(This article contains spoiler info. If you are not aware that Al Pacino's character had Insomnia in the movie Insomnia, you might want to just head to our reviews page.)

Christopher Nolan's remake of the 1997 Norwegian film Insomnia has been well received by critics, even if it is acknowledged to be not quite as subtle as the original. Well, it turns out that the first scenes that Nolan shot were even LESS "ambiguous." Nervous studio executives were afraid viewers would not be able to tell Pacino's Will Dormer had insomnia. Additionally, Nolan had troubles reigning in his megastar leads, Al Pacino and Robin Williams.

Cultureshark obtained some unfinished clips from the production and we now provide you with an exclusive peek so you can see how the movie evolved from its original style.

One early scene was intended to establish clearly that Dormer has insomnia:

INT. POLICE STATION

DETECTIVE ELLIE: So, what do you think, wise old Detective Dormer?

DORMER: HOO-HAH! What do I think? I think I got INSOMNIA! I think if I were about 10 years YOUNGER, I'd have had this case solved by now! But I CAN'T SLEEP!

(DORMER storms off)

FRED: What's his beef?

ELLIE: He's got insomnia, a medical condition in which you can't sleep.

FRED: Can't sleep? Wow, I'll bet that drives him nuts.

ELLIE: Yeah, I hate it when that happens. Who knows how that might impair his judgment or behavior? I mean, gee whiz!

(DORMER returns)

DORMER: HOO-HAH!

ELLIE: So, about the case, Detective –

DORMER: Everybody out of my way! You want to talk about solving cases, and I'm sitting here with BAGS under my eyes! I got insomnia!

FRED: Have you tried pills?

DORMER: Pills? You can take your little BULLSHIT Alaska Dr. Eskimo Feelgood garbage and get outta here. I can't take pills.

Later, Dormer, in the midst of another sleepless night, calls the front desk clerk, Rachel, played by Maura Tierney.

INT. DORMER'S HOTEL ROOM

DORMER: Front desk?

RACHEL: Yes. Hello. Is this Mr. Dormer?

DORMER: Yeah, this is Dormer. HOO-HAH!

(RACHEL grimaces and pulls the phone away from her ear)

DORMER: I still got INSOMNIA! Hoo-hah!

RACHEL: Well, have you tried taping over the windows –

DORMER: I tried that the first night I couldn't sleep! And let me tell you, lady…it ain't working. I got BAD insomnia!

RACHEL: Well, what can I do for you, Mr. Dormer!

DORMER: I want some WARM MILK!

RACHEL: We can bring that right up.

DORMER: Better make it 2% though.

RACHEL: OK.

DORMER: None of that SKIM bullshit, you hear me?

RACHEL: Yes, Detective.

DORMER: And plenty of it! HOO-HAH!

RACHEL: Yes, we'll bring it right up –

DORMER: (pounding his desk) GIMME ALL YOU GOT! GIMME ALL YOU GOT!

RACHEL: Uh, no need to yell, Mr. Dormer.

DORMER: You're LECTURING ME on ETIQUETTE? I can't SLEEP here!

RACHEL: Have you tried the pay-per-view? I think they're showing Life as a House tonight.

DORMER: Pay-per-view! Those bastards in L.A. barely are paying for my coffee! Which I shouldn't be drinking 'cause I got insomnia!

Nevertheless, Dormer tries her idea, and later we see him in his bed, eyes narrowing, as Kevin Kline drones on in the background until the telephone rings.
Another key early scene established the relationship between the eager Ellie and the grizzled Dormer.

INT. POLICE STATION

ELLIE: Detective Dormer, shucks, I know I'm just a plum rookie and all, but golly, sir, I have to ask you something.

DORMER: Let me get this straight--you're telling me that I was the one that shot my own partner? And I've been running around teaming up with that psycho SON OF A BITCH Finch so I could cover my OWN ass?

ELLIE: Uh, no, I was just asking you if you wanted a cream-filled or a glazed donut.

DORMER: Oh. Oh. Yeah. Well, maybe I was a little edgy there...I got insomnia, see. I ain't sleeping so good…yeah…Forget that part about teaming with Finch, OK?

Thankfully, Nolan eventually cut a harrowing three-minute long sequence in which Dormer, in bed but neither asleep nor fully awake, hallucinates that maniacal sheep are hunting after him and his partner Hap.

INT. DORMER'S HOTEL ROOM

DORMER: Come on, you wooly-ass sons of bitches! Gimme all you got! I seen tougher than you in the elementary schools in my precinct!

A pivotal scene in which Dormer is present while local police question Robin Williams' character Walter Finch, in relation to the murder of was also rather rough in its first incarnation.

FINCH: Why are you asking me these questions? You should be going after her boyfriend, Randy.

DORMER: Don't give me that bullshit about Randy! Especially considering I got insomnia!

FINCH: (singing) I want Randy! (clapping hands) I want Randy!

(he gets up on desk and starts dancing)

FINCH: (speaking like Bill Clinton) I did not have sexual relations with that woman.
(puts hands in front of his crotch) Hey! Don't look under the desk!

ELLIE: Uh...

DORMER: This ain't helping my insomnia! HOO-HAH!

FINCH: Check out this Dormer guy-he looks like Serpico after a bender in West Hollywood. The situation's not yours to control Will. (Imitating John Wayne, he turns to ELLIE) It's not yours, either, pilgrim.

DORMER: Why the hell are you talking like that?

FINCH: Can you imagine John Wayne doing Hamlet and then if HE killed her?
(Imitating John Wayne) Alas, poor, Dormer, I knew her well.

ELLIE: Uh, I think we've asked all we want to, Mr. Finch.

FRED: Yeah, you're free to go. Like, right now. Seriously. We'll call a cab.

FINCH: Maybe it was a Canadian! (singing) Blame Canada! Did I tell you my next novel is gonna be based on Gandhi-I'm calling it "Who's Sari Now?"

DORMER: You're just gonna let this asshole go?

ELLIE: Wouldn't you?

FINCH: What about Randy? (to the tune of "Brandy") "Randy, you're a fine boy, what a suspect you would…be"

DORMER: (lunging at FINCH): Listen, you able-to-sleep son of a bitch. We're done hearing about Randy!

(ELLIE and FRED pull WILL off FINCH)
(FINCH pulls out a big red clown nose and puts it on his own nose)

FINCH: All I really want is to be loved. Is that so wrong?

ELLIE: Just leave as soon as possible, sir, and, golly, we won't ask to talk to you ever again…we guarantee it.

Finally, the original ending to Insomnia was dramatically different, as this brief excerpt reveals.

INT. POLICE STATION

DORMER: If I were HALF the man I was…I'd take a FLAMETHROWER to this place!

(ELLIE approaches from behind him and knocks him over the head with a billy club)
(DORMER slumps to the ground and lies still, totally unconscious as the other officers applaud and cheer)

ELLIE: I should have done that DAYS ago. Now maybe we can get some work done and finally figure out what's been going on here, golly gee whiz. I mean, jeepers!

(Camera slowly pulls back to reveal cops busily working at their desks while Dormer lies still on the floor)

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