SAW WEEK ON IHDB
"SAW V" released on October 24th, 2008
For IHdb's review of the remaining films in the Saw franchise - as well as video extras, trailers, and much, much more - be sure to Follow Us on our Facebook Page during our exclusive Saw Week on IHdb!
Convicted murderer Seth Baxter wakes up chained to a table beneath a pendulum blade. A videotape informs him that he can release himself by crushing his hands between two presses. He does so, but the blade still swings down and cuts him in half as someone watches through a hole in the wall.
Back at the meatpacking plant, FBI Agent Peter Strahm (Scott Patterson) finds himself locked in teh sickroom after gunning down Jeff Denlon (Angus Macfadyen in a scene from Saw III), and discovers a hidden exit and a microcassette recorder, which urges him to stay in the sickroom. Ignoring it, Strahm is ambushed by a pig-masked figure. He wakes up with his head sealed in a box which quickly fills with water, but survives by performing a tracheotomy with his pen. Outside, Detective Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) delivers Corbett Denlon to the police and claims they are the only survivors, but is shocked when Strahm is brought out alive as well. During a press conference, Hoffman is promoted to detective lieutenant and credited with closing the case, but later finds a note in his office that reads "I know who you are". Hoffman visits Strahm in the hospital and learns of Strahm's suspiciions of him, which are dismissed by Strahm's superior, Dan Erickson (Mark Rolston). Leaving the hospital, Strahm steals the Jigsaw case files and continues to investigate on his own. One of the earliest scenes he investigates is the Baxter crimescene, and learns Baxter killed Hoffman's sister. In a flashback it is revealed that Hoffman imitated the Jigsaw killings to exact his revenge, but is later captured by the real Jigsaw, John Kramer (Tobin Bell), who blackmails Hoffman into working with him. Strahm realizes in the end that everyone was meant to die in the plant except for Corbett and Hoffman, who would become a hero and be rid of Kramer (as the only one who knows his secret - although he believes!).
Meanwhile, five seeming strangers - Brit (Julie Benz), Charles (Carlo Rota), Luba Gibbs (Meagan Good), Mallick (Greg Bryk), and Ashley (Laura Gordon) awaken in an underground room where a videotape claims that all five of them are connected (each was involved in a a different way with a building fire that killed eight people) and implores them to "do the opposite" of their instincts throughout the game. One by one, the five participants are killed in various gruesome ways, until only Brit and Mallick are left. They find a machine fitted with circular saws and a beaker requiring ten pints of blood to open the door. Noting the five armholes, they realize that all five of them were meant to work together to survive the game. With no other options, they saw their arms to provide the blood. Meanwhile, Erikson arrives at the observation room for the game, having followed a tracker in Strahm's phone (previously stolen by Hoffman), and discovers Brit and Mallick barely alive. Believing Stramn is responsible, Erickson orders Strahm arrested. Believing he is no longer suspected, Hoffman returns to his lair, but finds Strahm waiting for him. As the two struggle, Hoffman offers Strahm a final test of faith to survive. Who will live, and who will die?
Back at the meatpacking plant, FBI Agent Peter Strahm (Scott Patterson) finds himself locked in teh sickroom after gunning down Jeff Denlon (Angus Macfadyen in a scene from Saw III), and discovers a hidden exit and a microcassette recorder, which urges him to stay in the sickroom. Ignoring it, Strahm is ambushed by a pig-masked figure. He wakes up with his head sealed in a box which quickly fills with water, but survives by performing a tracheotomy with his pen. Outside, Detective Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) delivers Corbett Denlon to the police and claims they are the only survivors, but is shocked when Strahm is brought out alive as well. During a press conference, Hoffman is promoted to detective lieutenant and credited with closing the case, but later finds a note in his office that reads "I know who you are". Hoffman visits Strahm in the hospital and learns of Strahm's suspiciions of him, which are dismissed by Strahm's superior, Dan Erickson (Mark Rolston). Leaving the hospital, Strahm steals the Jigsaw case files and continues to investigate on his own. One of the earliest scenes he investigates is the Baxter crimescene, and learns Baxter killed Hoffman's sister. In a flashback it is revealed that Hoffman imitated the Jigsaw killings to exact his revenge, but is later captured by the real Jigsaw, John Kramer (Tobin Bell), who blackmails Hoffman into working with him. Strahm realizes in the end that everyone was meant to die in the plant except for Corbett and Hoffman, who would become a hero and be rid of Kramer (as the only one who knows his secret - although he believes!).
Meanwhile, five seeming strangers - Brit (Julie Benz), Charles (Carlo Rota), Luba Gibbs (Meagan Good), Mallick (Greg Bryk), and Ashley (Laura Gordon) awaken in an underground room where a videotape claims that all five of them are connected (each was involved in a a different way with a building fire that killed eight people) and implores them to "do the opposite" of their instincts throughout the game. One by one, the five participants are killed in various gruesome ways, until only Brit and Mallick are left. They find a machine fitted with circular saws and a beaker requiring ten pints of blood to open the door. Noting the five armholes, they realize that all five of them were meant to work together to survive the game. With no other options, they saw their arms to provide the blood. Meanwhile, Erikson arrives at the observation room for the game, having followed a tracker in Strahm's phone (previously stolen by Hoffman), and discovers Brit and Mallick barely alive. Believing Stramn is responsible, Erickson orders Strahm arrested. Believing he is no longer suspected, Hoffman returns to his lair, but finds Strahm waiting for him. As the two struggle, Hoffman offers Strahm a final test of faith to survive. Who will live, and who will die?
[Jigsaw's voice on a microcassette]
Jigsaw: Hello, Agent Strahm. If you're hearing this, then you've finally found what you've been looking for. But is the discovery of my body enough? Or will your insatiable hunger to uncover the truth push you deeper into the abyss? Heed my warning: do not proceed. For this room can either be you sanctuary, or it can be your grave. The choice is yours.
Top: John Kramer (Tobin Bell) - aka Jigsaw - blackmails Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) with the (above) murder of Seth Baxter (Joris Jarsky)
Almost immediately after the release of Saw IV, screenwriting partners Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan began work on Saw V, focusing primarily on the events that led up to Detective Mark Hoffman becoming an apprentice of the Jigsaw Killer, as well as his efforts to prevent anyone else from learning his secret. With productions scheduled to begin after Christmas 2007, Darren Lynn Bousman - the director of the previous three installments in the series - announced he would not be returning to direct Saw V. Series production designer and second unit director David Hackl was picked by producers Mark Burg and Oren Koules to make his directorial debut with the movie, with Saw III and IV's art director Anthony A. Ianni taking over Hackl's former duties - a monumental task since now Ianni would be tasked with designing and building the elaborate traps needed for production!
Series regulars Tobin Bell and Costas Mandylor were immediately announced to return for the next installment, reprising their roles of John Kramer/Jigsaw and Detective Mark Hoffman respectively. Betsy Russell would also reprise her role as Kramer's ex-wife Jill Tuck, with Scott Patterson returning to play Hoffman's nemesis, Agent Peter Strahm. There were in fact widespread rumors that Patterson would not be available for filming, resulting his appearance being relegated to a cameo, with an anticipation that Strahm would die in the early scenes. When really, the filmmakers were hoping to delay the revelation of Strahm being the main antagonist for the sequel. Saw V also introduced Mark Rolston's character of Agent Erickson (who would play a major role in this film and the next, Saw VI). Cast as the "fatal five", the participants of Jigsaws gruesome series of tests, were Julie Benz, Carlo Rota, Meagan Good, Greg Bryk and Laura Gordon. Donnie Wahlberg makes a brief appearance in a flashback sequence, and even Danny Glover was approached to reprise his role (again, in a flashback sequence), but was not available.
Series regulars Tobin Bell and Costas Mandylor were immediately announced to return for the next installment, reprising their roles of John Kramer/Jigsaw and Detective Mark Hoffman respectively. Betsy Russell would also reprise her role as Kramer's ex-wife Jill Tuck, with Scott Patterson returning to play Hoffman's nemesis, Agent Peter Strahm. There were in fact widespread rumors that Patterson would not be available for filming, resulting his appearance being relegated to a cameo, with an anticipation that Strahm would die in the early scenes. When really, the filmmakers were hoping to delay the revelation of Strahm being the main antagonist for the sequel. Saw V also introduced Mark Rolston's character of Agent Erickson (who would play a major role in this film and the next, Saw VI). Cast as the "fatal five", the participants of Jigsaws gruesome series of tests, were Julie Benz, Carlo Rota, Meagan Good, Greg Bryk and Laura Gordon. Donnie Wahlberg makes a brief appearance in a flashback sequence, and even Danny Glover was approached to reprise his role (again, in a flashback sequence), but was not available.
TRIVIA: The original screenplay called for the characters played by Meagan Good and Julie Benz to go through most of their ordeal wearing just their undergarments. The production team decided against this when they realized how committed and serious the two actresses were about their roles.
Top: FBI Agent Peter Strahm (Scott Patterson) searches for evidence proving Hoffman is guilty;
Above: Meanwhile, another brutal game is taking place with the "Fatal-Five" - Brit (Julie Benz), Charles (Carlo Rota), Luba Gibbs (Meagan Good), Mallick (Greg Bryk), and Ashley (Laura Gordon)
The opening trap of Saw V featured the gruesome Pendulum trap, no doubt inspired by the Edgar Allan Poe short story "The Pit and the Pendulum". The pendulum itself was actually a real working model, but for the times when actor Joris Jarsky (playing the murderer of Hoffman's sister Angelina, Seth Baxter) was placed underneath it the blade was replaced with a foam one. Likewise, the hand-crushers were foam too except for the close-up shots where they looked too fake, and then real heavy duty material was used then with a prosthetic hand inserted.
For the cube trap, Patterson was understandably a little apprehensive about sticking his head in a sealed box that would fill with water - the trap itself did not perform very well during testing, which only added to his concern. Ultimately, the actor stepped up and did the scene himself without resorting to a stuntman. The trick to the stunt is that the walls of the box were slid open by stagehands, draining the trap as soon as Patterson signaled with his hands. Several takes were required however to capture the scene as Patterson found himself uncomfortable at various points during the shooting of this scene. Not being aware of the final ending, Patterson eventually asked the SFX make-up team why they were taking molds of his arms. Patterson later laughingly recalled that the SFX technician, surprised he didn't know, told him that they were killing his character off at the end. For the finale where Strahm is crushed to death in the Coffin Trap, Patterson had his real arm taped around his waist, while the prosthetic arm was brutally snapped and crushed.
For the cube trap, Patterson was understandably a little apprehensive about sticking his head in a sealed box that would fill with water - the trap itself did not perform very well during testing, which only added to his concern. Ultimately, the actor stepped up and did the scene himself without resorting to a stuntman. The trick to the stunt is that the walls of the box were slid open by stagehands, draining the trap as soon as Patterson signaled with his hands. Several takes were required however to capture the scene as Patterson found himself uncomfortable at various points during the shooting of this scene. Not being aware of the final ending, Patterson eventually asked the SFX make-up team why they were taking molds of his arms. Patterson later laughingly recalled that the SFX technician, surprised he didn't know, told him that they were killing his character off at the end. For the finale where Strahm is crushed to death in the Coffin Trap, Patterson had his real arm taped around his waist, while the prosthetic arm was brutally snapped and crushed.
TRIVIA: Real animal blood was used for the final trap. The director said they wouldn't have used it if they'd known how bad it was going to smell.
Top: Debut director David Hackl;
Above: Hackl on set with star Costas Mandylor
Saw V was mostly remembered at the time of shooting for its extremely gory scenes. When director Hackl screened the film for composer Charlie Clouser, the musician actually had to turn his back to the footage of the final ordeal for the last two contestants as he couldn't stomach what he was seeing. Similarly, Julie Benz stated she was so affected by the intensity of her role in the film (particularly the gruesome climax) that she had nightmares!
In its opening weekend, Saw V grossed $30,053,954 in 3,060 theaters in the United States and Canada, ranking number two at the box office, behind High School Musical 3: Senior Year. This would be the second film in the series to not be number one at the box office (the first being the original Saw in 2004). Saw V was also the most poorly-reviewed film in the series (until the most recent Saw 3D in 2010), with review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reporting that only 12% of critics gave the film positive reviews. Elizabeth Weizman of the New York Daily News believed that the lack of Tobin Bell's Jigsaw character hurt the film: "Bell's deliciously twisted madman was the lifeline of this series, and without him, we're left watching a routine horror flick that might as well have gone straight to DVD. The series began with two major assets that set it apart: the concept of a brilliantly righteous executioner, and the actor who played him. Now, aside from Bell's brief, intermittent cameos, it has neither. So where the original Saw was diabolical fun, this fifth installment is as bloodless as the most unfortunate of Jigsaw's victims." Sam Adams of the Los Angeles Times wrote that "The virtues of the individual films are almost beside the point, since it's hard to imagine why anyone would want to pick up the thread at this late date, but Saw V is a particularly dull and discombobulated affair, shot and acted with all the flair of a basic-cable procedural". Some reviews were positive, however, with British website Digital Spy rating it 3/5 stars and commended the film for its "solid acting, slick direction and suitably filthy cinematography too", while also stating it will "make far more sense to those familiar with the previous installments".
For IHdb's review of the remaining films in the Saw franchise - as well as video extras, trailers, and much, much more - be sure to Follow Us on our Facebook Page during our exclusive Saw Week on IHdb!
In its opening weekend, Saw V grossed $30,053,954 in 3,060 theaters in the United States and Canada, ranking number two at the box office, behind High School Musical 3: Senior Year. This would be the second film in the series to not be number one at the box office (the first being the original Saw in 2004). Saw V was also the most poorly-reviewed film in the series (until the most recent Saw 3D in 2010), with review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reporting that only 12% of critics gave the film positive reviews. Elizabeth Weizman of the New York Daily News believed that the lack of Tobin Bell's Jigsaw character hurt the film: "Bell's deliciously twisted madman was the lifeline of this series, and without him, we're left watching a routine horror flick that might as well have gone straight to DVD. The series began with two major assets that set it apart: the concept of a brilliantly righteous executioner, and the actor who played him. Now, aside from Bell's brief, intermittent cameos, it has neither. So where the original Saw was diabolical fun, this fifth installment is as bloodless as the most unfortunate of Jigsaw's victims." Sam Adams of the Los Angeles Times wrote that "The virtues of the individual films are almost beside the point, since it's hard to imagine why anyone would want to pick up the thread at this late date, but Saw V is a particularly dull and discombobulated affair, shot and acted with all the flair of a basic-cable procedural". Some reviews were positive, however, with British website Digital Spy rating it 3/5 stars and commended the film for its "solid acting, slick direction and suitably filthy cinematography too", while also stating it will "make far more sense to those familiar with the previous installments".
For IHdb's review of the remaining films in the Saw franchise - as well as video extras, trailers, and much, much more - be sure to Follow Us on our Facebook Page during our exclusive Saw Week on IHdb!
ROTTEN TOMATOES SCORE: 12%
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