The Ninth Configuration

William Peter Blatty will forever be known as the guy that brought us The Exorcist which in a way is a shame.It cancels out all the great work he did before and after the pea soup spurting head revolving nightmare that kept me awake for all of my child and most of my adult life.This film is a prime example of what im talking about.A castle like asylum for the mentally ill receives a new head of staff in the psychiatric department.this role is played wonderfully by Stacey Keach who carrys the story along with just the right amount of mystery and unnatural calm and patience towards those he's caring for,his second in command is the EVER BRILLIANT Ed Flanders who seems to have been there so long he's turning into a patient.To say much more about the story would give away the cracking ending,and if you were a fan of Blattys own Exorcist 3 then watching this you will no doubt spot similaritiesin style and humour in both films.to me atleast it was a reminder of those great offkilter movies… more »

William Peter Blatty will forever be known as the guy that brought us The Exorcist which in a way is a shame.It cancels out all the great work he did before and after the pea soup spurting head revolving nightmare that kept me awake for all of my child and most of my adult life.This film is a prime example of what im talking about.A castle like asylum for the mentally ill receives a new head of staff in the psychiatric department.this role is played wonderfully by Stacey Keach who carrys the story along with just the right amount of mystery and unnatural calm and patience towards those he's caring for,his second in command is the EVER BRILLIANT Ed Flanders who seems to have been there so long he's turning into a patient.To say much more about the story would give away the cracking ending,and if you were a fan of Blattys own Exorcist 3 then watching this you will no doubt spot similaritiesin style and humour in both films.to me atleast it was a reminder of those great offkilter movies of the late 60's early 70's like MASH and Catch 22 where you think you're being lead in one direction,just to have the rug pulled from under you.STUNNING and CLEVER.Just as a footnote:I will not spoil the story but if you purchase this and watch it,which recent Hollywood blockbuster does it remind you of?infact the recent movie steals configurations plot outline and ending outright.