1.Let It Snow!
While it introduced the wonderful song Let It Snow to the masses during its end credits, in this early scene, Sgt. Al Powell is actually humming the tune (with muzak in the store) as he picks up an armful of Twinkies for his pregnant wife. Right. Bag ‘em, big time!
2. Happy Birthday
Lest we forget, Christmas as a holiday represents the birth of Jesus Christ. Throughout the course of its two-hour running time, Die Hard reminds us of this many, many times.
3. Yum yum
Christmas is a time of unnecessary gorging of food and treats in particular. Even your average terrorist/thief such as Uli here cannot resist the lure of chocolate at this special time.
4. Subtle Santa
While the scene in which John McClane looks wistfully at a large Santa just prior to sending Karl’s dead brother down in the elevator is obvious, there are many other little Santas dotted around the Nakatomi Plaza.
5. Maybe they got bored
What’s Christmas without a bit of unfinished graffiti? As Hans Gruber checks on his explosives, there’s a quick glimpse of the words ‘Merry Christ’, which is probably a little nod to the copious use of the son of our lord in the film’s script.
6. Holly
McClane’s wife is called Holly. And she’s dressed in red (kinda). Ok, not so subtle that one.
7. That’ll work
It wasn’t just Frank Sinatra singing Let It Snow - Die Hard also popularised Run DMC and its song, Christmas In Hollis. This IS Christmas music! Yet like the McClane’s experience, it’s a slightly different type of Christmas celebration.
8. Passing the time
Christmas is a time of games. Whether its Theo and Karl betting on Takagi’s intransigence or this betting chart on the wall, there’s plenty of fun being had in Die Hard!
9. Let It Snow, sort of
It snows at the end of the movie! Ok, it’s negotiable bearer bonds rather than real snow, but c’mon, it is California after all!
10. Families
McClane is trying to get home to his family. Takagi is/was a father of five. Serial shagger Ellis gets depressed and lonely. Christmas is a time for families, hopefully safely celebrating at home rather than jumping around half-built skyscrapers! Merry Jesus H. Christ everybody!
