Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)

Last updated:
August 1, 2025

Die Hard with a Vengeance is the explosive third installment in the Die Hard franchise, directed by John McTiernan, who also directed the original 1988 Die Hard. Returning as the sarcastic, unkillable New York cop John McClane, Bruce Willis finds himself in the middle of another deadly game — this time, it’s personal, chaotic, and citywide.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know about this action classic.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

A Normal Day in New York… Until It Explodes

The film opens with a sudden explosion in a Manhattan department store. No warning, no demands — until a mysterious caller named Simon (Jeremy Irons) contacts the NYPD. He demands that John McClane, who is currently suspended and at rock bottom, play a deadly game of “Simon Says” across the city. If McClane fails, more bombs will go off.

The twist? This time McClane isn’t alone.

Meet Zeus: Reluctant Partner in Chaos

McClane is sent to Harlem wearing a racist sign as Simon’s twisted first test. There, he’s saved by Zeus Carver (Samuel L. Jackson), a local shop owner who gets pulled into the chaos. Zeus is smart, skeptical, and quick-witted — the perfect foil to McClane’s burned-out, reckless cop.

Simon keeps the duo running around New York solving riddles, finding bombs, and uncovering clues. The tension and pacing are relentless, with the city becoming a puzzle box of danger.

The Federal Reserve Heist

Eventually, it becomes clear that Simon’s real plan isn’t about revenge — it’s about money. While McClane and Zeus chase fake bomb threats, Simon and his mercenary crew are robbing the Federal Reserve Bank, stealing over $140 billion in gold bullion from the underground vault.

The “Simon Says” game is a brilliant distraction, and it works — until McClane starts putting the pieces together.

Bombs, Betrayals, and a Truckload of Gold

After a nail-biting chase through an aqueduct (featuring a flood, of course), McClane and Zeus realize the gold is being smuggled away via dump trucks. Simon fakes the sinking of the gold-laden ship to mislead the authorities. McClane, however, is convinced Simon isn’t done yet.

This leads them to the film’s final act — and an explosive confrontation.

Movie Ending

McClane tracks Simon to Canada using a clue from a stolen aspirin bottle — which leads to a border warehouse near Nova Scotia. There, Simon and his crew are celebrating what they believe is a successful heist.

McClane and Zeus infiltrate the compound. In the chaos that ensues, McClane confronts Simon directly. Simon escapes in a helicopter with his girlfriend and a stash of the gold, only for McClane to cleverly shoot a power line, which causes the helicopter to explode mid-air — ending Simon’s reign for good.

Zeus asks McClane if he’s going to call his estranged wife Holly. McClane borrows Zeus’s phone and calls her, finally taking a step toward repairing his personal life.

It’s a fitting end: justice served, McClane alive (barely), and maybe even a bit wiser.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No. Die Hard with a Vengeance does not have a post-credits scene. Once the credits roll, that’s the end of the ride. However, there was an alternate ending filmed (more on that below) that would’ve drastically changed the tone.

Type of Movie

Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime
Tone: Fast-paced, gritty, with a dark sense of humor
Franchise: Third entry in the Die Hard series

Cast

Bruce Willis as John McClane
Samuel L. Jackson as Zeus Carver
Jeremy Irons as Simon Gruber
Graham Greene as Joe Lambert
Colleen Camp as Connie Kowalski
Larry Bryggman as Chief Walter Cobb

Film Music and Composer

The score is composed by Michael Kamen, who returned from the previous Die Hard films. His score blends tension-building orchestration with clever use of classical themes — including “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”, which acts as Simon’s theme, creating an ironic contrast between patriotism and terrorism.

Filming Locations

Most of the film was shot on location in New York City, giving it an authentic, lived-in atmosphere. Key filming locations include:

Wall Street – scenes around the Federal Reserve
Central Park and Harlem – for the early chase sequences
Queens and The Bronx – various chase scenes and action set pieces
Montreal, Canada – for the final scenes near the border

Shooting in real NYC locations added urgency and realism to the movie’s frantic tone.

Awards and Nominations

While the film didn’t sweep major awards, it did receive several nominations and honors:

Blockbuster Entertainment Awards: Nominated for Favorite Duo (Willis & Jackson)
BMI Film & TV Awards: Won for Michael Kamen’s musical score
It was a box office success, becoming the highest-grossing film worldwide in 1995.

Behind the Scenes Insights

The original script was titled “Simon Says” and wasn’t originally intended to be a Die Hard movie.
Jeremy Irons wasn’t the first choice for Simon — David Thewlis and Sean Connery were considered.
Samuel L. Jackson’s character was written specifically with him in mind after his breakout in Pulp Fiction.
The bomb-riddle water jug puzzle? It’s solvable — and a favorite puzzle among fans to this day.
The “exploding payphone” scene was shot using practical effects with a real explosion — Willis’s reaction is genuine.

Inspirations and References

The original idea was based on an unused script for Lethal Weapon 4.
Simon Gruber is a direct nod to Hans Gruber, the villain from the original Die Hard.
The Simon character is modeled after classic Bond villains — intelligent, theatrical, and deeply dangerous.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

A notorious alternate ending exists, where McClane confronts Simon months later in Hungary. McClane plays a game of Russian roulette with a rocket launcher to get revenge — a darker, more personal ending. Test audiences found it unsatisfying and out of character, so it was scrapped for the explosive helicopter finale.

Deleted scenes also include extended dialogue between McClane and Zeus and more details on the gold heist plan.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The movie is not based on a book but uses elements from a spec script called Simon Says. However, the Die Hard franchise originally stems from the novel Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp, which inspired the first film.

This third entry fully leaves the novel roots behind and becomes its own beast — blending high-stakes puzzles with citywide terror.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The opening bombing on the busy NYC street
McClane in Harlem with the racist sign — pure tension
The subway bomb and its detonation sequence
The dump truck water-flood escape
McClane and Zeus defusing the school bomb

Iconic Quotes

Simon: “Simon says… get to the pay phone.”
McClane: “Yeah, Zeus! As in, father of Apollo? Mount Olympus? Don’t f*** with me or I’ll shove a lightning bolt up your ass?”
Zeus: “Why do you keep calling me ‘Hey, Zeus’? My name is Zeus!”
McClane: “Welcome to the party, pal — oh wait, wrong movie.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Simon’s last name is Gruber — a direct link to Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) from the first film.
The film slyly references the Nakatomi incident, reminding fans of McClane’s previous adventures.
Look closely at Simon’s maps and plans — many feature real NYC schematics and subway data.
The aspirin bottle that leads McClane to Simon is branded “Dr. Schiller’s” — a fake brand invented by the production team.

Trivia

McClane spends most of the movie hungover and without shoes — again.
The film was originally meant to take place in Seattle, not New York.
Samuel L. Jackson improvised many of Zeus’s one-liners.
The school bomb was filmed in an actual closed-down school, adding to the realism.
The U.S. military assisted with filming some scenes involving helicopters.

Why Watch?

If you like high-octane action blended with brainy puzzles and sharp dialogue, Die Hard with a Vengeance is the perfect mix. It stands out from the franchise by giving McClane a true partner, raising the stakes, and delivering relentless pacing with smart writing.

It’s not just another action sequel — it’s one of the most cleverly plotted and entertaining entries in any action series.

Director’s Other Movies

Die Hard (1988)
Predator (1987)
The Hunt for Red October (1990)
The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)
Rollerball (2002)

Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)

Detailed Summary