Die Hard and the Fate of American Empire
Support Us
Novara FM

Die Hard and the Fate of American Empire

Photo: ScreenProd/Photononstop/Alamy Stock Photo

Die Hard is a perennial of festive TV, but is it really a Christmas movie? James Butler and Eleanor Penny explore what the 1988 action comedy reveals about corporate power, class antagonism, mid-century terrorism and women in the workplace. Who is Bruce Willis’ shoeless cowboy cop out to rescue? And what is Hans Gruber’s vague European accent supposed to tell us?

Listen to our previous seasonal episodes with James Butler examining It’s A Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol.

Support Us
Fund truthful, independent journalism. Donate one hour’s wage per month or whatever you can afford today.

Build
 people-
  powered
   media.

Build people-powered media.

We’re up against huge power and influence. Our supporters keep us entirely free to access. We don’t have any ad partnerships or sponsored content.

Donate one hour’s wage per month—or whatever you can afford—today.
Join our supporters

We’re up against huge power and influence. Our supporters keep us entirely free to access. We don’t have any ad partnerships or sponsored content.

Donate one hour’s wage per month—or whatever you can afford—today.
Join our supporters
Build people-powered media. We’re up against obscene wealth and influence in the media. Fund independent, truthful journalism
Fund something better

We are always working to improve this website for our users. To do this we use usage data facilitated by cookies and external services. For more information read our Privacy Policy

Accept