jrsousa
I was trying hard to remember about when I used to watch this movie with my siblings, but couldn't tell if this movie is the same miniseries that I watched in Brazil in the 80s, it probably is, because there is no other. I had the impression the miniseries was longer than 2 episodes, maybe they aired shorter episodes to fit into a week of show. It's an amazing movie, and even though as a kid I couldn't follow or understand much of the movie, some scenes got deeply marked in my memories, such as the image of Sybil showing her fists. Having come across a few podcasts among my mp3 of voices of Sybil, it reminded me of the movie and I decided to see it again.
MrGKB
...and still packs an emotional wallop that countless docudramas since have mostly failed to match. Originally presented on television in late 1976 with a hefty dose of commercial breaks, which are unfortunately more than apparent in the anniversary DVD presentation, "Sybil" is based on the true story of a Kentucky woman who developed multiple personalities to deal with the abuse she suffered as a child at the hands of her nutjob mother. Although heavily dramatized for the sake of compressing a rather lengthy story into three hours, Stewart "Rebel Without a Cause" Stern's penultimate teleplay hits all the right notes as it slowly draws us into Sybil's world. Under the care of psychiatrist, Cornelia Wilbur (played with great strength and understanding by Joanne Woodward), Sybil's personalities are revealed to us one by one as we slowly discover the root cause of her illness. When the final revelations are made in Act Three, the audience is thoroughly invested in the young woman's plight, and the catharsis of her self-discovery is intensely believable and very, very human.Noted director, Daniel "A Raisin in the Sun" Petrie, was brought in as a replacement to helm this one; it was the serendipitous choice. His touches are deft and never forced, especially in the extended takes in which Sybil's personalities battle for control of her mind. Mario "Carrie,""The Stunt Man" Tosi's cinematography is solid and assured, ably abetted by superlative production design, set decoration, and costuming, along with Michael S. McLean's careful editing. Leonard Rosenman's score is effective and never intrusive, a far cry from the manipulative scores of today's films. Everything about the film reveals the devotion and care of the principals involved in making it; I'll be very surprised if the upcoming remake can match that, although I could be wrong, given Jessica Lange's participation.At its core, though, "Sybil" ultimately rests in the hands of Woodward and Field, and these two fine actresses carry the film with all due respect and love right from its unsettling opening moments to its conclusion. Sally Field is simply wonderful, forever putting to rest her typecasting as the "Gidget"/"Flying Nun" comedienne. Her Emmy for the performance was, to me, a given, and in retrospect, a harbinger of her Oscar-winning stints in "Norma Rae" and "Places in the Heart," as well as her many other triumphs. Joanne Woodward, who signed onto the project first and was instrumental in assuring Field's being cast opposite her, gives Dr. Wilbur a dimensionality not often seen in such characters. How interesting that her first and only Oscar came from her portrayal, nearly two decades earlier, of multiple-personality disorder in "The Three Faces of Eve." The rest of the cast are no slouches, either. Brad "Midnight Express" Davis is sympathetic as the composite face of Sybil's "normal" world, while respected character actress Martine "Splendor in the Grass" Bartlett is truly chilling as Sybil's demented mother. William Prince is effective as the distant father in denial of his wife's illness and criminal behavior, Charles Lane is equally perfect as Sybil's shamefully negligent pediatrician, and Natasha "The Amityville Horror" Ryan shines quite brightly as the young, put-upon Sybil. Also, don't blink or you'll miss a brief, uncredited appearance by Gordon "WKRP/Maytag" Jump.All in all, one of the best productions to be offered by 70s television, on a par with, if not matching the length of, "Roots." I'll watch the remake whenever the opportunity arises, but it's going to have to be a mighty fine piece of work to top the original.
indy_go_blue44
I read the book Sybil and saw the movie for the first time in 1976 as a student nurse. I've read the book probably three times and am watching the newly released DVD as I write. I don't find it hard to believe I am still so powerfully affected I am by this movie. Between this movie and Norma Rae, Ms Field was at the height of her career. Her performance is beyond believable. Joanne Woodward's character, Dr. Wilbur, I think is almost too perfect but still extremely affecting and sympathetic as Dr. Wilbur. Although the character of Richard Loomis is added for dramatic effect, the late (and wonderful) Brad Davis' performance as the caring neighbor and love interest is also quite moving. Sadly his death in 1991 took from us a very good actor. Sybil is drawing the green chicken now, her mother looking on and now going psychotic. It wasn't possible for me to see her insanity when I saw this the first time, but I can feel a little more sympathetic to her now (up from zero to one, maybe). As a drama this is also a superb show. We know from the opening scenes that something is terribly wrong, and the story slowly unfolds as more and more of Sybil's history is told until the final healing scene, which I do feel is a bit melodramatic but does nicely wrap up in 4 hours what actually took many more years to accomplish. I have cried and I have laughed over this wonderful movie, and am grateful that it has finally been made available on DVD. 10/10
li_nda
I am so glad the film is being released later this month. I saw this film when I was much younger and have been trying to get a copy for ages. I actually taped the film when it was on TV but loaned it to a friend who never returned it....typical. The film is so moving and so well acted by all who took part. Can't wait to see it again and show my husband and daughters what I have always raved about. Sally Field plays the part of Sybil as if she were actually Sybil herself. Joanne Woodward is fantastic. I can't understand why so few people that I have spoken to don't know much about the film. Obviously, as I was only around 16 years old at the time, a lot of the film is missing in my mind but for it to stay in my head for 30 years proves what an impact it made at the time. I am sure, upon its new release, It will hit the headlines enormously. Making way for a re make. Can they find actors and actresses as good as played in the first film? We will have to wait and see !!!!!!!!!
