The Ninth Configuration

R

Released Aug 8, 1980

1h 48m

Mystery & Thriller

List

81%

16 Reviews

Tomatometer

76%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Col. Vincent Kane (Stacy Keach) is a military psychiatrist who takes charge of an army mental hospital situated in a secluded castle. Among Kane's many eccentric patients is Capt. Billy Cutshaw (Scott Wilson), a troubled astronaut in the midst of an existential crisis. Although Kane's own grasp on sanity is questionable, he manages to engage Cutshaw in a series of thoughtful conversations about science and faith that deeply affect the lives of both men.

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Anton Bitel

Little White Lies

Like the Gothic castle (festooned with gargoyles, crucifixes and posters of Bela Lugosi) in which The Ninth Configuration is predominantly set, Blatty's film is something of a grand folly, by turns uproariously funny and deadly serious....

Apr 25, 2016

Full Review

Jorge Loser

Espinof

The Ninth Configuration is as much a horror film as it is a social satire and a drama. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

May 30, 2023

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

You want something different? This one is Different.

Rated: A+

Dec 1, 2022

Full Review

Alan Jones

Starburst

Not only is it an impressive debut from Mr. Blatty but it tries to do something different and doesn't take its audience for a lot of fools who park their brains at the cinema ticket kiosk.

Jul 26, 2022

Full Review

Matthew Pejkovic

Matt's Movie Reviews

Part thriller, part scatterbrain comedy, and part theology lesson, The Ninth Configuration is a film wholly unique and worth seeking.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 21, 2020

Full Review

Adam Lowes

CineVue

A resolutely offbeat film which offers a richly rewarding and affecting viewing experience if you're willing to embrace it's esoteric flourishes.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 26, 2016

Full Review

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Alec B

The ending remains heavy handed (and might be totally misguided) but it has numerous great performances and, at least until the ending, deals in some interesting ambiguity about faith and morality.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/04/24

Full Review

Mac L

Great performance by Keach, a profound movie if you let it be one.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/06/23

Full Review

Kliff H

After a few minutes your hopes of anything serious, just leaves the room. Crazed insanity in the name of early Shutter Island. The acting is pretty good, the story is a struggle, it could have been so much more.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/13/23

Full Review

Jon O

This is a good movie. I enjoyed it when it came out. I will say I was the only person that liked it when I tried to watch it recently.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Kieran S

Blatty is Roman Catholic and this film is, too. It tells the truth, and it is a fine piece of a thriller in the simplest sense.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/04/23

Full Review

tom c

Very close to the book, (which I suggest reading). One of those movies that you have to watch several times to get the deeper meaning.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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William Peter Blatty

Director

Stacy Keach

Col. Vincent Kane

Scott Wilson

Capt. Billy Cutshaw

Ed Flanders

Col. Richard Fell

Jason Miller

Lt. Frankie Reno

Neville Brand

Maj. Marvin Groper

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Synopsis

Col. Vincent Kane (Stacy Keach) is a military psychiatrist who takes charge of an army mental hospital situated in a secluded castle. Among Kane's many eccentric patients is Capt. Billy Cutshaw (Scott Wilson), a troubled astronaut in the midst of an existential crisis. Although Kane's own grasp on sanity is questionable, he manages to engage Cutshaw in a series of thoughtful conversations about science and faith that deeply affect the lives of both men.

Director: William Peter Blatty
Screenwriter: William Peter Blatty
Distributor: Warner Bros., Image Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Ninth Configuration
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 8, 1980, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 23, 2018
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Scope (2.35:1)

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