Really sorry to hear about this, Vincent.
Hm.
I'm thinking this film probably wasn't all dead, just the outer few winds of film on the roll. the rest would have been shielded from the light since it was tightly wound...
What Johan says reminds me of what happened to a bulk roll of Kentmere 400 I opened recently to load with my Alden 200.
When I opened the box I saw the film roll was in a black plastic bag, the upper part and opening of which had been folded around and under the roll. Thinking that "surely the film will be in a metal can", I took out the roll from the box, unfolded the plastic bag, reached in through the opening...and discovered raw unprotected film.
In a ridiculous moment, thinking that I could somehow prevent light from entering the bag, I hurriedly folded the plastic bag around film and clenched it tight with my hand.
As fate would have it, light seems not to have damaged the roll. I have so far shot rolls from the outermost parts of the bulk roll and they haven't been fogged. I'll see how the innermost parts of the bulk roll will be when I get to it. Perhaps the fact that the room was pretty dim (though by no means dark) saved me. We'll see.
Anyway, I'll be loading some XX tonight and will be extra careful.
philip