Sybil (TV 2007)

A true story of a young woman whose abusive childhood results in her developing a multiple personality disorder.

Director:

Joseph Sargent

Writers:

John Pielmeier (teleplay), Flora Rheta Schreiber (book)

Stars:

Jessica Lange, Tammy Blanchard, Ron White

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Jessica Lange	...	Dr. Cornelia Wilbur
Tammy Blanchard	...	Sybil Dorset
Ron White	...	Dr. Atcheson
JoBeth Williams	...	Hattie Dorsett
Alison Murray	...	Young Sybil
Fab Filippo	...	Ramon
Brian Downey	...	Willard
Brianna MacDonald	...	Young Lulu
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Joey Campbell	...	University Student
David Patrick Flemming	...	Young Doctor (as David Flemming)
Michael Ray Fox	...	University Student (as Michael Fox)
Gary Levert	...	Art teacher
Liam McNamara	...	Tommy
Marlane O'Brien	...	Bartender
Wanda Taylor	...	Restaurant customer

Storyline

A true story of a young woman whose abusive childhood results in her developing a multiple personality disorder.

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Plot Keywords:

multiple personality disorder | female psychiatrist | remake

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 June 2008 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Norman Stephens Productions, Warner Bros. Television, Wolper Organization

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Crazy Credits

In memory of our dear friend and colleague Phyllis Huffman

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Connections

Version of Sybil (1976)

User Reviews

A very well acted reselling of the story, SYBIL

I - like a lot of you - had seen the original SYBIL, with Sally Field, and, for many years, I liked it (it's weird to say 'like' about such a harrowing tale).

As the original version was made-for-TV in the '70's, the horror Sybil endured had to be 'cleaned up.'

But, what was there, was a terrifying story of a young woman's tortured life.

I only saw this version for the 1st time a year ago, and, I've always on the fence, when I hear 'remake,' because, they're usually inferior.

This was one of the few exceptions.

As embodied by Tammy Blanchard, this SYBIL (who does somewhat have a similarity to Ms, Fields' Sybil) is touch more rounded.

Ms. Blanchard gives a brilliant performance (why isn't Ms. Blanchard's name better known?!?! She CAN act!), and as the strict confines that were imposed on telling this story back then have loosened, much more of the horrors she endured at the hands of her mother are shown (in this case, it helps the viewer better understand the depths of depravity done to Sybil, and it's more poignant).

Jessica Lange's Dr. Wilbur - while I don't think much 'better' than Ms. Woodward's performance, definitely is portrayed by Ms. Lange with enough strength to help sustain - not only the drama, but, to portray a Dr. who Sybil can actually count on, and whose support of Sybil.

I remember when the original version was shown, how, soon after, seeing people reading the book was a common sight. The story is just so shocking, so unusual (remember, at the time - before Springer, et al, when people's problems are flaunted EVERYWHERE, this WAS an almost 'unique' story).

I commend the performers, and the entire production, as a good example that 'remakes' can actually dig deeper, enhance a story, rather than the all-to-common ripping off the original.