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The Ninth Configuration

Play trailer Poster for The Ninth Configuration R Released Aug 8, 1980 1h 48m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
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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The Ninth Configuration

Critics Reviews

View All (15) Critics Reviews
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 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 Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Obtuse thriller. Rated: B+ Feb 9, 2015 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (220) audience reviews
Steven P Although the film footage quality feels dated, the dialogue remains outstanding. You never really know who’s in charge, which keeps the tension high. The characters are superb, brought to life with tremendous acting. My only criticism is the way it ends. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/02/24 Full Review DanTheMan 2 Part thriller, part scatterbrain comedy and part theology lesson, as much a horror film as it is a social satire, The Ninth Configuration is one hell of a film debut from William Peter Blatty, a man with seemingly no interest in the supposed limits of mainstream filmmaking. Offering exotically hallucinogenic visions of a lunar crucifixion to the claustrophobic realism of a bar-room brawl, it's a wholly unique experience unlike any other and frequently blurs the line between the sane and insane. Hilarious yet thought-provoking, Blatty populates the film with endlessly quotable dialogue and an incredible cast of likeable characters who inhabit all forms of the spectrum while simultaneously offering visuals beyond imagination, it's a trip unlike any other; one half comical farce another half delving deeper into the central issues of human suffering, sacrifice and faith. Backed by a stellar cast firing on all cylinders and an incredible score by Barry De Vorzon, The Ninth Configuration is a breathtaking cocktail of philosophy, eye-popping visuals, jaw-dropping pretentiousness, rib-tickling humour and heart-stopping action, a work of matchless madness. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/05/24 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
The Ninth Configuration

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

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
Producer
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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