los Angeles, hoping to reconcile with his estranged wife, Holly, at a party held by her employer, the Nakatomi Corporation. He is driven to Nakatomi Plaza by a limo driver, Argyle, who offers to wait for McClane in the garage. While McClane changes clothes, the tower is seized by German radical Hans Gruber and his heavily armed team, including Karl and Theo. Everyone in the tower …
Cast
• Bruce Willis as John McClane, a New York City police detective
• Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber, the ruthless leader of the terrorists
• Alexander Godunov as Karl, Gruber's second-in-command
• Bonnie Bedelia as Holly Gennero-McClane, a high-ranking Nakatomi executive and John's estranged wife
Stunts and designs
The perception of film stunts changed shortly before production of Die Hard following a fatal accident on the set of Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983), and a push was made to prioritize a film's crew over the film itself. Even so, Willis insisted on performing many of his own stunts, including rolling down steps and standing on top of an active elevator. The first scene he shot was his leap from the top of Nakatomi Plaza with a firehose wrapped around his waist. The stunt involved a 2…
Release
The summer of 1988 was expected by film industry executives to be dominated by action and comedy films, although a broader range of films were released that year. More films targeted older audiences rather than teenagers, a reflection of the increasing age of the average audience member. Sequels to successful films, Crocodile Dundee II and Rambo III, were predicted to control the May box office and break opening weekend revenue records. Industry executives also had h…
Reception
Initial critical reviews of Die Hard were mixed. Audiences reacted more positively; polls by the market research firm CinemaScore found that audiences gave it an average rating of "A+" on an A+ to F scale.
McTiernan's direction was praised. In the Chicago Tribune, Dave Kehr wrote that McTiernan's "logical" direction created a sense of scale in the film that made it seem more significant than its …
Post-release
Die Hard was released on Video Home System (VHS) cassette in January 1989. It was a popular rental, debuting as the third-most rented film on the early February rental charts, rising to number one the following week. It spent six of its first seven weeks in release at number one until it was replaced by A Fish Called Wanda at the end of March. By 1997, it was estimated to have earned $36 million from rentals.