Die Hard: With a Vengeance

Die Hard: With a Vengeance

Year: 1995

Runtime: 131 min

Language: English

Director: John McTiernan

ActionThrillerCrime

Ex-NYPD detective John McClane is unexpectedly drawn back into a dangerous situation when a bomber threatens New York City with a series of increasingly complex challenges. Forced to team up with reluctant shop owner Zeus Carver, McClane must decipher the bomber's riddles and follow his instructions to prevent disaster. As the stakes rise, McClane and Carver race against time to stop the terrorist and save countless lives, all while navigating a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995)

Trace every key event in Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

The Catastrophic Explosion

The morning commute in New York City is shattered when the Bonwit Teller department store experiences a massive explosion. This devastating event, orchestrated by the cunning terrorist known as Simon, sets off a chain reaction of chaos in the city.

Morning Bonwit Teller, Manhattan, New York City
2

Simon Contacts the NYPD

Following the explosion, Simon relishes the chaos he has instigated and directly contacts the NYPD. He issues a chilling ultimatum, demanding that Officer John McClane be sent to Harlem wearing a provocative sandwich board with a racist slur, emphasizing his sadistic enjoyment of the situation.

Harlem, New York City
3

McClane's Reluctant Journey

With escalating tension and limited options, the NYPD reluctantly sends John McClane to meet Simon’s demands. As McClane arrives in Harlem, he crosses paths with Zeus Carver, an electrician who is inadvertently caught up in the unfolding crisis.

Harlem, New York City
4

Facing Hostility

While navigating the streets of Harlem, McClane and Zeus encounter hostility from local gang members. Just as tensions reach a boiling point, Zeus intervenes to defuse the situation and helps McClane escape in a taxi.

Harlem, New York City
5

Timed Challenges Begin

Arriving at 1 Police Plaza, McClane and Carver regroup with the NYPD, who brief them on Simon's next malicious move. Faced with a series of timed challenges, they are thrust into a race against time to prevent further bombings throughout the city.

1 Police Plaza, New York City
6

The Bomb on the Tracks

The duo hops on the 3 train, only to discover a bomb planted on the tracks. In a desperate moment, Zeus arrives just in time to disarm the explosive, saving many lives as the train hurtles toward the station.

Wall Street Station, New York City
7

The Identity of Simon Revealed

The FBI and CIA agents provide critical intel, revealing Simon’s true identity as Peter Krieg, a former colonel with a notorious past. This revelation connects him to Hans Gruber, McClane's previous nemesis, raising the stakes of their confrontation.

8

Simon’s Chilling Ultimatum

Simon contacts the NYPD again, warning them about a bomb in an elementary school and setting strict conditions for its retrieval. His twisted game aims to draw attention away from Wall Street while ensuring chaos grips the city.

New York City
9

Unraveling the Grand Scheme

As McClane investigates, he discerns Simon's ulterior motive: a massive heist of $140 billion in gold bullion from the Federal Reserve Bank. This shocking revelation outlines Simon's calculated plan to disrupt the economy while executing the theft.

Federal Reserve Bank of New York
10

Confrontation in the Water Tunnel

McClane pursues Simon's thieves into a water tunnel, aiming to thwart their heist. As the tunnel's cofferdam explodes, releasing a torrent of water, McClane narrowly escapes, showcasing his resilience amidst the chaos.

Water Tunnel, New York
11

The Chase and Revelation

After a thrilling chase through the city, McClane uncovers a shocking detail: Simon's henchmen each had just enough cash to cover a bridge toll. This reveals Simon's deeper strategy, further complicating their quest to stop him.

New York City
12

Captured on a Tanker

The tension escalates when McClane and Carver find themselves captured near a tanker loaded with bullion. Simon declares his deadly intent to blow up the tanker, endangering countless lives and the global economy.

Long Island Sound
13

A Desperate Escape

As Simon departs, McClane and Carver leverage their resourcefulness to escape the ticking time bomb. In a narrow escape, they flee just as the tanker explodes, heightening the stakes of their mission against Simon.

Long Island Sound
14

The Shocking Discovery

In a debrief with the NYPD, McClane realizes a crucial fact: none of the stolen bullion was on the tanker, revealing Simon's true intentions to hoard the gold for himself. This discovery strengthens McClane's resolve to track Simon down.

15

Final Confrontation

McClane leads a team to a warehouse near Quebec, where Simon's crew is redistributing the stolen bullion. In a tense showdown, he cleverly shoots down a power line, leading to a spectacular explosion that ends Simon's reign of terror.

Warehouse, near Quebec

Last Updated: November 19, 2024 at 16:46

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Die Hard: With a Vengeance Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Die Hard: With a Vengeance

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