Sybil (1976)
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A shy graduate student undergoes psychiatric treatment to uncover the traumatic origins of her multiple personalities.
The story
After suffering a breakdown in front of her students, Sybil Dorsett seeks neurological examination from psychiatrist Dr. Cornelia Wilbur. Sybil admits to experiencing blackouts and fears they are worsening. Dr. Wilbur theorizes that these incidents are a form of hysteria linked to a deeper problem. When Sybil attempts to seek treatment, her father expresses strong disapproval of psychiatry. Following a series of alarming incidents, including a near-suicide attempt, Dr. Wilbur realizes that Sybil is suffering from multiple personality disorder. The psychiatrist begins the difficult task of identifying and communicating with the various personalities emerging from Sybil's psyche.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Sybil Dorsett, a graduate student, begins therapy with Dr. Cornelia Wilbur after experiencing blackouts and a public breakdown. Dr. Wilbur discovers Sybil suffers from multiple personality disorder, revealing several distinct personas: Peggy, a rage-filled nine-year-old; Vickie, a sophisticated eighteen-year-old; Vanessa, a vibrant girl who falls in love with a neighbor named Richard; and several others including a suicidal Marcia and a pre-verbal infant named Ruthie. As the personalities grow stronger, Sybil struggles to maintain control. Through hypnosis and investigation, Dr. Wilbur uncovers a history of severe child abuse at the hands of Sybil's mother, Hattie. Sybil eventually confronts the memories of being locked in a wheat bin and other physical traumas. In a climactic session, Sybil is hypnotized to meet Peggy, who is revealed to be only a young girl. Sybil embraces her, and the film concludes with a voiceover stating that Sybil recovered her memories and lived a full, happy life as an academic.
- First release year
- 1976
- Runtime (minutes)
- 198
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Daniel Petrie
- Writers
- Stewart Stern · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Sally Field · Sybil Dorsett; Joanne Woodward · Dr. Cornelia Wilbur; Brad Davis · Richard; Martine Bartlett · Hattie Dorsett; Penelope Allen · Miss Penny; Jane Hoffman · Frieda Dorsett; Charles Lane · Dr. Quinoness; Jessamine Milner · Grandma Dorsett
- Genres
- Mystery drama
- Themes
- Child abuse; Psychological trauma; Dissociative identity disorder; Therapy
- Tone and mood
- Dramatic; Serious
- Premise and plot tags
- Based on a book; Based on actual events; Made-for-television
- Source material / true-story basis
- Sybil by Flora Rheta Schreiber
- Content notes
- Child abuse
- Reception
- Field's portrayal of Sybil won much critical acclaim, as well as an Emmy Award.
- Production trivia
- The band Tears for Fears named their 1985 album 'Songs From the Big Chair' after the film.; Director Anthony Page was removed from the production due to insensitivity to Field’s portrayal.; The film was initially shown over the course of two nights on NBC in 1976.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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