John McTiernan

Directing

John McTiernan

Born 1951-01-08 · Albany, New York, USA

John Campbell McTiernan Jr. (born January 8, 1951) is an American filmmaker. He is best known for his action films, especially Predator (1987), Die Hard (1988), and The Hunt for Red October (1990). His later well-known films include the action-comedy-fantasy film Last Action Hero (1993), the action film sequel Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), the heist-film remake The Thomas Crown Affair (1999), and The 13th Warrior (1999). His last completed feature film was the mystery-thriller Basic, released in 2003. He pleaded guilty to perjury and lying to an FBI investigator in regard to his hiring of the private investigator Anthony Pellicano in late 2000 to illegally wiretap the phone calls of two people, one of whom was Charles Roven, a co-producer of his dystopian science-fiction action film remake Rollerball (2002). He was incarcerated in federal prison from April 2013 to February 2014. During his imprisonment, he filed for bankruptcy amidst foreclosure proceedings for his large ranch residence.

Acting credits

Iron and Beyond poster
6.4

This short documentary explores just how the film Pumping Iron revolutionized the fitness industry and created an international icon in Arnold Schwarzenegger. It also touches on what Hollywood's idea of an action star was and is.

Iron and Beyond

2002

If It Bleeds We Can Kill It: The Making of 'Predator' poster
7.5

A behind-the-scenes look at the 1987 sci-fi/action film that has since become one of the modern classics, about a team of special forces soldiers who find themselves being stalked and killed by a hunter from another world. Includes interviews with the cast and crew, who relate their experiences in bringing this film to life. Produced for the “Predator” DVD.

If It Bleeds We Can Kill It: The Making of 'Predator'

2000

Predator: The Unseen Arnold poster
NR

Documentary focusing on star Arnold Schwarzenegger. Produced for the “Predator” DVD.

Predator: The Unseen Arnold

A Night to Die For poster
7.0

TV special featuring interviews with Wayne Newton, Wayne Gretzky, Kareem Abdul Jabar, Rudolph Giuliani, Mike Ditka, and Ice-T. Aired on CBS ahead of a screening of Die Hard 2, the day before the third film was released.

A Night to Die For

1995

Predator: Character Design poster
NR

Documentary focusing on character personalities and weapons used by each actor. Produced for the “Predator” DVD.

Predator: Character Design

2001

Predator: The Life Inside poster
NR

Documentary focusing on actor Kevin Peter Hall, who played the Predator. Produced for the “Predator” DVD.

Predator: The Life Inside

2001

No artwork available
NR

A documentary on the making of THE 13TH WARRIOR with interviews from the director, cast and crew, and some behind-scenes footage.

In Search Of the Dead Eaters

2011

Predator: Classified Action poster
NR

Documentary which takes a closer look at the film’s stunts. Produced for the “Predator” DVD.

Predator: Classified Action

2001

Beneath the Surface: The Making of 'The Hunt for Red October' poster
5.4

This program features the standard mix of movie clips, production materials, and interviews. Cast and crew start at the beginning and discussed the acquisition of the rights to Clancy's novel and various adaptation issues. They then went into casting, research for the roles, and many technical topics related to the subs and other special effects concerns.

Beneath the Surface: The Making of 'The Hunt for Red October'

2003

Predator: Welcome to the Jungle poster
NR

Documenatry exploring the complexities of shooting in the jungle. Produced for the “Predator” DVD.

Predator: Welcome to the Jungle

2001

The Political Prosecutions of Karl Rove poster
NR

The (as of now) final film from John McTiernan, this short series of interviews shows unfounded lawsuits from a politicized justice department destroying the careers and lives of state-level Democrats. Was it Karl Rove's plan to undermine the Democratic Party by attacking its support at a local level, away from national scrutiny?

The Political Prosecutions of Karl Rove

2008

Behind the camera

Die Hard poster
7.8

High above the city of L.A. a team of terrorists has seized a building, taken hostages, and declared war. One man has manages to escape... An off-duty cop hiding somewhere inside. He's alone, tired... and the only chance anyone has got.

Die Hard

1988

Predator poster
7.6

A team of elite commandos on a secret mission in a Central American jungle come to find themselves hunted by an extraterrestrial warrior.

Predator

1987

The Hunt for Red October poster
7.4

A new technologically-superior Soviet nuclear sub, the Red October, is heading for the U.S. coast under the command of Captain Marko Ramius. The American government thinks Ramius is planning to attack. Lone CIA analyst Jack Ryan has a different idea: he thinks Ramius is planning to defect, but he has only a few hours to find him and prove it - because the entire Russian naval and air commands are trying to find Ramius, too. The hunt is on!

The Hunt for Red October

1990

Die Hard: With a Vengeance poster
7.3

New York detective John McClane is back and kicking bad-guy butt in the third installment of this action-packed series, which finds him teaming with civilian Zeus Carver to prevent the loss of innocent lives. McClane thought he'd seen it all, until a genius named Simon engages McClane, his new "partner" -- and his beloved city -- in a deadly game that demands their concentration.

Die Hard: With a Vengeance

1995

Die Hard: With a Vengeance poster
7.3

New York detective John McClane is back and kicking bad-guy butt in the third installment of this action-packed series, which finds him teaming with civilian Zeus Carver to prevent the loss of innocent lives. McClane thought he'd seen it all, until a genius named Simon engages McClane, his new "partner" -- and his beloved city -- in a deadly game that demands their concentration.

Die Hard: With a Vengeance

1995

The 13th Warrior poster
6.7

A Muslim ambassador exiled from his homeland joins a group of Vikings, initially offended by their behavior but growing to respect them. As they travel together, they learn of a legendary evil closing in and must unite to confront this formidable force.

The 13th Warrior

1999

The 13th Warrior poster
6.7

A Muslim ambassador exiled from his homeland joins a group of Vikings, initially offended by their behavior but growing to respect them. As they travel together, they learn of a legendary evil closing in and must unite to confront this formidable force.

The 13th Warrior

1999

Last Action Hero poster
6.5

After his father's death, a young boy finds solace in action movies featuring an indestructible cop. Given a magic ticket by a theater manager, he is transported into the film and teams up with the cop to stop a villain who escapes into the real world.

Last Action Hero

1993

Last Action Hero poster
6.5

After his father's death, a young boy finds solace in action movies featuring an indestructible cop. Given a magic ticket by a theater manager, he is transported into the film and teams up with the cop to stop a villain who escapes into the real world.

Last Action Hero

1993

The Thomas Crown Affair poster
6.8

Bored billionaire executive Thomas Crown decides to plan a robbery and assigns a professional agent with the right information to the job. However, Crown is soon betrayed yet cannot blow his cover as he’s fallen in love.

The Thomas Crown Affair

1999

Basic poster
6.5

When a hurricane hits a US Army base on the edge of the Panama Canal, an elite covert operations team of US Army Rangers recruits are on a routine jungle training exercise that goes horribly awry. Only two recruits are rescued, one of which is badly injured, but both have different accounts regarding the fate of their leader, legendary and ruthless Army Ranger Drill Sergeant Nathan West, and the rest of their platoon. Tom Hardy, an ex-army Ranger turned maverick DEA agent is brought in to solve the mystery and uncover what really happened out there.

Basic

2003

Medicine Man poster
6.0

An eccentric scientist in the Amazon jungle rejects his research assistant for being a woman, but as bulldozers threaten their work on a potential cancer cure, they learn to collaborate and begin to fall in love.

Medicine Man

1992

Rollerball poster
3.9

In this fast action-packed thriller, Jonathan, Marcus, and Aurora compete in a dangerous, fierce sport called Rollerball. Although, Johnathan and Marcus try to quit, cruel and vindictive promoter Alexi Petrovich encourages them to still participate.

Rollerball

2002

Rollerball poster
3.9

In this fast action-packed thriller, Jonathan, Marcus, and Aurora compete in a dangerous, fierce sport called Rollerball. Although, Johnathan and Marcus try to quit, cruel and vindictive promoter Alexi Petrovich encourages them to still participate.

Rollerball

2002

Amanda poster
5.0

A small boy is hurt by a horse on his father's ranch and he refuses to even be near one ever again. When a storyteller called Seven arrives with his huge imposing horse Amanda, everything changes.

Amanda

1996

Nomads poster
4.8

One night, in a Los Angeles hospital, Dr. Flax attends to a seriously injured man who, apparently crazed, whispers mysterious and disconcerting words in French into her ear.

Nomads

1986

Nomads poster
4.8

One night, in a Los Angeles hospital, Dr. Flax attends to a seriously injured man who, apparently crazed, whispers mysterious and disconcerting words in French into her ear.

Nomads

1986

The Right to Remain Silent poster
5.2

Bright and eager to hit the streets in search of bad guys, rookie cop Christine Paley is disappointed when she's instead assigned to process criminals. Under the supervision of a tough but likable mentor, Christine quickly learns that hers is like no other desk job in the world.

The Right to Remain Silent

1996

The Political Prosecutions of Karl Rove poster
NR

The (as of now) final film from John McTiernan, this short series of interviews shows unfounded lawsuits from a politicized justice department destroying the careers and lives of state-level Democrats. Was it Karl Rove's plan to undermine the Democratic Party by attacking its support at a local level, away from national scrutiny?

The Political Prosecutions of Karl Rove

2008