Video: Mark Kermode talks the original cut of Legion and different edits of the spiderwalk scene

IMHO, Mark Kermode is not eliminating CGI at all. Kermode is rather tongue-in-cheek toward the end of video with his friend and director of FOG, Nick Jones. There is no direct evidence of the filming of a bloody spiderwalk scene presented. Friedkin already answered that question: http://pages.zoom.co.uk/the.exorcist/Html/friedkin_faqs.htm.

The question from the fan to Kermode is regarding the disappointment in TVYNS because, “One of the scenes had been changed … the spiderwalk. Now, NOW, she pukes up blood, which looks stupid. Why, oh, why did Billy Friedkin change a perfectly good scene?”

Kermode states the following about the spiderwalk scene: “We found ALL the footage, the outtake footage that Friedkin had forgotten he shot.” In finding ALL the footage, Kermode has convinced me that he did get it ALL.

There is no filmed bloody version. This is simply a hypothesis because I do not think Friedkin had carte blanche on the editing room floor materials, which WB owns. The bloody spiderwalk did not vanish with Friedkin, nor did he have special ownership rights to any part of the film.

Further, WB granted Kermode access to the vaults in 1997/1998. In my opinion, Kermode is THE “expert on the subject.” In fact, I believe Kermode would have worked on two variations of this critical non-existent scene with Nick Jones (a bloodless and bloody version) for his FOG documentary. Why would Kermode only use one version when he hit the mother load by finding ALL the spiderwalk material? Put simply, he did not find a bloody scene.

While viewing the original spiderwalk, you can see that the very same scene, sans the blood, is identical to the TVYNS. The scene has a closer crop in the 2000 version and the color is more even in tonal value. Through CGI, Hager’s mouth is poised in an open position with the blood pouring from it for a more climactic ending. Without this climax, the scene could have gone on with Regan on all fours (quadrupedal style) with a snake-like tongue lashing at Sharon’s ankles … the way in which Blatty wrote it for the novel and script.

Kermode’s ending asks us to believe what we want as he crosses his arms. He asks us to “decide for ourselves.” That is the true tongue-in-cheek message Kermode is delivering. Just MHO … despite the ongoing debate.

You’re right Witch about the bee. However, he is slowly dying from suffocation and I’m about to free the little pest. You and I have agreed for the main part on this subject after reviewing the past threads. Also, when Friedkin states there was no alternate ending other than the one we’ve already scene, I take that at face value. Friedkin is such a “car salesman” that he would have rambled on more about the various versions of the scene, yet he didn’t.

For now, I saying CGI. But, this is up for interpretation if you listen carefully to Kermode.

Ahhh, sweet mysteries of life …

The bee is making a jagged buzzing sound:

Friedkin states from my link above:

“We restored everything we had that was complete in both sound and picture. The spider walk had to be digitally restored for the new release.” So, “digital restoration” eliminates CGI? Not hardly as we read Friedkin’s additional statement …

“Now with digital technology, we have been able to make it look convincing. There was no alternate version of this shot.” Break that down: 1. Digital technology = CGI that we see throughout the film used for the spiderwalk as well; 2. Make it look convincing = an indicator (a big one) that denotes the use of CGI; 3. No alternate version shot = It was filmed just as we see it in Kermode’s FOG documentary. Friedkin is very clear in that last statement.

I am still going with CGI … unless Linda R. Hager swallowed a massive amount of fake blood and actually vomited it during her descent or she had a HUGE mouth. There is too much blood, too perfectly executed for that long of a descent = CGI.

BTW, why would Friedkin ignore the CGI capabilities in 2000? After all, he didn’t like the look of the projectile vomiting scene apparatus made by Dick Smith. So he had that quick scene painted by hand to “make it look convincing.”

I have now shot several “logic bullets.” I’m just waiting for them to ricochet!

Witch, why would would “hate to admit” you agree on this? Curious.

Witch, tsk, tsk, on being vicious for everyone to read publicly.

If it were only as simple as you said about today’s technology being a no-brainer. The one thing I enjoy is contributing to this great website about my favorite film and the points of interests that actually seem to “put the bees in others’ bonnets” sometimes.

“I love to talk film, to discuss, to critique …”