Obsessed with teaching his victims the value of life, a deranged, sadistic serial killer abducts the morally wayward. Once captured, they must face impossible choices in a horrific game of survival. The victims must fight to win their lives back, or die trying...

STARRING:

Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Monica Potter, Michael Emerson, Ken Leung, Tobin Bell, Leigh Whannell

SCREENWRITER: Leigh Whannell

DIRECTOR: James Wan

RUNNING TIME: 102 minutes

STUDIO: Lions Gate

Average Hollywood Guys Rating: D -

• A version of the reverse bear trap scene from the movie was shot by screenwriter Leigh Whannell and director James Wan and submitted to various studious along with their movie pitch. The pitch was finally accepted and was originally set to be a straight to video release, but after positive screenings of the film, it was allowed to be released theatrically.
• One of the reasons this movie was approved was due to director James Wan agreeing not to take an upfront salary for directing this film. he instead agreed to a percentage of the earnings. The movie made a surprising amount of money at the box office. It did so well that the script for Saw 2 was approved on the film's opening weekend.
• This movie was shot in a hectic 18 day schedule, with all of the bathroom scenes being completely shot with in 6 days. Even the film's pre-production was done in amazing 5 days. Adding to the speedy shoot schedule, the film was also cut at the same time it was being shot.
• The actors did not get rehearsal shots, the rehearsal shots were the actual shots used in the movie.
• Originally this movie was given an NC-17 rating because of the "tone" of the movie. In order to get the desired R rating, the film had to cut a few scenes as well as even the color and sound out. The un-cut film festival version can be seen on the DVD.