Search - The Ninth Configuration on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Graphic Violence, Nudity, Not For Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1979 DVD Release: 09/17/2002 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Edition: Dual Layered Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English, French SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 54 mins Studio: Warner Home Video Members Wishing: 9 Genres: Drama, Psychological Thriller, Gothic Film

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. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Stacy Keach - Col. Kane
Scott Wilson - Capt. Cutshaw
Ed Flanders - Col. Fell
Jason Miller - Lt. Reno
Neville Brand - Maj. Groper
Moses Gunn - Maj. Nammack

Warner Bros. Home Video has done film fans around the world a big favor by rescuing this neglected cult classic from obscurity and presenting in a thoughtful and exquisitely crafted package. This DVD's anamorphically enhanced video transfer restores Gerry Fisher's cinematography to its full widescreen glory: the print suffers from periodic scratches and specks of dust but otherwise delivers a richly textured image that presents the thoughtfully composed imagery the way it was meant to be experienced. The audio is limited to a mono soundtrack; it lacks the excitement of a stereo mix but is a well-mixed track that delivers the film's rapid-fire dialogue with the appropriate clarity. The value of this disc of The Ninth Configuration is further enhanced by a generous array of extras guaranteed to delight the film's cult following. The jewel in its crown is a fascinating commentary track featuring William Peter Blatty and film critic Mark Kermode: Blatty reveals a wealth of technical and autobiographical tidbits as he chronicles the film's complicated genesis and Kermode gently prompts the director into discussing his take on the film's complex religious and philosophical themes. There is also a series of additional scenes, including two alternate endings that add a different slant to the film, and a nice featurette in which Mark Kermode sets up the film's complicated array of themes (this makes a great intro to the film for novice viewers). All in all, this is a fine package that presents The Ninth Configuration in the best possible style and also makes a strong case for its status as a forgotten classic. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide