The Ninth Configuration (1980) was William Peter Blatty's directorial debut. He adapts his own novel for the big screen in this bizarre film about an astronaut (Scott Wilson) who's reached his breaking point and a military doctor (Stacy Keach) who's trying to reach out to him. The cast has a who's who of Hollywood cast-offs (William Peter Blatty has a cameo himself as one of the patients).

This is a strange film that'll cause you to think (if you don't enjoy these type of films then I suggest you look elsewhere). An interesting movie about things that aren't as they seem, soul searching and seeking redemption through honor and self sacrifice. I liked the way these people have to look into themselves and see who or what they really are. I wished that William Peter Blatty made more movies and Hollywood should have gave Stacy Keach more film roles like these. He was quite impressive.

I have to to highly recommend this movie. But if you're expecting some mainstream popcorn nonsense then look elsewhere.

William Peter Blatty's "true" sequel to THE EXORCIST is a tour-de-force movie that gets by on the quality of the writing, acting and direction alone, like all the best movies. It's a bit like ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST but with an existentialist theme, as a group of asylum inmates are given new experimental treatments by a visiting psychiatrist and all kinds of shenanigans end up kicking off. Blatty treats his subject matter with plenty of respect and the actors really go all out to convince, particularly Stacy Keach and Scott Wilson, both giving exemplary performances when playing against each other. This slow-burning story builds to one of the most tension-filled explosive climaxes I can remember seeing in a film, and the ending is one to make you think.

Considered by writer, producer, and director William Peter Blatty to be the true sequel to his story "The Exorcist", "The Ninth Configuration" has ended up with a cult-movie type reputation, but actually deserves even better. It's equal parts comic and tragic. It's never less than interesting, which is always a good thing. It's emotionally satisfying and ultimately uplifting, while providing a good deal of food for thought. One could look at it as a cult movie for the "thinking person". It's extremely atmospheric - it gets a lot out of its main setting - and an incredible ensemble brings a rich assortment of oddball characters to life.

Stacy Keach plays Colonel Kane (the original title of the story, for those who don't know, was "Twinkle, Twinkle, Killer Kane"),the new head shrink in a castle in the Pacific Northwest that has been converted into an insane asylum by the government. The inmates are military men whose insanity may or may not be genuine. One of the latest arrivals is a former astronaut named Billy Cutshaw (Scott Wilson),who aborted his mission to the moon, afraid of what might be out there. He desperately appeals to Colonel Kane to come up with some sort of proof that God exists, but Kane has his own problems, which is apparent right from the outset.

Blatty's dialogue is highly quotable and his theme of "the mystery of good" makes this stimulating from beginning to end. The pace is quite sedate, but some viewers might not mind at all. Although it's largely about story and characters, it *can* boast a very intense and rousing barroom confrontation, where Kane and Cutshaw come face to face with bikers played by the likes of Richard Lynch and Steve Sandor. Filmed on location in Hungary and Germany, it looks especially good in Panavision. Barry De Vorzons' music is good but its use is sparing. The men in this story are a colourful bunch, to boot: one fancies himself a superhero, and another is determined to mount productions of Shakespeare with canine casts. (Of course, he's loathe to cast a Great Dane as Hamlet; that would be too obvious.)

The cast is just wonderful. Keach offers a remarkably controlled performance; only once does he lose his cool. Wilson, whom the modern audience will know from 'The Walking Dead', is a delight as the despairing astronaut. Buffs will admire the roster of top character actors in supporting parts: other than Lynch and Sandor, there's Jason Miller, Ed Flanders, Neville Brand, George DiCenzo, Moses Gunn, Robert Loggia, Joe Spinell, Alejandro Rey, Tom Atkins, and William Lucking. Blatty himself appears uncredited as Lt. Fromme.

This is one film to see and admire, film lovers. It might not be to all tastes, but it does come highly recommended.

Nine out of 10.