Saw (2004)

Two strangers awaken in a room with no recollection of how they got there, and soon discover they're pawns in a deadly game perpetrated by a notorious serial killer.

Director:

James Wan

Writers:

Leigh Whannell, James Wan (story)

Stars:

Cary Elwes, Leigh Whannell, Danny Glover

8 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Leigh Whannell	...	Adam Faulkner-Stanheight
Cary Elwes	...	Dr. Lawrence Gordon
Danny Glover	...	Detective David Tapp
Ken Leung	...	Detective Steven Sing
Dina Meyer	...	Kerry
Mike Butters	...	Paul
Paul Gutrecht	...	Mark
Michael Emerson	...	Zep Hindle
Benito Martinez	...	Brett
Shawnee Smith	...	Amanda
Makenzie Vega	...	Diana Gordon
Monica Potter	...	Alison Gordon
Ned Bellamy	...	Jeff
Alexandra Bokyun Chun	...	Carla (as Alexandra Chun)
Avner Garbi	...	Father

Storyline

Waking up in a bathroom, two men, Adam and Dr. Lawrence Gordon, discover they have been captured by the infamous Jigsaw Killer. The men must escape before time runs out, otherwise, they will face the deadly consequences.

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Plot Keywords:

locked in a room | trapped in a room | mind game | surprise ending | flashback | 

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Taglines:

Every puzzle has its pieces.

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong grisly violence and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Leigh Whannell Zep (Michael Emerson) was originally going to perform strange acts with the underwear in Alison's dresser, but Leigh Whannell cut it out as he thought it was "a bit too far" and it was re-written. Instead Zep held a gun to Diana's head while he listened to her heart.

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Goofs

When Lawrence tells Adam to throw him the tape player, Adam is sitting on the floor. Adam throws it straight ahead of him. Lawrence catches it in an upwards direction. From the angle Adam threw the player, whilst sitting on the floor, Lawrence would have to crouch down. Also, Adam threw the player with one hand. It is more likely the player would be turning as it is in the air. Lawrence catches the player in a non-spinning motion.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Adam: Help! Someone help me! Is someone there? Hey! Oh shit, I'm probably dead.

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Crazy Credits

The opening title ripples like it was underwater.

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Alternate Versions

The song "Bite The Hand That Bleeds" by Fear Factory that originally played over the end credits has been replaced on the uncut version of the film on DVD by an original piece of music by Charlie Clouser entitled "Zepp Overture".

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 20 Movies That Exceeded Expectations (2020)

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Soundtracks

Bite the Hand That Bleeds
Performed by Fear Factory
Written by Fear Factory (Olde Wolbers, Raymond Herrera, Burton C. Bell)
Published by BMG Music Publishing, Inc. (ASCAP)
Courtesy of Liquid 8 Records

User Reviews

Well made horror/thriller, two thumbs up

When two men, wake up and find themselves chained to a bathroom pipe, with a dead body lying in between them, they soon realize that they are prisoners, in the secure lair of a serial killer, nicknamed 'Jigsaw'.

This film was, in my opinion, exciting, thrilling, and an overall entertaining film to watch. It delivered the necessary chills, to keep its audiences fully awake, and engaged. This was an enormous achievement for Aussie newcomers – James Wan, and Leigh Wannell. The two have created a well-deserved horror/thriller, without the necessary clichés.The film is not too scary that it becomes unwatchable, so the full potential of its enormity will not be missed. definitely two thumbs uo for me.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 October 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jigsaw

Filming Locations:

Lacy Street Production Center - 2630 Lacy Street, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$18,276,468, 31 October 2004

Gross USA:

$56,000,369

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$103,911,669

Company Credits

Production Co:

Evolution Entertainment, Saw Productions Inc., Twisted Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby DTS (5.1 surround)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1