The Ninth Configuration (1980)

January 9, 2023 10:27 AM

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.

Also starring Ed Flanders, Neville Brand, George DiCenzo, Moses Gunn, Robert Loggia, Joe Spinell, Alejandro Rey, Tom Atkins, Steve Sandor, Richard Lynch, William Peter Blatty, Jason Miller.

Written, produced, and directed by William Peter Blatty (The Exorcist).

80% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Currently streaming in the US on Shudder, Kanopy, FreeVee, Tubi, and Pluto. JustWatch listing.

posted by DirtyOldTown (3 comments total)

What a wild movie. It's a philosophical treatise, it's an absurdist comedy, it's a thriller.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:40 AM on January 9, 2023 [2 favorites]

This film completes the third part of Blatty's "faith" trilogy-the exorcist and the exorcist 3 being the first two parts.
posted by miss-lapin at 10:50 AM on January 9, 2023 [1 favorite]

I recall reading the book (titled 'Twinkle, Twinkle, "Killer" Kane') as a preteen. It was a dense mess. I should re-read it now that I'm old.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 3:16 PM on January 10, 2023