Sybil (1976) (TV)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Daniel Petrie

Writers:

Flora Rheta Schreiber (book)
Stewart Stern (teleplay)

Release Date:

14 November 1976 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

The true story of a young woman named Sybil, whose childhood was so harrowing to her that she developed at least 13 different personalities. |

Plot Keywords:

Multiple Personality | One Word Title | Psychiatrist | Mental Illness | Mental Illness Explored

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Joanne Woodward	...	Dr. Cornelia Wilbur
Sally Field	...	Sybil Dorsett
Brad Davis	...	Richard J. Loomis
Martine Bartlett	...	Hattie
Jane Hoffman	...	Frieda Dorsett
Charles Lane	...	Dr. Quinoness
Jessamine Milner	...	Grandma Dorsett
William Prince	...	Willard Dorsett
Penelope Allen	...	Miss Penny
Camila Ashland	...	Cam
Tommy Crebbs	...	Matthew Loomis
Gina Petrushka	...	Dr. Lazarus
Harold Pruett	...	Danny
Natasha Ryan	...	Child Sybil
Paul Tulley	...	Dr. Castle

Runtime:

USA:198 min (original television version) | Finland:133 min (theatrical version) | USA:187 min (DVD version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:18 | Netherlands:16

Filming Locations:

Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Lorimar Productions

Trivia:

Joanne Woodward, who plays the Doctor, starred in another famous film about multiple personalities, The Three Faces of Eve (1957) where she starred as the titular Eve. However, unlike Sybil, she had only a trio of personalities.

Goofs:

Continuity: Towards the end of the film, Dr. Wilbur mentions that Sybil has been under her care for more than 12 years. However, except for childhood flashbacks, the entire films appears to take place in the mid-Seventies (cars, movie marquees, fashions, hair styles) and no one ages a bit over the course of more than a decade.

Quotes:

Grandma Dorsett: [after hearing a loud thud] Hattie, is Sybil alright?
Hattie: Just one of her falls, Grandma!
[quietly to herself]
Hattie: Oh, Grandma... what big ears you have.
Hattie: [looking at Sybil's drawing] Well whoever heard of a purple chicken with green feet? Can you imagine what kind of eggs that might lay? Imagine setting a plate of those in front of your grandfather some fine Sabbath morning! ARMAGEDDON!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Psych: Who Ya Gonna Call? (#1.7)" (2006)

I can't emphasize how underrated this film is!

What a moving, outstandingly brilliant film starring Joanne Woodward, Brad Davies and Sally Field who won an Emmy for her unforgettably, rare and treasuring performance as the susceptible and disturbed Sybil!

Psychological drama, based on a true story; Sally Field stars as Sybil Dorset, a 20-something supply-teacher who suffered unspeakably horrifying treatment from her volatile mother (Martine Bartlett) and subsequently developed sixteen different personalities. With the help of her caring psychiatrist (Joanne Woodward), she slowly but surely learns how to identify herself.

Sally Field could have been the Meryl Streep-like actress of this generation. Before watching Sybil, I was unaware of her erratic next role and as such was intrigued upon discovering she played a woman with multiple personalities. Watching her portray each character thoroughly is overwhelming and cherished. It's a shame both she Sybil are so underrated and ignored.

Joanne Woodward is equally cherished in her role as the sympathetic and patient psychiatrist who nurses Sybil back to a normal woman. She too seems rather underrated as I'd never heard of her until I watched Sybil. I may need to consider delving into her CV for some good movies to get a hold on.

The only problem with the video I managed to snatch off eBay was that fact it was a pirate copy AND didn't even get to the end of the sodding film! Despite getting towards the end of the film is still sadly disrupted my enjoyment of Sybil and now I don't know how it ends. I've posted a message on the message board and hope to have an answer from someone soon. However, all of what I watched was incredibly excellent and as I said earlier - overwhelming.

My only question would be why the hell hasn't this been released on DVD? Or even screened on British TV?! I will not rest until amazon.com sees sense and releases the full four hour, uncut version. With a range of special features, including commentary from both Sally Field and Joanne Woodward, a documentary on Shirley Ardell Mason - the real Sybil who passed away back in 1998 and a selection of different languages - including Spanish and French - for non-English speaking viewers.

UPDATE: To my delight, I have recently realized that whoever they are have finally seen sense and agreed for a two disk, full, uncut version of the original Sybil - accompanied with several special features - is to be released on May 23rd 2006. To celebrate its 30th anniversary. I've already marked it in my calendar. Tick-tock ... tick-tock ... tick-tock ...