Sybil (film)
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Sybil originally aired as a made-for-television miniseries in 1976. Sally Field starred in the title role, with Joanne Woodward playing the part of Sybil's psychiatrist, Cornelia B. Wilbur. Based on the book Sybil by Flora Rheta Schreiber, the movie dramatises the life of a shy young graduate student, Sybil Dorsett (in real life, Shirley Ardell Mason), suffering from dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder). With the help of her psychiatrist, Sybil gradually recalls the harrowing childhood abuse that led to the development of sixteen personalities. Sally Field's portrayal of Sybil won an Emmy.
The film, originally 198 minutes long, was initially shown over the course of two nights in 1976. In the VHS version of Sybil, released in the 80's the film was edited, with one version running 122 minutes and another, extended version running 132 minutes. Several key scenes, including Sybil's final climactic "introduction" to each of her sixteen selves, are missing in both versions. The film is shown frequently on television, often with scenes randomly restored or deleted to adjust for time contraints and the varying sensitivity of viewers. The film was graphic for its original prime-time viewing slot and even today contains many disturbing images and themes.
Due to high viewer demand, a 30th anniversary edition of Sybil was released on DVD in North America on July 18, 2006 with the original full length running time of 198 minutes. A remake is currently in post-production, and stars Tammy Blanchard as Sybil and Jessica Lange as Dr. Wilbur.
Warner Bros. has produced a remake which will air in 2007 on CBS.
[edit] Trivia
- Joanne Woodward had previously portrayed a character with multiple personalities in the 1957 film version of The Three Faces of Eve.
[edit] See also
- Sybil (book)
- Shirley Ardell Mason — Actual person on whom Sybil was based.
[edit] External links
- [1]Link to The Daily Texan article on "Sybil" (1976) by Gerard Martinez
- Jessica Lange to Star in CBS Remake of 'Sybil'
- Multiple Personality Controversies Links to many articles about the real Sybil, Shirley Mason.
- Sybil at the Internet Movie Database
- The Art of Shirley Mason The Hidden Gallery currently runs an exhibition of Shirley Mason's art.
