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.
