1987
On Christmas Eve, New York City police officer John McClane travels to Los Angeles to reconcile with his estranged wife, Holly, at her company's holiday party. During the party, a group of terrorists led by Hans Gruber seizes the Nakatomi Plaza building, taking Holly and her colleagues hostage to steal millions in bearer bonds. McClane, having evaded capture, becomes the sole resistance against the terrorists, systematically eliminating them and sabotaging their elaborate heist. He ultimately saves Holly and sends Gruber falling to his death, reuniting with his wife and Sergeant Al Powell as they leave the destroyed building.
Save the Cat beat sheet
John McClane, a New York cop, arrives in Los Angeles to reconcile with his estranged wife at her office Christmas party.
Open full beat sheetJohn McClane is listed as Protagonist. New York City police officer, mid-thirties, athletic, determined. In the parsed data, John McClane is connected to 52 scenes, 36 dialogue lines, 37 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
52 scenes / 36 dialogue linesHans Gruber is listed as Antagonist. Leader of the terrorist group, sophisticated, ruthless, intelligent. In the parsed data, Hans Gruber is connected to 20 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 25.
20 scenes / 16 dialogue linesHolly Gennaro McClane is listed as John's wife. Senior V.P. of Sales at Nakatomi, mid-thirties, tough business exterior. In the parsed data, Holly Gennaro McClane is connected to 18 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
18 scenes / 8 dialogue linesAl Powell is listed as Supporting. LAPD Sergeant, kind, empathetic, former street cop. In the parsed data, Al Powell is connected to 16 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 46.
16 scenes / 8 dialogue linesKarl is listed as Antagonist. Terrorist, Hans' right-hand man, vengeful, physically imposing. In the parsed data, Karl is connected to 14 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 29.
14 scenes / 1 dialogue linesArgyle is listed as Supporting. Limo driver, young, talkative, helpful. In the parsed data, Argyle is connected to 13 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
13 scenes / 4 dialogue linesTheo is listed as Antagonist. Terrorist, computer expert, cynical. In the parsed data, Theo is connected to 10 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 24.
10 scenes / 2 dialogue linesDwayne T. Robinson is listed as Supporting. Deputy Chief of Police Operations, bureaucratic, dismissive. In the parsed data, Dwayne T. Robinson is connected to 9 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 92.
9 scenes / 1 dialogue linesHarry Ellis is listed as Supporting. V.P. of Sales at Nakatomi, smooth, arrogant, cocaine user. In the parsed data, Harry Ellis is connected to 7 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 49.
7 scenes / 1 dialogue linesRichard Thornburg is listed as Supporting. TV news reporter, opportunistic, intrusive. In the parsed data, Richard Thornburg is connected to 4 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 92.
4 scenes / 2 dialogue linesJoseph Takagi is listed as Supporting. Senior V.P. of Sales for Nakatomi, mid-fifties, authoritative. In the parsed data, Joseph Takagi is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 4.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesA 747 lands in Los Angeles at night.
Passengers prepare to deplane.
John McClaneJohn McClane talks to a salesman and a stewardess.
John McClaneJoseph Takagi toasts the staff at a Christmas party.
Holly Gennaro McClane, Harry Ellis, Joseph TakagiHolly talks to her secretary and Ellis.
Holly Gennaro McClane, Harry EllisHolly calls home to talk to her children.
Holly Gennaro McClaneMcClane meets his limo driver, Argyle.
John McClane, ArgyleMcClane and Argyle drive to the Nakatomi building.
John McClane, ArgyleMcClane arrives at the Nakatomi building.
John McClane, ArgyleMcClane signs in at the lobby.
John McClaneMcClane rides the elevator to the 30th floor.
John McClaneMcClane enters the party and meets Takagi.
John McClane, Joseph TakagiMcClane meets Ellis and reunites with Holly.
John McClane, Holly Gennaro McClane, Harry Ellis, Joseph TakagiAn Emory truck enters the parking garage.
The truck passes Argyle's limo.
ArgyleArgyle relaxes in the limo.
ArgyleThe truck stops at the service elevator.
McClane and Holly argue.
John McClane, Holly Gennaro McClaneTerrorists kill the security guard.
Hans Gruber, TheoTerrorists unload crates.
McClane is alone in the office.
John McClaneMcClane attempts to call for help while hiding in the bathroom, but the phone lines are cut.
John McClane, ArgyleKarl and Tony cut the phone lines to the building.
Karl, TheoMcClane realizes he is trapped as terrorists search the floor.
John McClaneHans Gruber confronts Takagi about the vault code.
Hans Gruber, Joseph Takagi, Theo, KarlMcClane sends Tony's body down in the elevator as a message to Hans.
John McClane, Hans Gruber, Holly Gennaro McClane, KarlMcClane rides the elevator car roof, listening to the terrorists, then climbs onto a catwalk.
John McClaneMcClane enters the pump room and finds a ladder to the roof.
John McClaneKarl destroys Holly's office in a rage over his brother's death; Hans tries to maintain the plan.
Holly Gennaro McClane, Hans Gruber, Harry Ellis, KarlMcClane broadcasts a Mayday call from the roof.
John McClaneA supervisor dismisses McClane's emergency call as a prank.
John McClane, Dwayne T. RobinsonPowell buys Twinkies and receives a call to investigate Nakatomi Plaza.
Al PowellMcClane hides in the air ducts while Karl hunts him.
John McClane, KarlMcClane kills two terrorists and signals Powell.
John McClane, Al PowellMcClane communicates with Hans via CB, taunting him and revealing he has sabotaged their plans.
John McClane, Hans Gruber, KarlMcClane discovers the explosives and continues his cat-and-mouse game with Hans.
John McClane, Hans Gruber, KarlHans learns about the missing detonators and coordinates with Theo.
Hans Gruber, Karl, TheoMcClane makes contact with Sergeant Al Powell.
John McClane, Al PowellDeputy Chief Robinson arrives and clashes with Powell over the situation.
Al Powell, Dwayne T. Robinson, Richard ThornburgHolly requests better conditions for the hostages.
Holly Gennaro McClane, Hans GruberArgyle watches the news coverage of the Nakatomi building.
Argyle, Richard ThornburgMcClane realizes the police are launching an assault.
John McClane, Al PowellMcClane drops the explosives down the elevator shaft.
John McClaneMcClane and Robinson argue over the radio.
John McClane, Al Powell, Dwayne T. RobinsonArgyle listens to the radio conversation between McClane and Robinson.
Argyle, John McClaneMcClane talks to Powell on the radio while feeling unappreciated.
John McClane, Al PowellPowell comforts McClane over the radio while Robinson monitors.
Al Powell, John McClane, Dwayne T. RobinsonHans Gruber is identified on TV; Ellis decides to confront Hans.
Hans Gruber, Harry Ellis, Holly Gennaro McClaneEllis attempts to negotiate with Hans Gruber.
Hans Gruber, Harry Ellis, KarlMcClane eats Twinkies and talks to Powell about his family.
John McClane, Al PowellHans kills Ellis after the failed negotiation.
Hans Gruber, Harry Ellis, John McClaneRobinson and Powell argue about McClane's actions.
Dwayne T. Robinson, Al PowellMcClane encounters Hans, who is pretending to be a hostage.
John McClane, Hans GruberThe FBI arrives and takes charge from Robinson.
Dwayne T. Robinson, Al PowellHans reveals his true identity to McClane and a firefight ensues.
John McClane, Hans Gruber, KarlHans and Karl regroup after McClane escapes; Hans reveals he has the detonators.
Hans Gruber, KarlMary returns to Thornburg with information about McClane and his family.
Richard ThornburgHans and Karl return to the hostages; Hans gives detonators to Uli.
Holly Gennaro McClane, Hans Gruber, KarlMcClane cleans his foot wound and talks to Al Powell on the CB radio.
John McClane, Al PowellHans and Theo discuss the FBI's intervention regarding the power grid.
Hans Gruber, TheoThe FBI and city engineers cut the power to the building.
Al Powell, Dwayne T. RobinsonThe vault door opens after the power is cut.
Hans Gruber, TheoMcClane asks Powell to tell his wife he is sorry.
John McClane, Al PowellMcClane discovers the explosives on the roof.
John McClane, KarlHans takes Holly hostage after seeing the news report.
Holly Gennaro McClane, Hans GruberMcClane fights Karl and tries to warn the hostages about the explosives.
John McClane, KarlThe FBI helicopters are destroyed by the explosion.
John McClaneMcClane smashes through the window and rolls onto the floor.
John McClaneThe fire hose mounting is blasted off the roof.
The hose mechanism tumbles downward.
McClane is yanked off his feet by the hose.
John McClaneThe hose wheel slides down the building.
McClane struggles to free himself from the hose.
John McClaneThe roof recoils from an explosion.
The hostages scream.
Holly covers her head while the men pile up bonds.
Holly Gennaro McClaneMcClane runs up the steps.
John McClaneAn elevator crashes through the wall.
McClane runs up the steps as debris flies.
John McClaneThe elevator drops.
Look...I'm getting a bad feeling up here...I'd like you to do something for me. Look up my wife...don't ask how, you'll know by then...and tell her...tell her...I've been a jerk. When things panned out for her, I should've been behind her all the way...We had something great going until I screwed it up...She was the best thing that ever happened to a bum like me. She's heard me say I love you a thousand times, but she never got to hear this...honey...I'm sorry.
When you steal six hundred dollars, you can disappear...but when you steal six hundred million, they will find you...unless you play dead. Which happens to be your next role...drop your gun, please.
Ladies and gentlemen...I congratulate each and every one of you for making this one of the greatest days in the history of the Nakatomi corporation...
I want you for debrief, McClane. You've got some things to answer for -- Ellis' murder -- property damage -- interfering with police business --
Mr. McClane...Mrs. McClane...any comment on your incredible ordeal? What are your feelings now that it's all over?
Harry, it's Christmas Eve. Families... Stockings...chestnuts...Rudolph and Frosty...those things ring a bell?
Ginny, it's 6:40, you're making me feel like Ebeneezer Scrooge. Go on, join the party, have some champagne.
Yeah. But all things being equal, I'd rather be in Philadelphia. By the way, chalk up two more terrorists.
SlugDB turns parsed screenplays into scene, character, dialogue, trivia, semantic search, Save the Cat, and API-ready analysis.
Use SlugDB when you need screenplay API data, movie dialogue search, character evidence, scene context, or MCP tools without building a scraper first.