Do you HAVE to re-wind 35 mm film before putting it onto a spool?

Did you press the rewind button? If you don't, the film won't rewind.

You can open the back in a darkroom and fish the film off the take up spool.

If you think the film has not rewound then you MUST open the back of the camera in complete darkness (no safe light) and wind the film onto the spool before sealing it in the developing tank.

If you are unsure about doing it - practice in the light with an old bit of already developed film, then practice with your eyes closed.

Thanks fhotoace, they have side-rooms for being in total darkness besides the large darkroom with the safelights so I've got that covered. Trying to talk one of the TA's into doing it for me but I might just have to hope I can feel my way through it.

Camera stores used to sell changing bags back in the days of film. Maybe they still do. It was a black bag with elastic cuffs at the wrist and you had to do everything by touch.

You can remove to unwound roll, providing it's in TOTAL darkness.