Sybil (1976 film)

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For the 2007 remake, see Sybil (2007 film).
Sybil

Sybil 30th anniversary DVD Release Cover
Directed by Daniel Petrie
Written by Flora Rheta Schreiber (book), Stewart Stern (teleplay)
Starring Joanne Woodward
Sally Field
Release date(s) 1976
Running time 198 minutes
Country United States Flag of the United States
Language English
IMDb profile

Sybil is a 1976 drama film, which 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 because of an abusive early life. With the help of her psychiatrist, Sybil gradually recalls the harrowing childhood abuse that led to the development of sixteen different personalities. Ones which made her seem psychotic, even a personality wanted to kill herself. Sally Field's portrayal of Sybil won much critical acclaim, and an Emmy Award.

The film, originally 198 minutes long, was initially shown over the course of two nights in 1976. Due to high public interest, 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 thirteen selves, are missing in both versions. The film is shown frequently on television, often with scenes restored or deleted to adjust for time constraints 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.

[edit] Trivia

  • Joanne Woodward had previously portrayed a character with multiple personalities in the 1957 film version of The Three Faces of Eve and won the Academy Award for her performance.
  • Because of 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.
  • In 2006, Warner Bros. produced a remake which aired June 6, 2008 in the United States, and has been shown in various countries in Europe. The 90-minute remake stars Tammy Blanchard as Sybil and Jessica Lange as Dr. Wilbur.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links