The Dybbuk
Synopsis
The Dybbuk is a made for TV film adaptation of a classic Jewish folktale. The story is about a young Jewish man, Sender (Theodore Bikel) who loves a young Jewish woman, Leah (Carol Lawrence) but her father arranges her marriage with another man. The grief of this causes Sender to die, but his spirit passes into the body of his beloved on her wedding day. Rabbi Azrael (Ludwig Donath), who serves as our narrator through the beginning of the film, is charged with the task of exercising Sender’s Dybbuk (sometimes defined as a malicious spirit or demon who possesses the living) from Leah’s body.
Top Cast
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Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Sidney Lumet
- Screenplay & Story
- Joseph Liss
- Original Title
- The Dybbuk
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 44m
- Production Studios
- Talent Associates
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Sidney Lumet
Joseph Liss, Sholom Ansky
Department Leadership Roster
Sidney Lumet
Director
Joseph Liss
Screenplay
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Dybbuk.
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Sidney Lumet Portfolio - Movies
Curated master portfolio of movies directed by Sidney Lumet Portfolio - Movies. Updated frequently. Last updated August 30, 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Dybbuk
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Dybbuk about?
The Dybbuk is a made for TV film adaptation of a classic Jewish folktale. The story is about a young Jewish man, Sender (Theodore Bikel) who loves a young Jewish woman, Leah (Carol Lawrence) but her father arranges her marriage with another man. The grief of this causes Sender to die, but his spirit passes into the body of his beloved on her wedding day. Rabbi Azrael (Ludwig Donath), who serves as our narrator through the beginning of the film, is charged with the task of exercising Sender’s Dybbuk (sometimes defined as a malicious spirit or demon who possesses the living) from Leah’s body.
Who directed The Dybbuk?
The Dybbuk was directed by Sidney Lumet.
Who stars in The Dybbuk?
The principal cast of The Dybbuk includes Theodore Bikel, Sylvia Davis, Ludwig Donath, Vincent Gardenia, Stefan Gierasch.
When was The Dybbuk released and how long is it?
The Dybbuk was released in 1960 with a total runtime of 1h 44m.