Why Alan Rickman's Hans Gruber is So Iconic - The DIE HARD Dissection, Part 5
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 26 авг 2024
- Don't have a copy of DIE HARD on hand? Get it now and help the channel grow at the same time: amzn.to/2NYDYOJ
----------------------------------------
2018 marks the thirtieth anniversary of DIE HARD-arguably one of, if not the, best action films ever made.
To celebrate this momentous occasion and the film itself, I thought it’d be cool to dig into why Die Hard works as well as it does, and how so much of that comes right down to the film’s writing.
In this episode, I look at the ingredients that made the late, great Alan Rickman's Hans Gruber such an iconic villain.
----------------------------------------
Read the screenplay here: screencraft.org...
Read the Creative Screenwriting interview with Steven E. DeSouza here: creativescreen...
----------------------------------------
Brought to you in part through the patronage of Stephanie Brelsford, Ariya Norinth, and Karen and Andrew Pawlowski.
Become a patron now at patreon.com/drunkonwriting!
----------------------------------------
Get early shows, vote on what's published, and check the full release schedule here: / drunkonwriting
Follow along on Twitter: / drunkonwritin
Follow along on Instagram: / drunkonwritin
What is amazing is that this was Alan Rickman's first movie performance and he nailed it like a pro, which he was lol.
he was a pro even before Die Hard. He got the offer for Die Hard only 2 days after he arrived in LA. That means something
This is my type of movie where I actually want the villain to win. He’s such a great villain, and probably my favorite. Go Hans! (Why’d ya have to die man)
Not John Malkovich as Mitch Leary from In The Line of Fire?
@@preving No he was smart but just too weird. Hans Gruber was amazing.
When it comes to teenage slasher movies, the older you get, the more you root for villain to massacre those obnoxious teenagers.
Everything from his mannerisms to how he calmly deals with bad situations makes Hans one of the most effective villains I've seen in an action film. Even his personal handgun speaks something about him: the Heckler & Koch pistol is a superb weapon. It is the only handgun ever made with a safety that is permanently switched on. To fire the weapon, you have to squeeze the handle in front of the grip to force the safety off and unlock the firing pin. This is quite clever because if the gun is knocked out of your hands, the safety goes back on, making it impossible to misfire upon impact. Also it is VERY accurate. Most handguns can only put 5 rounds into a 3 inch wide circle at 25 yards. The H&K can do this in way under 2 inches, which was quite a feat for the 1980s. Of course, it came at a price: when most handguns went for about $500, this one went for a whopping $950. They are still a bit rare and prized by collectors today, which unfortunately, has driven the price way beyond $1,200. The popularity of this film helped keep it notorious among collectors. Still, quite a fitting choice for Hans.
That is awesome information! Thanks for sharing!
The H&K P7 fits perfectly in Hans Gruber's Hands.
@@DrunkonWriting Then there was me who wanted Hans Gruber to win cause I love the actor Alan Rickmen and that I rarely ever see movies when the villan wins!
@@MonkeyBanjo7 Me too. Didnt you want to win Ed Harris [General Hummel] in the Rock..?
@@rebenton8112 I think i'm planning to watch that later tonight so I'll give you my option after I watch it.
This video needs more views! Hans Gruber is an awesome villain!
I got another one for you as to how McClane knew that "Bill Clay" was a terrorist; cigarettes.
McClane took a pack of cigarettes off the first terrorist he killed. The brand of cigarettes was likely European, and I read somewhere that European cigarettes are much, much stronger than American ones.
When McClane asks "Bill" if he wants a smoke, he says yes. "Bill" then smokes it as though it's nothing, since he's used to it. While if he were actually American, he would've noticed how strong they taste. That could be another thing that got suspicions going.
Oooh I like that! And thanks!
Also didn't Hans pocket the cigarette pack like it was his own ?
There's another thing you're missing: Americans hold their cigarette between their index finger and middle finger. Europeans hold their cigarettes between their index finger and thumb.
Die Hard is the gift that keeps on giving.
@@liamweaver2944 being an European on-off smoker myself, I must beg to differ. First of all, Europe is not a country, it's a continent with different countries and nationalities. The mannerisms between German, French, British, Nordics, Russians vary quite much. Being Nordic I always hold the cigarette between my middle finger and index finger, I think it's usually the more heavy smokers who tend to hold the cigarette between their thumb and index finger, because they squeeze the filter making the smoke thicker.
As for the European cigarettes being stronger, well the most popular brands of cigarettes here are the American ones - Chesterfield, Marlboro, Lucky Strike and Pall Mall. I have smoked many of them both in different European countires as well as in the States and never noticed them being any stronger.
I just love Hans😍 he is amazing,one of the best villains. Alan Rickman has brilliantly played this role. Alan has never disappointed us in negative roles. RIP Alan ,we Will love you and miss you- ALWAYS 💗💗
I have adored Alan Rickman ever since I first saw him in this movie. Not the bad guy role, HIM!! He was so gorgeous and sexy and those lips, those eyes, that very attractive slightly nasal tone when he speaks (and I HATE nasal tones, Fran Drescher and Rosie Perez make me upset at the very sound issuing from their mouths). And I will never miss Alan Rickman because I can watch all of his movies over and over again at my leisure/pleasure. Like my favorite role he played... Colonel Brandon in "Sense and Sensibility". A very good guy but still absolutely gorgeous and deeply sexy.
In my opinion, what also should have been mentioned here was Hans' treatment of Takagi, because it shows quite early in the movie that Hans is ruthless, and not above getting his own hands dirty.
Great point!
I think he may be the greatest cinematic villain. If you have a checklist of everything that makes a perfect silver screen big bad, he checks off every box. I don’t think a villain has to rule a galaxy or destroy worlds to be considered one of the best, if not *the* best.
He’s calculated, charming, witty, brilliant, and completely dangerous. He can lull you into thinking you’re in the negotiating seat, but he’s already decided you’re dead. Not to mention that man made dapper European actors a hallmark of great screen baddies. The main ingredient here though is the late great Alan Rickman. Without him Hans might have been another generic faceless bad guy disposed of in a theatrical but ultimately hollow way. Great analysis!
Happy trails, Alan ❤️
Hans was a genius. I can not believe all the hero script, the usual one man army by John MClane.
Alan Rickman was a genius
As an early teenager watching this film on VHS in the late 1980s with some family friends i developed an admiration for Alan Rickmans performance in this movie. His performance and character was refined , charasmatic as much as it was merciless and chillingly cold blooded. One of my favourite movie villans of all time !
Happy someone actually took the time to analyze a villain that is both legendary, nostalgic for so many and managed to retain a cult action flick status - and I'm glad he wasn't forgotten after all of these years with a lovely vid to show case just that! 💖
By the time they figured out what went wrong.........
We'll be sitting on a beach earning 20%!!!
My favorite line in the movie!!!!
4:11 he gives him the gun because he questioned if Gruber really was bill clay so he can test him and see if he would reveal himself
Bingo. If he was Bill Clay he'd be hanging around with John but probably hiding at the first sign of trouble. John wanted to make sure. So he put in an empty magazine to test if Bill was who he said he was.
The part where you know Hans was on a different level, was not only did he count on the FBI cutting the power. He knew they would send gunship helicopters (Because he asked for transport helicopters to the airport). Part of reason he was so focused on the detonators, is he was going to blow the roof with the hostages. While they made thier escape in the ambulance. Not only was that great planning, that was incredible anticipation. All so they could sit on a beach. Earning 20%.
How would they have gotten out? It would have taken them at least thirty minutes to get in. Did they have any exit routes?
I heard him say that since this was Alan Rickman's first movie, they probably hit him on the CHEAP.????? That is so wrong! Alan Rickman should have made as much as Willis, if not more! There were many cheesy lines in this movie and if not for Rickman, this movie would've been shit! Alan was so handsome! Love that VOICE!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
God I miss Alan Rickman 🥺🥺🥺
Damnnm. He's so hot in that movie though 🥵🥵🥵 superb acting too!!!!
Hans was hot
Moonwalker, yes he was. Alan Rickman was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Those eyes, lips, 6'1", and THAT VOICE! OMG, THAT VOICE! RIP, BEAUTIFUL ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
His watch?! Epic!
Hans Gruber makes such a great villian has to be because he's well planned but he also forces us to believe he's some left over Nazi monster from ww2. Epic!
It aint Christmas till Hans falls off of Nakatomi tower.
Best. Comment. Ever.
Awesome comments! Alan’s performed brilliantly. Unforgettable Hans Gruber.
Alan Rickman was simply perfect for the role. How I miss him😭
"There are a bunch of reasons why Hans worked so well as an antagonist." (0:24) Well, he was actually the PROtagonist- he made all the drama happen- while John McClane was the ANtagonist to all his evil plans. But then that's true of many villains- as Hitchcock put it: "if the villain is successful, the picture is successful." Ohhh, you get there by the end of your vid. Never mind ;)
If you are looking for a debonair, clever and controlled villain, Alan Rickman's Hans Gruber comes to mind.
Then there was me who wanted Hans Gruber to win cause I love the actor Alan Rickmen and that I rarely ever see movies when the villan wins!
1:13 The blonde guy looked like Stunning Steve Austin
I thought it was because why would a normal person be up where Hans was looking for the roof. And he was watching Hans looking at the wiring on the explosives?
My fave part as u mention is that Hans counted on the feds cutting the power from their predictable playbook " u ask for miracles theo I give u the f.b.i brilliant
Very perspicacious. Why so few likes?
What a word!
In my opinion that empty gun scene made Hans look alot less like a professional for a few reasons. First of all, he didn't realize the gun was empty from it's light weight, a Beretta 92F is an alloy frame gun, it's alot heavier with an empty magazine than with a full one. Second, when the gun went click he just kept pulling the trigger without racking the slide to chamber another round. Like maybe the first round was a dud or maybe the magazine is full but the chamber is empty. Third, when he realized he had been played he just froze like a deer when it sees headlights. McClane was standing next to him, he could have easily grabbed his gun and tried to wrestle that MP5 away from him. Granted, he knew that help was coming and it was just a matter of time but still, McClane could have shot him, he had already killed many of his comrades.
Compared to Nakatomi and any other big capitalist enterprise, especially the ones involved in financial speculation, Hans is the lesser evil. I root for the antagonists in this film and I wish it ended differently. It's a small thief stealing from a huge thief.
The fact that Hanz gave him a name off the board was the giveaway. If he simply made up a name he may have gotten away with it
Well you know, Karl is at the end of the book as well (not completely the same situation, but still), so I understand why they made the ending this way, but since they changed a lot in the story, this could have been left out also...
True!
I heard in the book, Joe just thought he died in the explosion.
He's sexsy
For me, McClane gave Hans an unloaded gun because he just met him, you can't fully trust someone you just met unless you're stupid. And John is not stupid, so giving Hans the gun was only a test
nice video
Thanks!
But McClane also noticed after Hans said "Clay....Bill Clay." The board and it says William Clay, so he knows Hans is lying
Why would that indicate he's lying? Shouldn't that check against his cover? Hans couldn't see the board from his angle
@@DrunkonWriting hans looked around for a fake name and saw 'Clay' so he used that and just randomly used 'Bill' as a first name, but then it cuts to John glancing up and a shot of the board where it clearly says "Clay.......WM" as in if there was a guy named Clay in the building, his first name would be William
See, I always took that as Hans KNEW there was a William Clay, and used that for cover. Is there actually a shot of him looking around? I recall him saying the name so offhandedly, as if it was so matter of fact
@@DrunkonWriting I mean he's not really looking around per-say, but when John asks his name the look on Hans face is like "oh shit..." So he looks up and picks the first name he sees on the board
Just rewatched a clip cause this could completely change my understanding of the scene, but I don't think Hans can see employee listing? Did I miss it?? ruclips.net/video/TSdpRP_bVOM/видео.html
You should have more subs!
Thank you!
Classic show rather than tell.
Great video! But their watches Cartier Tank Gold , not Tag Heuer
That's the accident by the dress crew. The rest of Hans team wore tag Heuer (can't see Karl and his brother wearing gold tank watches) as pointed when Hans orders them to synchronise their watches. Quite fitting for a team of professionals which mcClane duly noted they all wore the same watches. The wardrobe guy by myth and legend forgot to get Rickman to wear a tag Heuer which from a continuity point was identified by mCClane. The continuity didn't fit in the film as he wore the gold Cartier tank watch which was in my mind for Hans wardrobe - a better and classical choice of watch for the character!
I wouldn't say the overall plan was all that smart since part of it needed to get outside LE involved. Doesn't seem to make sense that with all the equipment and knowledge they brought with them, they had to rely on outside intervention to get the power to the vault interrupted.
No it’s because of Alan suggestion to make him wear a suit and meet maclane’s character
Absolutely true. Rickman’s suggestion to Silverman. Why was Hans in a terrorist costume? He is after all the Boss. If he was in a suit there could be a scene wherein Hans and John meet. All Rickman’s idea. And of course he could do an American accent - he was a RADA trained actor.
He's "classically educated".
Rickman (Gruber) wearing Cartier Tank watch, not Tag Hauer. All others, probably, Tag Hauer. So this theory sounds not complete.
mcclain should have when he was under the table
3:47 did you do an Arnie impression?
Lol maybe? Not intentionally though!
You can't do Hans Gruber and not do Clarence Boddicker.
Die hard 1 and 3 are best
Do you think i'm fu..ing stupid Hans?
Watches have a heavy significance in Die Hard. Holly's gold Rolex symbolizes her independence, her success. John saves his wife by releasing the watch from her wrist, which causes Hans to fall to his death. The subtext of Die Hard is anti feminst, it's a fantistic movie about a man who rescues his wife from from the evils of feminism, and destroys any hope of her going back. At the end, she is happy to be his loving wife again, she even tells the reporter her married name, McClain, instead of her maiden name, Gennero (generic) -- because without her husband, she's nothing.
Woah
Marriage is give and take. Both Holly and John realize they were fighting over stupid stuff. The release of the Rolex along with the bonds being scattered to the winds, and the whole thing was about money and greed. Symbolizes in the end, it's people that matter. You can't put a price on family and people.
Superb analysis.
But all thos scenes where in the movie 👁👄👁
He's a good ACTOR and he is following a script.
Rickman killed it in every role he ever played
In my opinion that empty gun scene made Hans look alot less like a professional for a few reasons.
First of all, he didn't realize the gun was empty from it's light weight, a Beretta 92F is an alloy frame gun, it's alot heavier with an empty magazine than with a full one.
Second, when the gun went click he just kept pulling the trigger without racking the slide to chamber another round. Like maybe the first round was a dud or maybe the magazine is full but the chamber is empty.
Third, when he realized he had been played he just froze like a deer when it sees headlights. McClane was standing next to him, he could have easily grabbed his gun and tried to wrestle that MP5 away from him. Granted, he knew that help was coming and it was just a matter of time but still, McClane could have shot him, he had already killed many of his comrades.