The Ninth Configuration [Blu-ray/DVD]

Director: William Peter Blatty William Peter Blatty

Overview

William Peter Blatty, author of The Exorcist, proved a workmanlike producer/director for 1979's The Ninth Configuration. Army psychiatrist Col. Kane (Stacy Keach) (teetering on the sanity brink himself) tries to minister to the patients in a military mental hospital. The fact that the hospital is located in a brooding old castle is hardly conducive to speedy recoveries. Nor does the mid-film barroom brawl indicate that Kane's approach to mental health is all that workable. Blatty adapted the screenplay for The Ninth Configuration from his own novel Twinkle, Twinkle, "Killer" Kane (which also served as the film's title during one of its many releases). It is hard to tell if what you're going to see is the "director's cut," since there are several versions of this film, running anywhere from 99 to 140 minutes.

Product Details

Release Date:	11/04/2014
UPC:	0759731710824
Original Release:	1979
Rating:	R
Source:	Henstooth Video
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Language:	English
Time:	1:58:00
Sales rank:	16,068

Special Features

Audio commentary by writer-director William Peter Blatty; Featurette with film critic Mark Kermode; Deleted scenes & outtakes; Optional English subtitles for the hearing impaired

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Stacy Keach	Col. Kane
Scott Wilson	Capt. Cutshaw
Jason Miller	Reno
Ed Flanders	Fell
Neville Brand	Groper
George DiCenzo	Fairbanks
Moses Gunn	Nummack
Robert Loggia	Bennish
Joe Spinell	Spinell
Alejandro Rey	Lt. Gomez
Tom Atkins	Sgt. Krebs
Steve Sandor	First Cyclist
Richard Lynch	Second Cyclist
William Lucking	Highway Patrolman
David Healy	1st General
Tom Shaw	Priest
Bruce Boa	Sergeant in Combat Shack
Bobby Bass	Driver
Mark Gordon	Sergeant Gilman

Technical Credits

William Peter Blatty	Director,Producer
William Paul	Executive Producer

Editorial Reviews

This odd but fascinating film is not for every taste, but those willing to accept its challenging style will find themselves rewarded with a one-of-a-kind film that is both impassioned and inventive. Films like The Ninth Configuration are the reason the genre of "cult movie" was invented: its constantly twisting plot line incorporates elements of the psychological thriller, the social satire, the surrealist comedy, and the allegorical tale without ever fully giving itself over to one style. Writer/director William Peter Blatty further ups the artistic ante by populating his tale with a rogue's gallery of rich, flamboyantly crafted characterizations and giving these characters stunning dialogue that combines heady artistic references, masterfully timed comic zingers, and some surprisingly incisive and heartfelt discourse on religious and philosophical matters. It's the kind of story that could have chased its tail into pretentious oblivion, yet The Ninth Configuration manages to remain grounded thanks to the thorough sense of craftsmanship that all its participants bring to the table. Blatty's direction manages to be stylish without ever feeling obtrusive; he uses Gerry Fisher's darkly atmospheric cinematography to wrap the tale in artful but unobtrusive compositions that give the story room to unfold, but uses sharp editing to maintain a carefully modulated pace that deftly traverses the story's multiple twists. Blatty also gives his actors the freedom to combine humor and heartache in equal measure to flesh out their roles, a tactic that handsomely pays off in a series of unforgettable performances. Scott Wilson combines Groucho Marx-style comedic timing with righteous anger to make his tormented astronaut character feel real, Ed Flanders is alternately witty and moving as the hospital's eccentric but devoted doctor, and Stacy Keach utilizes everything from Buddha-like calm to volcanic range to make Colonel Kane a truly unforgettable protagonist. There are also a variety of scene-stealing supporting turns, two of the biggest standouts being George DiCenzo as a patient with an array of personalities and Steve Sandor as the unhinged biker whose brutal actions kick-start the film's final act. In short, the eccentric and challenging nature of The Ninth Configuration might put some viewers off, but its barrage of thought-provoking ideas and rich craftsmanship make it well worth the effort for adventurous viewers.

It's a metaphysical murder mystery and a cosmic love story. You have never read anything quite like it.” —Santa Monica Evening Outlook

“Fasten your seat belt before opening this book!” —Associated Press

“A work of extraordinary imagination.” —San Antonio Express

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