Viewers of Finding Michael have been left divided over the decision to blur dead bodies in the Spencer Matthews’ documentary.
It follows the Made In Chelsea star, 34, as he attempts to recover his late brother Michael’s body on Mount Everest, after he went missing in 1999.
Last week, the documentary was delayed by Disney+, with reports stating the streaming giant pulled the plug at the last minute because the film depicts dead bodies and needed to be re-edited.
The film was eventually released on 7 March, with dead bodies found during the search for Michael blurred.
And now some viewers are questioning whether the bodies needed to be censored at all, with one writing: ‘I am perplexed that a documentary about recovering a dead man’s body is blurring out images of dead bodies. The film opened with a disclaimer. Wonder if an unedited version will be available for mature adults who can handle mature scenes?’
Viewers of Finding Michael have been left divided over the decision to blur dead bodies in the Spencer Matthews’ documentary
The documentary was released on 7 March, with dead bodies found during the search for Michael blurred
However others disagreed, with one person responding: ‘Perhaps it’s out of respect to the families of those dead climbers?’
Another wrote: ‘It’s about finding Michael not seeing dead bodies.’
A third added: ‘It’s about the families of other lost people. Duh.’
A fourth commented: ‘The bodies were likely blurred out of respect for the victims themselves and their families as well as the viewers.’
‘Mixed emotions through watching that,’ another wrote. ‘Did not enjoy them looking through the bodies, it felt wrong.
‘But glad they decided to bring one of them back to help another family.’
Meanwhile others said they were stunned to learn how many bodies were dotted across Everest in the documentary.
One person wrote: ‘What a wonderful documentary, always enjoy seeing @nimsdai in his element.
‘The bodies found really hit me; so many families in the same position. Such a great gesture and the right thing to honour Michael.’
Another commented: ‘Anyone else shocked by the random bodies lying around Everest? Why do they just get left? Why don’t they get recovered? So many questions.’
Michael is said to have got in trouble after beginning to make his way down the south descent through the ‘death zone’ on May 13, 1999.
Some viewers are questioning whether the bodies needed to be blurred at all – but others said it was a ‘mark of respect’ to the families
He was the brother of Pippa Middleton’s husband, the racing driver turned hedge fund manager James Matthews, 47.
The experienced mountaineer, who had previously conquered Aconcagua, the Pyrenees and the Swiss Alps, was the 162nd person to die on Everest.
The former Made In Chelsea star filmed Finding Michael after his family received a photograph of a body which they thought could be Michael’s.
The programme was filmed with the help of survivalist Bear Grylls and record-breaking mountaineer Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja.
The documentary was due for release on 3 March, but premiered days later on 7 March.
At the time, a source told The Mirror: ‘This was a real disaster. After endless viewings, two official screenings and a entire campaign building up to a release on March 3 it was decided with hours to go that footage of bodies might be deemed insensitive.
‘Everest is often too dangerous to recover those who died in the death zone, and the film reflects that.
Meanwhile others said they were stunned to learn how many bodies were dotted across Everest in the documentary
‘The fact this was only raised with hours to go before the release – and public screenings – is astonishing.’
‘So the premiere date was just dropped. Meanwhile, Spencer is doing interviews in which he has to fudge the date. He was absolutely furious and there have been some very heated conversations this week.’
Spencer told his followers: ‘Apologies to everyone trying to view Finding Michael on Disney+.
‘The debut date has shifted and we’ll update you as soon as we have the timings.’
He continued: ‘This will be in the near future. Thank you all for your support.’
Fans of the show vented their anger at the streaming service on Twitter and questioned when the highly anticipated documentary would be available.
One viewer wrote: ‘Why has Finding Michael release date been pushed back? Promo for the documentary being released today has been happening all week, so why the last minute delay?
Upsetting: The new heart-wrenching programme follows Spencer as he attempts to recover his late brother Michael’s body on Mount Everest , after he went missing in 1999
Another added: ‘Well, the promo for Finding Michael is back now but states coming soon. It’s a shame you don’t update your paying customers on this, and as well as you ask for subscriptions.’
‘Where is Finding Michael? You said the drop date was 3rd March? It’s now 4th March and it’s nowhere to be seen, I rejoined you to watch this, so I’d like my subscription back for the month please? Just as an aside, don’t promise something if you can’t deliver it,’ another furious fan noted.
Someone else reasoned: ‘Maybe it’s tech issues? Especially giving how important it is to him and his family – he’ll be sticking to his planned commitments, he doesn’t control @DisneyPlusUK. It’s a shame but I’m sure it will be up soon.’
When contacted by MailOnline, Disney+ later said in a statement: ‘We’re sorry that the debut date for Finding Michael has shifted on Disney+.
‘We will let you know as soon as we have new timings for its launch. This will be in the near future. Thanks for your patience.’
Tragic: Michael is said to have got in trouble after beginning to make his way down the south descent through the ‘death zone’ on May 13, 1999
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