The Ninth Configuration

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The Ninth Configuration

R

Released Aug 8, 1980

1h 48m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

80%

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15 Reviews

76%

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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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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

It’s sincere in its grappling with pain and pain’s place in a reality supposedly created by a loving god.

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

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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

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Obtuse thriller.

Rated: B+

Feb 9, 2015

Full Review

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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

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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

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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

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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
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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