Sybil

Why this remake which is far more truthful than the 1976 MOW starring Sally Field didn't get more attention is a mystery? Lifetime has aired it a few times in 2010, since CBS failed give it a huge MOW, when it was finally aired in the US. Hopefully it will be released on DVD soon, if you have the chance it is worth watching. Tammy Blanchard and Jessica Lange deserved Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG, nominations for this gem. Both actresses bring emotional depth and humility to the characters they are playing. The subject matter is heart breaking, as the story unfolds and you learn all that Sybil has survived in her past. Her life is unfolding and she finally meets someone who can help. As they begin treatment, both women grow and face their deepest fears. Bringing darkness to the light and helping make history.

The plot line is decent I'll give it that. But I think it's a bad movie. I give movies a fair chance and this one I shouldn't have. Do not recommend

When it comes to remake's I'm definitely not a fan but have given some a chance. My judgement watching a remake is very tough because it has to at least be somewhat near the original. It's been 48 years since the original with Sally Field and Jo Ann Woodward and their performances were incredible. Now watching the new version my first thought was of course the two main leads Tammy Blanchard and Jessica Lange were good.

Here they mainly show the child abuse in small pieces focusing mainly on character and patient study between doctor and patient. Their performances are good and together they compliment the original. Tammy Blanchard kinda had big shoes to fill playing the part of Sybil, Jessica Lange herself gave a stellar performance. It's hard to compare both movie's as they both covered a case unheard. The one thing that grabbed my attention quickly was the length. They took a 3 hour movie and made it a 85 minute one. So what impressed me is this movie isn't rushed they just don't focus that much on the abuse the original did but focus on the treatment.

I would recommend this as this one actually stands tall by itself and doesn't insult the original. Shockingly this movie wasn't up for any Awards such as Emmy or Golden Globe and both actresses gave award worthy performances in my opinion.

The only thing that hurt this movie from getting a 10/10 from me is that even though this movie wasn't rushed it doesn't give ample time to feel the main characters. It jumps too fast and feeling for them becomes a challenge. Still I give it a 8/10 for a great try.

First, let me say one thing about people who don't feel the story of 'Sybil' is 'real,' or 'true;'

You must remember; the original film was a version of the book, Sybil, which in turn was made from the work-notes of Dr. Cornelia Wilbur, who - to shield her patient's privacy - had to...'adjust' the story.

In other words, the film was not simple 'here-say' - it was a 3rd (or, perhaps 4th) generation of the story removed from the source.

Whatever the case may be, the CORE of the story - the HORRORS Sybil (Shirley Ardell Mason (1923–1998) endured, were so, so overwhelmingly sad.

I - like a many of you - had seen the original SYBIL, with Sally Field, and, for many years, I liked it (it's weird to say 'like' about such a harrowing tale).

The hall-of-mirrors-from-hell tale - and Ms. Fields' riveting performance - stayed indelibly etched in my mind.

As the original version was made-for-TV in the '70's, the true horrors Sybil endured had to be 'cleaned up.'

But, what was there, was a terrifying story of a young woman's tortured life.

I only saw this version for the 1st time a year ago, and, I've always on the fence, when I hear 'remake,' because, they're usually inferior.

This was one of the few exceptions.

As embodied by Tammy Blanchard, this SYBIL (who does somewhat have a similarity to Ms, Fields' Sybil) is touch more rounded.

Ms. Blanchard gives a brilliant performance (why isn't Ms. Blanchard's name better known?!?! She CAN act!), and, as the strict confines which were imposed on first filmed version of this story have loosened, much more of the horrors Sybil endured at the hands of her mother are shown (in this case, it helps the viewer better understand the depths of depravity done to Sybil and the damage incurred, and it's even more poignant).

Jessica Lange's Dr. Wilbur - while I don't think much 'better' than Ms. Woodward's performance, definitely is portrayed by Ms. Lange with enough strength to help sustain - not only the drama, but, to portray a person (who happens to be a doctor) who Sybil can actually count on, and whose VERY in-depth support of Sybil enabled Sybil to be 'born whole' and live.

I remember when the original version was shown, how, soon after, seeing people reading the book was a common sight. The story is just so shocking, so unusual (remember, at the time - before Springer, et al, when people's problems are flaunted EVERYWHERE, this WAS an almost 'unique' story).

I commend the performers, and the entire production, as a good example of a remakes which can actually dig deeper, enhance a story, rather than the all-to-common ripping off the original.

This Sybil - more than amply - stands on it's own (VERY) strong legs.

I always thought that the scariest things in the world, among everything shown in terror movies, were not monsters, supernatural, or things like that. It's people, and all the terrible things that they can do to each other. And the everlasting scars that are left, so hard to heal. That's what comes to my mind, after a short reflection. How much of the story is real, we may never know. It's highly controversial, and it seems that all the people involved are not around anymore. But it doesn't really matter. Even considering this history as a fiction, it looks frightfully real, because it brings us the memory of so many people whose minds and lives have been shattered through child abuse. On the other hand, it does remind us of the amazing difference that a single person who care can do. Anyway, it's a great and touching movie, with a nice production and great acting. Certainly worth a close look!