WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Die Hard
Genre:Action Adventure

Reviewed In Issue 18 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Alexander Godunov, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald Veljohnson, Paul Gleason, DeVoreaux White, William Atherton

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 5
Sound Rating: 5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number): 8905-85
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $49.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 132
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1988
(LD Release Date): 11/95
(THX® Digitally Mastered): Yes

Credits Information
(Director): John McTierman
(Screenplay/Written By): Jeb Stuart & Steven E. de Souza
(Story): NA
(Music): Michael Kamen
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Jackson DeGovia
(Visual Effects): Boss Film Corp., Video Image
(Costume Designer): Marilyn Vance-Straker
(Editor): Frank J. Urioste, ACE & John F. Link
(Supervising Sound Editors): NA
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Charles Gordon
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Lawrence Gordon & Joel Silver

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Panavision
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.39:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.32:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Digital
(Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A & 70mm 6 Track Dolby
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Back in 1988, Die Hard perhaps set the stage for suspenseful, humorous action thrillers to come. McClane launches his own one-man war against terrorist Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) who has taken hostages in a Los Angeles high rise building over the Christmas holiday.

LaserDisc Picture:
The digital video transfer is first rate with excellent color fidelity, accurate fleshtones and deep, solid blacks. The picture is significantly improved over the previous LaserDisc release, particularly in the area of grain and noise, which are virtually unnoticeable. Color fidelity is accurate, and the picture is sharp and detailed.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The aggressive Dolby® Surround soundtrack is spacious and dimensional, but the Dolby Digital version is more articulate with deep, rumbling bass that will leave you breathless.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
(Aggressive System Surround):
(Intense 25Hz Bass):
(Deep Bass Challenging):
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield):
(Aggressive Split Surround):
(Center Back Surround Imaging):
(Directionalized Dialogue):
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition:
DVD To LaserDisc Comparison: