Live Free or Die Hard
Fourth Die Hard film, highest-grossing in the series.
Live Free or Die Hard, also known as Die Hard 4.0 outside North America, is a 2007 American action thriller. Len Wiseman directed it, and it follows *Die Hard with a Vengeance* (1995) as the fourth movie in the *Die Hard* series. The story comes from a 1997 *Wired* magazine article by John Carlin called "A Farewell to Arms." The title borrows from New Hampshire's state motto, "Live Free or Die."
In the plot, NYPD Detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) is sent to pick up hacker Matt Farrell in New Jersey. After assassins attack them, McClane and Farrell learn that cyber-terrorist Thomas Gabriel (Timothy Olyphant) is behind a "fire sale" attack meant to cripple U.S. infrastructure by hacking government and commercial computers. Gabriel, a former DOD programmer fired for warning about security flaws, seeks revenge. McClane and Farrell fight through attacks on a power grid and an NSA facility, where Gabriel kidnaps McClane's daughter Lucy. McClane eventually kills Gabriel, and Farrell saves Lucy. The cast also includes Justin Long, Cliff Curtis, Maggie Q, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Kevin Smith.
Released in the U.S. on June 27, 2007, by 20th Century Fox, the film earned $383 million worldwide—the highest in the series. Critics gave it positive reviews. It is the only *Die Hard* movie released in theaters with a PG-13 rating, though an unrated version later came out on home media. A fifth film, *A Good Day to Die Hard*, followed in 2013.
- Release date
- June 27, 2007 (United States)
- Director
- Len Wiseman
- Studio
- 20th Century Fox
- Box office
- $383 million worldwide
- Rating
- PG-13 (theatrical); unrated edition on home media
- Based on
- 1997 Wired article 'A Farewell to Arms' by John Carlin
Lore & Background
In the film, NYPD Detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) attempts to stop cyber-terrorist Thomas Gabriel (Timothy Olyphant), who hacks into government and commercial computers across the United States with the goal of starting a 'fire sale' cyber attack that would disable key elements of the nation's infrastructure. Justin Long, Cliff Curtis, Maggie Q, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Kevin Smith also star. The plot follows McClane as he is assigned to pick up hacker Matt Farrell (Long); after assassins attack, the two work together to thwart Gabriel's plan, which includes taking over transportation grids, the stock market, and the power grid. Gabriel, a former Department of Defense analyst, seeks revenge after being ignored and fired for warning about network vulnerabilities. McClane's estranged daughter Lucy (Winstead) is kidnapped as a bargaining chip, and the climax involves a confrontation at an NSA facility in Woodlawn, Maryland.
Reader's Guide
Live Free or Die Hard is the only Die Hard film to be theatrically released with a PG-13 rating from the MPAA, although an unrated edition was later made available on home media. It grossed $383 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing installment in the Die Hard series. The film received positive reviews from critics. A fifth film, A Good Day to Die Hard, was released in 2013. The film's plot, centered on a cyber attack on U.S. infrastructure, reflects early 2000s anxieties about digital vulnerability. The inclusion of McClane's daughter, previously considered for the third film, added a personal stake. Kevin Smith, who played hacker Frederick 'Warlock' Kaludis, made uncredited rewrites to his scenes.
Did You Know?
- The film is based on the 1997 Wired magazine article 'A Farewell to Arms' by John Carlin.
- It is the only Die Hard film to receive a PG-13 rating in theaters.
- Timothy Olyphant filmed his role as Thomas Gabriel within three weeks.
- Director Len Wiseman makes a cameo as an F-35B pilot and as the voice of a Camden, New Jersey police captain.
More in Characters & Cast
Elsewhere in Die Hard
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