Could that movie have hit as hard (subjective) if the nun rape scene wasn't included, or at least as vivid and dramatic as it was? We know what we know now, but if the movie came out, basically as close to the original, without that nun scene, or at least the same scene, but not as dramatic or vivid, would the movie be just as good overall? Would it be looked at as a classic or cult film?
I think that the movie was good enough to remain a great movie, even if the storyline was slightly altered, it could have had a pivotal scene which was just as deep.