This film was produced in the 70's when psychiatry and therapy was still considered taboo. Witness the statement by Sybil's father (Prince) when he is confronted with her need for medical treatment: ..."Armageddon, Sybil, that's how it begins; the devil works through these doctors...a sea of lost souls in a hospital"... How sad that many of these stigmas still exist in our society.
Sybil Dorsett, as portrayed by Sally Field, is a marked example of what occurs to children all over the world, and the statistics are still frightening. Field portrayed the real life lead by Sybil, an intelligent woman plagued by illness, and living on the $40.00 per month her father sent her to live in a dilapidated New York City tenement.
Joanne Woodward is excellent as Dr. Cornelia Wilbur, the eminent psychoanalyst who delved into Sybil's past to discover the root of her illness. It is quite interesting during one scene where Wilbur speaks to Sybil's pediatrician, who, while reading the files from her childhood, realized the extent of physical abuse the child had endured.
Hattie Dorsett, Sybil's mother, was brilliantly portrayed by Martine Bartlett ("I Never Promised You a Rose Garden"). Hattie verbally, emotionally, and physically brutalized Sybil for years. Hattie never received treatment, though she was diagnosed with dementia praecox-today known as paranoid schizophrenia.
This film is important and informative. It is based on truth, deals with illnesses that can be treated medically, where the only agenda should be to treat the patient. 10/10
Sybil Dorsett, as portrayed by Sally Field, is a marked example of what occurs to children all over the world, and the statistics are still frightening. Field portrayed the real life lead by Sybil, an intelligent woman plagued by illness, and living on the $40.00 per month her father sent her to live in a dilapidated New York City tenement.
Joanne Woodward is excellent as Dr. Cornelia Wilbur, the eminent psychoanalyst who delved into Sybil's past to discover the root of her illness. It is quite interesting during one scene where Wilbur speaks to Sybil's pediatrician, who, while reading the files from her childhood, realized the extent of physical abuse the child had endured.
Hattie Dorsett, Sybil's mother, was brilliantly portrayed by Martine Bartlett ("I Never Promised You a Rose Garden"). Hattie verbally, emotionally, and physically brutalized Sybil for years. Hattie never received treatment, though she was diagnosed with dementia praecox-today known as paranoid schizophrenia.
This film is important and informative. It is based on truth, deals with illnesses that can be treated medically, where the only agenda should be to treat the patient. 10/10