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Sally Field, Joanne Woodward, Martine Bartlett, William Prince, Jane Hoffman ... see more see more... , Brad Davis , Gordon Jump , Natasha Ryan , Charles Lane

The multiple award-winning made-for-TV movie Sybil was based on the book by Flora Rheta Schreiber. Sally Field won an Emmy for her portrayal of the title character, a substitute teacher in New York wh... read more read more...o has developed multiple personality disorder. As a coping mechanism to deal with the abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother, Hattie (Martine Bartlett), Sybil created separate personalities: aggressive Peggy Lou, suicidal Mary, baby Sybil Ann, and several others. Joanne Woodward plays Dr. Cornelia Wilbur, the psychologist who diagnoses Sybil's condition and helps her to get over it. William Prince and Jane Hoffman play her father and stepmother, while Brad Davis appears as her would-be boyfriend Richard. Originally shown in 1976 as a two-part special on NBC for a total of almost four hours, but most home video versions have been edited down to two hours. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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86% liked it

8,765 ratings

Unrated, 2 hr. 2 min.

Directed by: Daniel Petrie Sr, Daniel Petrie

Release Date: January 1, 1976

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DVD Release Date: May 23, 2006

Stats: 697 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (697)


  • November 18, 2011
    Sybil: Don't you dare tell, or I'll fix it so you ain't got nothin' to tell with. 

    Sybil is a movie that definitely has that tv feel to it. It isn't overly well made and is not an incredible movie on the subject. But the subject is extremely interesting and that is what makes th... read moree film watchable throughout. Sally Fields does a good job playing a variety of personalities through one person.

    The story is the true story of a woman whose childhood was so awful that she had to escape into other personalities. We see a few of them in the movie, but it is known that there were at least 13 of them. We slowly learn why Sybil is the way she is as she does. A psychiatrist makes her remember all of the horrible things that happened to her as a child in order for her to get better.

    I would like to see a new movie made on Sybil's life. A movie that goes deeper into her personalities and her childhood, that isn't made for tv. But being that this one is a made for tv film, it isn't all that bad.
  • December 30, 2010
    Excellent performance by Sally Field!
  • October 18, 2009
    Sally Field is the definition of arresting. This movie is mystery, thriller, and character study all wrapped up into something unforgettable.
  • July 29, 2007
    Sad movie about a woman who has multiple personalities. Sally Field is excellent.
  • April 10, 2007
    parts of this are difficult to watch but sally field's unbelievable performance makes it a can't miss experience.
  • May 2, 2012
    Sally Field was amazing in this. DID is such an interesting illness, and it was very entertaining to watch Field play all of the characters so well. Though it was fairly long (a little over 3 hours), I didn't find myself bored or wanting it to end at any point.
  • March 18, 2009
    An awesome drama and Sally Field is captivating.
  • December 20, 2007
    Brilliant!
  • March 3, 2011
    Sally Field does an amazing part in this movie. She plays a woman who lives alone in a New York apartment, and suffers with multiple personality disorder. She has constant flashbacks of her painful childhood where her mother abused her. She meets a boy that trys to understand her... read more and work with her psychiatrist to help her understand her disorder. I would recommend this movie to anyone, you wont be sorry you watched it!
  • November 17, 2009
    Crazy long but necessary to convey the controversial life of Sybil (Field). I'd recommend it if you have an extra 3hrs to watch an outstanding movie on one intense schizo story.

Critic Reviews


Don Willmott
July 9, 2006
Don Willmott, Filmcritic.com

Powerful stuff. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Sybil : Watch Free on TV


Sybil Trivia


  • In the movie Sybil, how many distinct personalities did Sybil have?  Answer »
  • In the movie Sybil, how many distinct personalities did Sybil have? check out IMBD.com  Answer »
  • In the final scenes of the 2005 The Family Stone, (the second Christmas), Amy is seen wearing something that Sybil wore the previous Christmas. What is it?  Answer »
  • What was the name of the cop in Silent Hill ?  Answer »

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