40. Classic Dialogue #2
John McClane: "Nine million terrorists in the world and I gotta kill one with feet smaller than my sister." A classic wise-crack and lovely call out to every action film where someone disguises themselves as a guard or likewise - how does the hero always seem to knock-out the bad guy with the same measurements? And its not just a nice gag; the bare feet will pay off in a much tougher way later on.
39. Bruce Willis
Die Hard works brilliantly for so many reasons, as I hope this list will prove, but you cant underestimate the supreme casting of Bruce Willis. Far more famous for his comic turn in TVs Moonlighting, Bruce plays John as the everyman - not a superhero, and as a result he lends an air of believability to an extraordinary situation. Its a lovely performance, encompassing humour, action, regret, rage and a whole lot more in-between. Above all, he brings a fragility to the role, where we just arent sure how (or if) hes going to make it out unscathed, and in the process creates one of cinemas best underdogs.
38. Classic Dialogue #3
Hans Gruber: "I wanted this to be professional, efficient, adult, cooperative. Not a lot to ask. Alas, your Mr. Takagi did not see it that way... so he won't be joining us... for the rest of his life. We can go any way you want it. You can walk out of here or be carried out. But have no illusions. We are in charge. So, decide now, each of you. And please remember: we have left nothing to chance." Hans speech to the hostages, to keep them in check, is wonderful. Corny in the hands of many rent-a-goon actors, but delivered by a proper theatre actor, its laced with glorious menace. Even the fact he's tucking into party food just adds to the dread. It should be perfect, but thanks to John, its not quite.
37. Christmas Present
This one is all in the timing, creating a beautifully edited moment thats as amusing as it is gruesome. Hans speech ends on we have left nothing to chance just as John has sent Tony down in the lift complete with Santa hat and that lovely message on his chest Now I have a machine gun. Ho. Ho. Ho. Rickmans delivery is superb. Its a defining moment of the film - the perfect terrorist plot being ruined by a fly in the ointment. Funny, gory, and surprising, its also one of the best Christmas moments in a film that isnt explicitly about Christmas. The pan up to show that John is on top of the elevator taking notes is a corker too, a subtle way to raise the tension further.
36. Classic Dialogue #4
Fast forward to John on the roof as he attempts to contact the police, and we get our first glimpse at how useless the authorities are. John is told to get off the line and his exasperated response is classic (and because were not an 18 certificate site, Ive gone with a edited for TV version of his line):
Supervisor: "Attention, whoever you are, this channel is reserved for emergency calls only."
John McClane: "No flipping shucks, lady. Does it sound like I'm ordering a pizza?" Its an exchange that sums up the whole situation. No-one is riding to the rescue John; its you against the terrorists. Oh, and look out behind you...