‘Die Hard’ Mistakes You’ll Never Be Able to Unsee

Even the best action movies have minor mistakes, and this popular holiday film is no different. Fans have pointed out small continuity errors and inconsistencies over the years, hidden amongst the jokes and exciting scenes. These don’t ruin the enjoyment, but once you see them, they’re hard to unsee. Here are some of the most frequently noticed mistakes that viewers keep spotting on repeat viewings.

The mystery ambulance in the truck

At the beginning of the movie, the cargo truck pulling up to Nakatomi Plaza appears completely packed with people and equipment. Later, an ambulance surprisingly emerges from the same truck to be used for the escape. However, the initial view of the truck’s interior makes it unbelievable that a full ambulance could have been hidden inside, even though the reveal is meant to be a fun moment. The earlier shot essentially spoils the surprise.

How many terrorists are there

The movie initially seems to establish a clear number of people in Hans’s crew through conversations and John’s attempts to keep track. However, the film actually shows more crew members than are ever specifically named. It’s hard to get an exact count – even listing all the hackers, strongmen, and the explosives expert doesn’t add up consistently. Some minor characters appear without being introduced, making the numbers even more confusing. This inconsistency makes John’s count feel inaccurate.

Barefoot glass cuts that come and go

John suffers significant cuts to his feet after crawling across broken glass, and we see them heavily bandaged. However, as the story continues, he moves around surprisingly well, and the bandages appear less extensive or cleaner than they were initially. There are also inconsistencies with the blood shown – sometimes it’s visible on the floor, and other times it mysteriously disappears when you’d expect to see it. It seems the extent of his injuries changes depending on what the scene requires.

The tank top that keeps changing

Throughout the night, John’s white undershirt visibly gets dirtier, changing from white to gray and eventually brown. However, some shots show the shirt looking cleaner than it did just moments before, with fewer stains. This inconsistency in how dirty the shirt appears doesn’t always match what’s happening on screen, creating brief, noticeable jumps in continuity during fast-paced scenes.

Bullet holes that vanish on the police car

When Al Powell initially reacts to the robbers, their gunfire severely damages his patrol car. While he’s backing up, the windshield and body are riddled with holes. However, later views of the same car show fewer bullet holes, and the damage seems to change between shots, creating the strange illusion that the car is being repaired during the scene.

Elevator floor indicators that do not line up

Throughout the elevator scenes, the floor numbers displayed often don’t match where the characters actually are. Sometimes an elevator will stop at a floor, but the display shows the wrong number, or even skips a floor altogether. The numbers in the lobby occasionally reset in a way that doesn’t make sense for the building. These inconsistencies are easiest to notice during quick cuts between different elevator scenes.

Glass that breaks before bullets hit

During the shootout in the office, glass explodes as the attackers fire their weapons. A window breaks just before the gun flashes, suggesting that small explosive charges were intentionally set to detonate slightly early. Although it’s a quick moment, the timing difference is visible when the scene is slowed down.

A single block of C4 causing repeated blasts

John rigs explosives together and sends them down the elevator shaft, causing a huge series of explosions throughout multiple floors. The film shows numerous fireballs, making it appear as if many separate explosive charges detonated. However, the earlier parts of the movie don’t indicate that additional explosives were placed in those specific locations, leading to a visually impressive but potentially unrealistic amount of C4 being used.

Tape on the back that changes between shots

During the climactic showdown, John secures a pistol to his back with gift wrap tape. However, careful viewing reveals inconsistencies – the amount and angle of the tape change between shots, and it seems to be repositioned. While the makeshift setup functions, the continuity of the tape is noticeable when the gun is revealed.

Karl’s hanging and sudden return

Karl is seriously injured after a tough fight and appears to be lifeless. Surprisingly, he reappears during the final confrontation. The movie shows him defeated, but doesn’t explain how he manages to recover and get back into the action, creating a jump scare without a clear explanation of his survival.

If you’ve noticed any mistakes or funny errors while rewatching ‘Die Hard‘, share them in the comments! Tell us what caught your eye.

2025-10-26 04:47