Review of The Ninth Configuration (1980) by Jonathon D — 03 Mar 2009

(There have been so many re-cut versions of this film that it is necessary to explain which version is being reviewed. The following comments relate to the Blue Dolphin R2 DVD release, said by William Peter Blatty to be the definitive cut of his film).

Does God exist? If he does, why is there so much evil in the world? If he doesn't why is there so much good in the world? How can you explain an act of selfless sacrifice without accepting the existence of God? These questions are deep and philosophical ? they are also central to the entire fabric of William Peter Blatty's 1980 cult film The Ninth Configuration. There has never been a film quite like it, nor will there be one again. This is a uniquely challenging, disturbing, hilarious and theological vision, a film that is impossible to categorise and just as hard to forget.

In the Pacific Northwest of America lies a fairy-tale castle, imported brick by brick from Germany. The castle is used as a highly experimental psychiatric centre for unbalanced military officers. Among the inmates is astronaut Billy Cutshaw (Scott Wilson), an unerring atheist who cracked up during the final countdown prior to a space launch. Another includes Lt. Reno (Jason Miller), who is trying to produce a Shakespearean show by casting dogs in all the roles. All the inmates are similarly deranged in some way or other. They are told that a new psychiatrist named Hudson Kane (Stacy Keach) will be joining them. When Kane arrives he is bemused by the wacky antics of his subjects, but responds to them with unwavering patience and gentleness. He is supported by the resident medic Col. Fell (Ed Flanders). But there seems to be something unusual about Kane himself, with his recurring nightmares and occasional outbursts of temper. Nonetheless, the lunatics seem to be making progress under their new psychiatrist, apart from Cutshaw whose mental issues seem to relate to his own inability to believe in God or find an explanation to the meaning of life. Cutshaw challenges Kane to provide evidence that God exists ? one genuine, real act of selfless sacrifice that he might witness with his own eyes. Later, Kane is proved to be even crazier than any of his patients ? he is in fact a dangerously disturbed ex-soldier being encouraged to play out the psychiatrist charade as part of his treatment. When Cutshaw learns this he flees from the base, only to fall foul of a gang of thuggish bikers in a local bar. Kane arrives to save Cutshaw from the bikers, but also senses a chance to save him on a spiritual level too?.

Seemingly confused and pretentious on the first viewing, The Ninth Configuration gets better and better the more you revisit it. It's an exploration of faith, but much more besides. Two thirds of the film stand out as riotous comedy; there's an undercurrent of mystery thriller; it could be used as the starting point for a theological debate; some might even call it the military cousin of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. The film is gorgeously shot, and scored intelligently by Barry DeVorzon. Blatty directs each scene with great attention to detail and stuffs his script with telling references. The film's twists and philosophies are too intricate to take in from just one viewing, but each time you return to the film more of Blatty's grand plan slots into place, and you slowly find yourself unravelling the deeper implications of it. It may be heavy-going, but ultimately The Ninth Configuration is a worthwhile cult classic.