Sybil (1976) (TV)

Director:

Daniel Petrie

Writers:

Flora Rheta Schreiber (book)
Stewart Stern (teleplay)

Release Date:

14 November 1976 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | 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:

Patient | Mental Illness | One Word Title | Psychiatrist | Compassion

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Joanne Woodward	...	Dr. Cornelia Wilbur
Sally Field	...	Sybil
Brad Davis	...	Richard
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
Gina Petrushka	...	Dr. Lazarus
Harold Pruett	...	Danny (as Harold Pruitt)
Natasha Ryan	...	Child Sybil
Paul Tulley	...	Dr. Castle
Anne Beesley	...	The Selves (as Elizabeth Anne Beesley)
Virginia Campbell	...	The Selves
Missy Karn	...	The Selves
Tasha Lee	...	The Selves
Cathy Lynn Lesko	...	The Selves
Rachel Longaker	...	The Selves
Jennifer McAllister	...	The Selves (as Jenifer McAlister)
Kerry Muir	...	The Selves
Karen Obediear	...	The Selves
Tony Sherman	...	The Selves
Danny Stevenson	...	The Selves
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Gordon Jump	...	Tractor Farmer (uncredited)
Lionel Pina	...	Tommy (uncredited)

Directed by
Daniel Petrie

Writing credits
Flora Rheta Schreiber		(book)
Stewart Stern		(teleplay)

Produced by
Jacqueline Babbin	....	producer
Philip Capice	....	executive producer
Peter Dunne	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Leonard Rosenman

Cinematography by
Mario Tosi		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Michael S. McLean		(as Michael McLean)
Rita Roland

Casting by
Dianne Crittenden		(as Dianne Derfner Crittenden)

Production Design by
Tom H. John

Set Decoration by
John H. Anderson		(as John Anderson)

Makeup Department
Janis Clark	....	hair stylist
Robert Norin	....	makeup artist (as Robert N. Norin)

Production Management
Gene Fowler Jr.	....	post-production supervisor (as Gene Fowler)
Marty Hornstein	....	unit production manager
Neil T. Maffeo	....	executive in charge of production
Lee Rich	....	production supervisor
Lynn Guthrie	....	production manager (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Gary Adelson	....	second assistant director
Anthony Brand	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Russell Goble	....	property master
Al Rohm	....	construction coordinator

Sound Department
Victor Guarnier	....	sound effects supervisor
Dick Kupper	....	loop editor
Al Overton	....	production sound mixer

Camera and Electrical Department
Gene Griffith	....	key grip
Joel King	....	camera operator
Joe Pender	....	gaffer
Joseph Cosko Jr.	....	second assistant camera (uncredited)

Casting Department
Shirley Rich	....	casting consultant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Patricia Norris	....	costumes

Editorial Department
LaReine Johnston	....	assistant editor (as La Reine Johnston)
Bob Pickarts	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Alan Bergman	....	lyricist
Marilyn Bergman	....	lyricist
Ken Runyon	....	music editor
Gloria O'Brien	....	singer: theme music (uncredited)
Dan Wallin	....	score mixer (uncredited)

Other crew
H. Bud Otto	....	script supervisor
Patricia A. Sonsini	....	production coordinator
Cornelia Wilbur	....	psychiatric consultant (as Cornelia B. Wilbur M.D.)

Production Companies

• Lorimar Productions

Distributors

• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1976) (USA) (TV)
• Pallas Film (1980) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• MGM/CBS Home Video (1982) (USA) (video)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (USA) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (2006) (USA) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Howard Anderson Company, The  titles and opticals (as Howard A. Anderson Co.)

Also Known As:

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 | Portugal:M/18 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:18 | Netherlands:16

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Lorimar Productions

Trivia:

Sally Field almost did not get the part of Sybil. She was the last person to audition before the director's lunch break, and Fields' agent had to plea with them to let her audition. Ultimately, 'Joanne Woodward' decided she wanted to see Field audition.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: While Hattie is playing the piano near the end of the movie, her arm movements clearly do not match the rhythm of the music we hear.

Quotes:

Richard J. Loomis:Are you going to say good-bye to Sybil?
Matthew Loomis:That's not Sybil. Sybil went home.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Saturday Night Live: Jill Clayburgh/Eddie Money (#3.14)" (1978)

Excellent Movie

This is one of the most impressive movies I've seen ever. Sally Field's acting was superb! I can see why she won an award for it. Ms. Field's portrayal of this poor girl's (Sybil) insight into her emotions and thoughts was breathtaking. Sally was perfect for the part. Joanne Woodward was also excellent in her role as the psychiatrist who supports Sybil thru her memory ordeal concerning her abhorrent upbringing. The movie gives, I think, a very thorough understanding of Dissociative Identity Disorder, also known as MPD.

This is a great movie for psychology students to watch, as well as, anyone who is interested in the psychology of the mind and how it deals with trauma for some individuals. Although I don't suffer from multiple personalities, I found that this movie helped to give me personal insight into my own issues dealing with my own abusive upbringing. This is a great film to watch whether it be for entertainment or for educational reasons.