Watch The Ninth Configuration

In The Ninth Configuration, Stacy Keach stars as Colonel Vincent Kane, a psychiatrist assigned to a secluded, gothic castle in the Pacific Northwest. The castle is being used as a facility for military personnel suffering from various psychiatric disorders in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. Colonel Kane is tasked with treating a group of soldiers who have become disenchanted with the military and have lost their sense of purpose. Among these soldiers is Captain Billy Cutshaw (Scott Wilson), a former astronaut who aborted his mission to the moon and has since become suicidal.

As Colonel Kane becomes more involved in the soldiers’ treatment, he begins to question his own beliefs and motivations. He grapples with the question of whether his work is truly helping the soldiers or if he is merely perpetuating the military’s cycle of violence.

The Ninth Configuration is a complex film that deals with themes of spirituality, mental health, and the effects of war on soldiers. It is also a darkly comedic film that doesn’t shy away from the absurdity of war and the military. The film is directed by William Peter Blatty, who is best known for writing The Exorcist.

One of the strengths of The Ninth Configuration is its cast of characters. Stacy Keach gives a powerful performance as Colonel Kane, a man who is grappling with his own demons while trying to help others. Scott Wilson is also great as Captain Cutshaw, a man who has lost his way and is struggling to find his purpose in life.

The film also features an impressive ensemble cast of character actors such as Neville Brand, George DiCenzo, and Ed Flanders. This ensemble cast helps to bring depth and complexity to the soldiers’ characters and makes the film feel like a real ensemble piece.

Another strength of The Ninth Configuration is its cinematography. The film was shot on location at an actual castle in the Pacific Northwest, which gives the film a sense of authenticity and helps to create a haunting, gothic atmosphere. The cinematography also makes great use of the castle’s natural lighting, creating eerie and atmospheric scenes.

The film also includes several surreal and dreamlike sequences, which are visually stunning and add to the film’s overall sense of strangeness. These sequences also help to explore Colonel Kane’s inner world and give the audience a glimpse into his psyche.

Overall, The Ninth Configuration is a highly unique and thought-provoking film that is not easily forgotten. It is a film that confronts the horrors of war and the psychological toll it takes on soldiers, while also exploring complex themes of spirituality, mental health, and the human condition. It is a testament to the power of cinema to both entertain and enlighten.

The Ninth Configuration is a 1979 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 46.