Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), a hero of the American Civil War, has become a self-destructive alcoholic, disillusioned by his role in the bloody Indian Campaigns. Far away in Japan, Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe), the last leader of the Samurai, sees that his centuries-old way of life is about to come to an end. The paths of these two warriors converge when Algren is hired to train Japan's first modern army. Seeing that the Japanese government intends to eradicate Katsumoto's men, Algren leaves his post and chooses to fight beside the Samurai in an attempt to regain his honor and save his soul. Directed by Edward Zwick. With William Atherton, Billy Connolly, Tony Goldwyn, Timothy Spall, Shin Koyamada and Koyuki. Categories: Action, Adventure, Drama, War. Year: 2003.

William Atherton in The Last Samurai
Following the murder of two Supreme Court Justices, law school student Darby Shaw (Julia Roberts) researches the judges' records and cases pending before the court. When her professor (Sam Shepard) and his friend (John Heard) are killed soon after reading the resulting brief, which outlines who would benefit from the judges' deaths, Darby goes on the run in fear for her life. Turning to the only man she trusts, investigative reporter Gray Grantham (Denzel Washington), Darby sets out to uncover the truth, despite threats from a wealthy oil tycoon and the White House. Directed by Alan J. Pakula. With Tony Goldwyn, William Atherton, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Anthony Heald. Categories: Drama, Mystery, Thriller. Year: 1993.

William Atherton in The Pelican Brief
It's Christmas time again and New York City policeman John McClaine (Bruce Willis) is caught in the middle of another hostage situation. This time, he must stop an elite commando unit from kidnapping a big-time drug dealer and taking him to the Caribbean. And, he has to do it before his wife's plane, which has been circling overhead, runs out of fuel. Directed by Renny Harlin. With Bonnie Bedelia, William Atherton, William Sadler, John Amos, Dennis Franz, Art Evans and Fred Dalton Thompson. Categories: Action, Adventure, Thriller. Year: 1990.

William Atherton in Die Hard 2
After flying to LA to visit his family on Christmas Eve, John McClane (Bruce Willis), a tough New York City cop, gets trapped in a high-rise after the building is taken hostage during his wife's office party. Now, it's up to McClane to take out the terrorists and save the day. Directed by John McTiernan. With Reginald VelJohnson, Bonnie Bedelia, Alan Rickman and William Atherton. Categories: Action, Crime, Thriller, Suspense. Year: 1988.

William Atherton in Die Hard
Dr. Peter Venkam (Bill Murray), Dr. Raymond Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) and Dr. Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) are parapsychologists dealing in the weird and the occult. After being fired from their jobs, they team up with Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson) to become the Ghostbusters, a team of exterminators who trap and dispose of spirits, ghosts and ghouls. When they discover a dimensional gateway and a terrible supernatural threat to New York, they must figure out a way to save the city and validate their ridiculous line of work. Directed by Ivan Reitman. With Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis. Categories: Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, New York. Year: 1984.

William Atherton in Ghost Busters