A Major Disappointment

It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

This movie is ridiculously good! I watched it in high school for Psychology class. It is so well filmed even by today's standards. Definitely worth a buy and watch, because all I can say is "wow!" Get this movie if you like watching anything that deals with really weird scenarios and personality disorders.All I can say is that Sybil should be seen as a classic movie and so well filmed for the time that it came out. It will surprise you to see the quality of this film.Anyone that is interested in psychology at all will be stunned by this movie. I would definitely invest in this movie for my collection!

I am not sure if anyone has commented on the ending, but I loved it! I am a huge movie buff, and this movie touched me a great deal. The ending contains her hugging herself under hypnosis, but she is really hugging one part of herself named Peggy. It was beautiful, and it makes me glad that I am an actress. Sally Field makes me truly believe that telling someone's story to the best of our ability is the most precious thing that we can do as actors and actresses. We add our own needs and wants and wishes to the character. We attempt to humanize them and show who they really are. Their triumphs, sufferings, loves, and hurts. We even show the most of what they loathe. This movie is an inspiration to everyone. Joanne Woodward was also wonderful in The Long Hot Summer and The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man On the Moon Marrigolds. Hopefully I spelled that right....Anyway, the film was wonderful, and I am thrilled that I had the honor of seeing it.

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

I have D.I.D. Out of the many portrayals and interviews that people in the media are exposed to, Sybil is about as close to the real thing that I've seen. Although I do tire seeing people with DID/MPD being portrayed as helpless and totally out of it. I have several friends that have DID and none of them are as portrayed in the media. I am a Paramedic and police dispatcher and have been for ten years... before that, I worked as a therapist as a social worker. I've always held a job and on those rare instances when the entire personality system does fall apart (all puns intended), there is almost always someone inside the personality system to take the reins. That's what is inherent about DID... the ability to persevere and "act normally" through the rough stuff. Sybil paved the way for future generations the way that Joanne Woodward paved the way for her generation into a better understanding of the way that DID works. I'm happy that they released the DVD (although I have yet to purchase it) now on the 30th anniversary. It is a testament to the perseverance of the human condition in times of severe abuse. I only wish that I could have met Shirley Ardell Mason and congratulated her and thanked her for her courageousness.