DIE HARD (1988)

DIE HARD is a 1988 US action thriller about a New York police officer who battles a group of terrorists who have taken people hostage in an office building in Los Angeles. It was originally classified 18 for cinema and video release, in 1988 and 1989 respectively. However, it was subsequently reclassified 15 for DVD release in 2008. This cinema re-release is rated 15 for strong violence, language, nudity and hard drug use.

There are scenes in which men are shot, resulting in brief blood spurts. There is also a scene in which a man is shot in the head by one of the terrorists, causing blood and gore to splatter onto a glass door panel. Elsewhere in the film, the hero is forced to walk bare-footed on glass when the terrorists deliberately shoot out some window panels. The hero then has to remove the shards from his feet. There is an extended fight sequence that includes a headbutt and repeated heavy punches and kicks, as well as a terrorist being hanged from a length of chain. The scenes of violence occur within the context of an action adventure film. The hero only uses violence in order to fight for his survival and in order to save the lives of others. The violence is not sadistic and does not dwell on detail.

There are several uses of strong language ('f**k' and 'motherf**ker'). There is also moderate and mild bad language (for example, 'pricks', 'dickhead', 'jerking me off', ‘shit’, ‘asshole’, and ‘pissed’).

In one scene a woman whose breasts are exposed is found by the terrorists when they enter an office in which she appears to be having sex with a man. There is occasional sight of topless women in magazine pin-up photos.

One of the male hostages is briefly seen snorting cocaine, although he is a negatively presented character whose boastful bravado leads to his death at the hands of the terrorists.

The film also contains several scenes in which the hero and some of the terrorists smoke cigarettes.

No-one younger than 15 may see a 15 rated film in the cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video or DVD.