Posted on 12/24/2020 7:12:27 AM PST by EyesOfTX
32 years ago, the world watched in horror as events unfolded at Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles. A group of German terrorists led by the evil Hans Gruber disrupted the Christmas Party being celebrated by employees of the Nakatomi Corporation, a major logistics and construction firm headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
Terrorist leader Hans Gruber
Nakatomi CEO Joseph Takaki was mudered by the terrorists, along with Director of Planning Harry Ellis, who was shot by Gruber while enjoying a Coke as he attempted to facilitate a negotiation between the terrorists and vacationing New York City police officer John McClane.
Joe Takagi | Die Hard Wiki | Fandom
Nakatomi Corp. CEO Joseph Takagi
Ultimately, it was the heroic efforts of McClane and Los Angeles police Sgt. Al Powell that disrupted the terrorists’ mercenary plot to steal millions in Nakatomi Corp. bearer bonds and retire on a Caribbean beach while earning 20%. Gruber died when he fell from a 32nd floor window while clutching a gun in one hand and McClane’s watch in another. Another terrorist with long, flowing blond hair and the grace of a famous ballet dancer was shot by Powell as he attempted to rush McClane in a crowd that had gathered at the base of the Nakatomi skyscraper. It was the first time Powell had discharged his weapon while on duty since his unfortunate and unintentional killing of a kid several years before. The body of a third terrorist – later identified as the brother of the graceful blonde – was discovered by police on the 35th floor wearing a sweat shirt with the words “ho-ho-ho, now I have a machine gun” scrawled on it in blood.
Die Hard: John McClane's 10 Greatest Quotes | ScreenRant
New York Police officer John McClane, who had just come out to the coast to have a few laughs.
Sgt. Al Powell (@LAPD_DeskJockey) | Twitter
The late Los Angeles Police Sgt. Al Powell.
A pair of FBI agents – mysteriously identified only as “Big Johnson” and “Little Johnson” – also died in a helicopter crash during the conflict that erupted at the tower. Calls by Lt. Dwayne T. Robinson for “more FBI guys” went unanswered by the Bureau’s Los Angeles office. Several members of a special Los Angeles Police unit were injured during the incident as they attempted to force their way into the tower via the use of an armored vehicle which the terrorists stopped with a huge flame-thrower that they had anchored to the 2nd floor amid shouts of “schnell! schnell!.”
Talk:Die Hard - Internet Movie Firearms Database - Guns in ...
FBI Agents Big Johnson (r) and Little Johnson (l) in action.
In an amusing incident during the capture of the remaining members of the terrorist crew, KFLW-TV news anchor Richard Thornburg was punched out by McClane’s wife, Nakatomi Vice President Holly Gennero, as the world watched live on television. No explanation was given for Ms. Gennero’s action, as she and her husband climbed into a mysterious black limousine driven by a man McClane was heard to call “Argyle” and driven away to safety.
Episode 4 - Holly Gennaro (and Holly McClane) - Die Hard ...
Nakatomi VP Holly Gennaro.
In later years, McClane went onto become entangled in a series of subsequent terrorist plots even though he always seemed to just be minding his own business. It just seemed as if trouble followed him around throughout the rest of his life. McClane is now semi-retired and living in parts unknown. Sgt. Powell passed away earlier this year after enjoying a late night snack of Hostess Twinkies and milk.
As the years have rolled on since the terrorist plot was defeated, debate has raged among those who don’t have enough to worry about regarding whether or not the tale of the famous Nakatomi Raid of 1988 is a Christmas tale or not. Polls taken on the matter regularly show an almost even-split among respondents on the odd question, a result that shows no regard for race, religion or political party affiliation.
Suffice it to say that, 32 years later, the legend of the Nakatomi Raid of 1988 lives on in the hearts and minds of enthusiasts all over the globe.
That is all.
Good episode.
Look at it as the triumph of good over evil.
“Now I have a machine gun”
"The director goes deep in the 12-minute video, discussing art history and the concepts of authoritarianism and capitalism, but eventually reveals that yes, Die Hard is a Christmas movie, despite the original intention not being that."
I never doubted it for a moment.
Having issues? LOL. That was too funny.
For some reason, a closing parenthesis cannot be part of an html link unless you use real html. Go figure!
Good story there. Courageous Mom.
Yeah. Funny, how an aggressive mother-type woman can own a bunch of young guys by treating them like she is their mom...
Heh, probably made them take their boots off, too...:)
By 1996 L.A. had become a cesspool. Snake Plissken had to be sent in to retrieve valuable technology.
‘Cause You’ll put your eye out.😏
Thank you! Awesome, inspiring, wonderful story. What a gift!
I’ve been known to use brackets. They don’t really work either.
Yippy-ki-yay, mother Macree!
Awesome story! Thanks for posting this I had not heard it before.
That’s the Bruce Willis line in the movie.
Great story. Thanks for posting.
You are most welcome. We could all use some thing inspirational at this time of the year, especially in these times for sure.
I just reread this amazing, inspiring post, and can’t thank you enough.
With all that’s happened since Christmas, it’s even more meaningful now.
God Bless us all.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.