‘Die Hard’ Turns 37! Take a Look Back With Rare Behind-the-Scenes Photos of Bruce Willis and the Cast
Explosions, stunts and one iconic tank top—the iconic 1988 maybe-Christmas film like you’ve never seen it
It’s been 37 years since Die Hard was released—yes, you read that correctly, 37 years—and since the ultimate debate of whether it is a Christmas film began. The thriller movie initially had a limited release in the United States on July 15, 1988, where fans were able to see Bruce Willis in action as he saves everyone.
New York City police officer, John McClane (Bruce Willis), gets the surprise of a lifetime when he visits his estranged wife and two children on Christmas Eve. While attending a holiday party at a high-rise, terrorists take over the building, putting the lives of his family and everyone else at risk. Soon, John realizes he is the only one equipped to save the hostages.
Whether you think Die Hard is a Christmas movie or just a thriller that takes place on Christmas Eve, we have rare behind the scenes photos of the making of the movie and the cast. Get a glimpse at the cast when the camera wasn’t rolling and see how they really created the explosions and action sequences.
1. Bruce Willis and Andreas Wisniewski practice a fight sequence behind-the-scenes
Willis (R), who portrayed protagonist John McClane (L), is seen above practicing a fight scene with Andreas Wisniewski, who portrayed one of the terrorists that takes over the building.
2. Alan Rickman’s life hangs in the balance
Alan Rickman, who starred as the main villain in Die Hard, is seen hanging on the edge of a high floor. In the film, his character Hans Gruber, hangs from the edge of a high floor before falling to his death.
3. Bruce Willis and the director
Bruce Willis receives instruction from the director, John McTiernan, in between takes of filming Die Hard.
4. Behind-the-scenes of the building explosion
The explosion in the high rise is one of the main scenes of the film. But as real as it looked, the fire wasn’t real. Above is a fake portion of a high rise, which is how the film crew made that moment look so authentic.
5. Smoke break
Bruce Willis is seen relaxing and taking a cigar break behind-the-scenes of Die Hard. Filming such intense scenes, Willis certainly deserved that break!
6. Creating the building
Obviously, a film with an explosion in a building needs sets that look realistic. Above, you can see the creation of the high rise that later had a fake explosion (even though it looked totally real!)
7. Bruce Willis and his stuntman
Bruce Willis poses behind-the-scenes with stuntman Charlie Picerni, who worked with the actor on Die Hard. Willis is wearing his destroyed and bloody tank top from the film.
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
