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:

This Halloween, he's pulling out all the stops.

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong grisly violence and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shawnee Smith originally turned the role of Amanda down. After it was offered to her a second time, she watched the original short film by Leigh Whannell and James Wan, and accepted the role.

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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

German Collector's Edition by Kinowelt contains R-rated version (with commentary, making-of & English DTS-ES sound) and uncut version (labeled "Director's cut", with unrated music-video and a soundtrack CD). The Saw I + II steelbook edition includes what is labeled the "US director's cut" of Saw I. This version replaces the logos (new Lionsgate logo, Twisted Pictures logo instead of Evolution Management logo) at the beginning and removes some moments between Adam and Dr. Gordon at the end (ca. 33 seconds).

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Connections

Referenced in Special Collector's Edition: La princesa prometida (2011)

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Soundtracks

You Make Me Feel So Dead
Performed by Pitbull Daycare
Written by Stephen Ladd Bishop, Charles Todd Conally and Don Van Stavern
Published by Dimension Gate Music (BMI)/FEC Music (ASCAP)
Courtesy of Cleopatra Records

User Reviews

It ain't "Last House..." But comes really close!

In Wes Craven's film "Last House on the Left" two teenage girls are kidnapped, taken into woods nearby one of them's house, and tortured literally to death. Then the killers are met by sterner justice from the parents who lived in the last house on the left. This film included disembowelment, chest carving, stabbing, choking, shooting, fist thrown...the works. And to top it all off to boot, Craven had a social commentary to add to the already intense storyline.

This film was a lot like "Last House..." with the exception of the moral at the end. this film was a plain, scare the pants off ya, turn the lights on in the middle of the night, scream out loud till ya barf twice go crazy, deadbolt your doors, pray you die early type of scare film. Two men are locked in a sewage room and must try to kill one another in order to be free. Other characters and lot twist are added along the way. But the film is executed unnervingly!

Elwes and the other dude were really great in their roles. Danny Glover, as a dried out, discharged obsessed cop was great with what little time he had on screen. The rest of the cast did their own little private parts to make it pleasant. Intense character build up creates a surrealistic atmosphere that makes the audience concentrate on exactly what is going on.. creepy stuff.

Audiences who see this will probably not be sleeping for awhile...

Don't see it alone!

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