Die Hard Quotes

The best quotes from Die Hard (1988). Add more and vote on your favourites!

This is not the first time McClane talks to himself. And it certainly won't be the last. His snarky soliloquies serve two purposes: (1) They highlight his vulnerabilities. He often talks to himself in quiet moments and particularly dire situations, showing just how alone and up you-know-what creek he is.

(2) They show us that McClane's sense of identity and self worth come from a rather sarcastic place. When faced with a dicey situation, he wisecracks, rather than despairs. This is not a guy who's in touch with his feelings.

This is a guy whose snark helps him survive. Check out the different ways in which the two agents Johnson (no relation) react to the attack-on-the-roof scenario. Special Agent Johnson—the older one—is thrilled to see some action, gleefully comparing it to the (which doesn't sound like a very appealing comparison, if you ask Shmoop). The younger one, with a detached expression on his face, just chuckles.

Stellaris dev diary. Neither man seems too somber about the fact that they're heading into a situation in which innocent people might die. Desensitization much? Year walk swedish folklore. ELLIS: It's not what I want. It's what I can give you. Look, let's be straight, okay? It's obvious you're not some dumb schmuck up here to snatch some purses, am I right?GRUBER: You're very perceptive.ELLIS: I watch 60 Minutes, I say to myself, these guys are professional, they're motivated, they're happening, i.e they want something, huh?

Now personally, I couldn't care less about your politics. Maybe you're pissed off at the camel jockeys, maybe it's the Hebes, Northern Ireland, it's none of my business. I figure you're here to negotiate, am I right?GRUBER: You're amazing. You figured this all out already?ELLIS: Hey, business is business. You use a gun, I use a fountain pen. What's the difference?

MCCLANE: I read you pal. You the guy in the car?POWELL: What's left of him. Can you identify yourself?MCCLANE: Not now. This is a party line, and the neighbor's got itchy trigger fingers.

All right, here's the deal. You got 30 or so hostages on the 30th floor. The leader, his name's Hans. They got a freakin' arsenal up here. They got missiles, automatic weapons, and enough plastic explosives to orbit Arnold Schwarzenegger. They're down to nine now, countin' the skydiver you met. These guys are mostly European, judging by their clothing labels and cigarettes.

They're well-financed and very slick.POWELL: Well, now how do you know that?MCCLANE: I've seen enough phony I.D.s in my time to recognize that the ones they got must've cost a fortune. Add all that up, I don't know what the f. it means, but you got some badass perpetrators, and they're here to stay.POWELL: I hear you partner. S finest are on it, so light 'em if you've got 'em.MCCLANE: Way ahead of you, partner.