This holiday classic “Die Hard” is ready for its proper place beneath the tree.

This last week of the holiday stretch is nicely aligned, as we have about a full week for the final steps of shopping, wrapping, cooking, and other various prep work. For many, the nights of activities will be accompanied by Christmas films playing as we endeavor. Kids will be watching “Home Alone on a loop as the likes of our wives and Kira Davis combing through the Hallmark movies catalog. And men have their selection as well.

The debate about the enshrinement of “Die Hard” into the Christmas holiday canon has started to solidify. Over the years we have reached the point of near-universal acceptance (not “Universal”, as this is a 20th Century Fox property.) Still, there are those holdouts who remain resistant to allowing John McClane into their homes as a yuletide pixie.  Well, I am nothing if not a peace merchant, so allow me to help dispel the contempt.

More than relying on brash insistence, I instead decide to close the case by bringing facts. Let’s get definitive. To start, below are the number of elements that support the theory. Then, to solidify things entirely, I’ll offer to you some empirical support from involved individuals. The first key in assessing things is not simply how many Christmas elements are present (pun intended) but how those actually are in service to the plot.

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Backstory: The film is centered on John McClane, a New York police officer traveling to California. He and his wife have separated and she has taken an executive position with a corporation in Los Angeles. Cue the glad tidings.

 

These are merely touchstone moments I am pointing out. But my testimony does not hold sway without a certain level of confirmation. So, in an effort to avoid being classified as a baseless excitable crank with only second-hand information, I can actually offer up corroborating witness testimony.

First, the general public displays a vested and measurable interest in the film, which spikes in December. It is streamed heavily this time of year, while also making cable television schedules. This trend is similar to other widely accepted Christmas titles.

The film was adapted by two screenwriters from the novel “Nothing Lasts Forever”, written by Roderick Thorpe. Steven E. de Souza was one of those who worked on the screenplay and he was bidden in 2017 to weigh in on the issue by Jake Tapper. After some lighthearted exchanges, a few days later the writer offered up a helpful chart that displayed his contention on the nature of this film.

Additionally, de Souza adds that during the production there was actually mention of the film being established as a holiday favorite. Producer Joel Silver was on set one day and he remarked that the film was poised to become a yearly holiday tradition. He recounts their conversation.

“While we were shooting the movie, producer Joel Silver predicted it would play perennially on television during Christmas,” recalled de Souza, who co-wrote the script with Jeb Stuart, based on a novel by Roderick Thorp. ”Seeing all the Christmas decorations, it hit me how he was probably right,” de Souza said.

That is as strong an indicator as you need — prior to its release the people behind the film’s production saw it as holiday fare. So go forth, and feel free to indulge deeply in the festivity while watching John McClane heroically save the holiday.

And for those who disputed this as a holiday classic, all that can be said is one thing — “Welcome to the party, Pal!”