{"product_id":"9781839026522","title":"Die Hard","description":"Author: Lewis, Jon\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 9781839026522\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Bloomsbury\u003cbr\u003eYear first published: 13 Nov 2025\u003cbr\u003ePages: 104 Format: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eUpon its release, John McTiernan's\u003ci\u003e Die Hard \u003c\/i\u003e(1988)\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003ewas met with immense commercial and critical success; breaking the $100 million mark at the box office in its first run, and resulting in four Academy Award nominations.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eJon Lewis's study of the action classicclosely examines the film's novel and script adaptation, highlighting the influential role of producer Joel Silver. He delves into Silver's ground-breaking 'whammy theory', which redefined script structure by organizing scripts around timed 'beats' rather than traditional acts or scenes, tracing its impact not only in \u003ci\u003eDie Hard\u003c\/i\u003e, but also in other iconic franchises like \u003ci\u003eLethal Weapon\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003ePredator\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe Matrix\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003eLewis goes on to consider the film's evocation of post-Vietnam male panic and its connection to the Iron John movement. He highlights \u003ci\u003eDie Hard\u003c\/i\u003e as a prime example of the 'male rampage film' genre, where white male protagonists express frustration with cultural antagonists like feminism, economic regulation, government bureaucracy, and political corruption. Finally, he reflects on how \u003ci\u003eDie Hard\u003c\/i\u003e resonated with its 1988 audience, looking for new antagonists in a changing world. The film's anticipation of European radical political groups and later terrorism rooted in North Africa and the Middle East foreshadows the era-defining 'war on terror' that would follow.","brand":"Ships in 10 to 15 days","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46636879347870,"sku":"UBD-9781839026522","price":26.78,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0400\/9043\/5742\/files\/9781839026522.jpg?v=1774398516","url":"https:\/\/classicbargains.com.au\/products\/9781839026522","provider":"Classic Bargains Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}