EPISODE · Dec 28, 2017 · 1H 28M
Die Hard • The Next Reel
from The Next Reel Film Podcast · host TruStory FM
"Now I have a machine gun. Ho-ho-ho." ‘Tis the holiday season, and what better way to kick it off than with everybody’s favorite Christmas action classic, Die Hard. John McTiernan had done Predator beforehand and proved he was the perfect person to helm this action thriller. But would an adaptation from a book about terrorism make for entertaining summer fare? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our Die Hard series with McTiernan’s 1988 blockbuster Die Hard. We talk about the adaptation from the original novel and why the terrorism elements were dropped in favor of the robbery elements. We also talk about why Frank Sinatra was the first person the studio went to when offering actors the chance to play John McClane. We look at what the film did for Bruce Willis’ career and why he was such a gamble to helm an action thriller that now seems like such a no-brainer. We discuss Jan de Bont’s cinematography and Michael Kamen’s score, not to mention the wonderful effects work that Thaine Morris put together. And we chat about the legacy the film has had and how it made pitching similar action films so easy (it’s Die Hard on a (fill in the blank)). We love this movie which we definitely think is a Christmas movie. It’s one of our favorites and we’re thrilled to get a chance to talk about it. Put the movie on with the age-appropriate family for the holiday (definitely not the three-year-olds) then tune in to the show! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins. Film SundriesWatch this film: iTunes • Amazon • NetflixScriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkArt of the TitleNothing Lasts Forever by Roderick ThorpFlickchartLetterboxdDie Hard — Music Video — GuyzNiteSupport The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible
What this episode covers
"Now I have a machine gun. Ho-ho-ho." ‘Tis the holiday season, and what better way to kick it off than with everybody’s favorite Christmas action classic, Die Hard. John McTiernan had done Predator beforehand and proved he was the perfect person to helm this action thriller. But would an adaptation from a book about terrorism make for entertaining summer fare? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our Die Hard series with McTiernan’s 1988 blockbuster Die Hard. We talk about the adaptation from the original novel and why the terrorism elements were dropped in favor of the robbery elements. We also talk about why Frank Sinatra was the first person the studio went to when offering actors the chance to play John McClane. We look at what the film did for Bruce Willis’ career and why he was such a gamble to helm an action thriller that now seems like such a no-brainer. We discuss Jan de Bont’s cinematography and Michael Kamen’s score, not to mention the wonderful effects work that Thaine Morris put together. And we chat about the legacy the film has had and how it made pitching similar action films so easy (it’s Die Hard on a (fill in the blank)). We love this movie which we definitely think is a Christmas movie. It’s one of our favorites and we’re thrilled to get a chance to talk about it. Put the movie on with the age-appropriate family for the holiday (definitely not the three-year-olds) then tune in to the show! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins. Film SundriesWatch this film: iTunes • Amazon • NetflixScriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkArt of the TitleNothing Lasts Forever by Roderick ThorpFlickchartLetterboxdDie Hard — Music Video — GuyzNiteSupport The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and Movements<a...
NOW PLAYING
Die Hard • The Next Reel
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Mar 26, 2026 ·1m
Mar 19, 2026 ·34m
Feb 18, 2026 ·11m
Feb 11, 2026 ·45m