32 years ago, the world watched in horror as events unfolded at Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles. A group of German terrorists led by the evil Hans Gruber disrupted the Christmas Party being celebrated by employees of the Nakatomi Corporation, a major logistics and construction firm headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.



Terrorist leader Hans Gruber

Nakatomi CEO Joseph Takaki was mudered by the terrorists, along with Director of Planning Harry Ellis, who was shot by Gruber while enjoying a Coke as he attempted to facilitate a negotiation between the terrorists and vacationing New York City police officer John McClain.


Nakatomi Corp. CEO Joseph Takagi

Ultimately, it was the heroic efforts of McClain and Los Angeles police Sgt. Al Powell that disrupted the terrorists’ mercenary plot to steal millions in Nakatomi Corp. bearer bonds and retire on a Caribbean beach while earning 20%. Gruber died when he fell from a 32nd floor window while clutching a gun in one hand and McClain’s watch in another. Another terrorist with long, flowing blond hair and the grace of a famous ballet dancer was shot by Powell as he attempted to rush McClain in a crowd that had gathered at the base of the Nakatomi skyscraper. It was the first time Powell had discharged his weapon while on duty since his unfortunate and unintentional killing of a kid several years before. The body of a third terrorist – later identified as the brother of the graceful blonde – was discovered by police on the 35th floor wearing a sweat shirt with the words “ho-ho-ho, now I have a machine gun” scrawled on it in blood.




New York Police officer John McClane, who had just come out to the coast to have a few laughs.



The late Los Angeles Police Sgt. Al Powell.

A pair of FBI agents – mysteriously identified only as “Big Johnson” and “Little Johnson” – also died in a helicopter crash during the conflict that erupted at the tower. Calls by Lt. Dwayne T. Robinson for “more FBI guys” went unanswered by the Bureau’s Los Angeles office. Several members of a special Los Angeles Police unit were injured during the incident as they attempted to force their way into the tower via the use of an armored vehicle which the terrorists stopped with a huge flame-thrower that they had anchored to the 2nd floor amid shouts of “schnell! schnell!.”


FBI Agents Big Johnson (r) and Little Johnson (l) in action.

In an amusing incident during the capture of the remaining members of the terrorist crew, KFLW-TV news anchor Richard Thornburg was punched out by McClain’s wife, Nakatomi Vice President Holly Gennero, as the world watched live on television. No explanation was given for Ms. Gennero’s action, as she and her husband climbed into a mysterious black limousine driven by a man McClain was heard to call “Argyle” and driven away to safety.


Nakatomi VP Holly Gennaro.

In later years, McClain went onto become entangled in a series of subsequent terrorist plots even though he always seemed to just be minding his own business. It just seemed as if trouble followed him around throughout the rest of his life. McClain is now semi-retired and living in parts unknown. Sgt. Powell passed away earlier this year after enjoying a late night snack of Hostess Twinkies and milk.

As the years have rolled on since the terrorist plot was defeated, debate has raged among those who don’t have enough to worry about regarding whether or not the tale of the famous Nakatomi Raid of 1988 is a Christmas tale or not. Polls taken on the matter regularly show an almost even-split among respondents on the odd question, a result that shows no regard for race, religion or political party affiliation.

Suffice it to say that, 32 years later, the legend of the Nakatomi Raid of 1988 lives on in the hearts and minds of enthusiasts all over the globe.

http://dbdailyupdate.com/2020/...-plaza-raid-of-1988/

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Remembering the Great Nakatomi Plaza Raid of 1988

I was in Jr. High...dickhead.

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Originally posted by Ryanp225:

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Remembering the Great Nakatomi Plaza Raid of 1988

I was in Jr. High...dickhead.

That's a little too close for comfort. 1988 I was an O-3 on the USS IOWA, hoping to be part of an Alpha strike on Bandar Abbas...

I was working then, but (as usual) LAPD didn't think they needed to call on neighboring police agencies for "mutual aid." Obviously they were wrong.

Hans Gruber did nothing wrong.

Change my mind.

Whoever wrote that article needs to do some research. John's last name is spelled "McClane."

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Originally posted by Orguss:
Whoever wrote that article needs to do some research. John's last name is spelled "McClane."

He read about it in Forbes.

Looks like we are going to need a couple more FBI guys.

We have a ugly Christmas sweater contest every year when the family all gets together. While not exactly ugly this is the one I'll be wearing today!

Amazon Prime Video has it on special: $0.99 rental. In widescreen HD. I set the Yamaha DVR on the DPL sound stage and pumped up the volume. Shook the room. Awesome.

Great movie. I remember watching it thinking Bruce did a pretty good job and was a big change from the goofy character he played on Moonlighting, although I enjoyed that show as well.

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Originally posted by scot818:

Oh, I have got to get one of those.

I am definitely on the "Its a Christmas Movie" team.

A great Christmas Movie!!!

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Originally posted by wingfoot:

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Originally posted by scot818:

Oh, I have got to get one of those.

Believe it or not, I found it on Etsy a couple of years ago.

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Originally posted by feersum dreadnaught:

quote:

Originally posted by Ryanp225:

quote:

Remembering the Great Nakatomi Plaza Raid of 1988

I was in Jr. High...dickhead.

That's a little too close for comfort. 1988 I was an O-3 on the USS IOWA, hoping to be part of an Alpha strike on Bandar Abbas...

I'd been retired from USAF for 8 years and fully ensconced in working for Texas Instruments here.

flashguy