All 10 films from the franchise that created a new horror subgenre – including the latest chapter, SAW X – are collected here in one terrifying set. Rewind to the beginning when Jigsaw first springs his diabolically ingenious traps on the morally wayward, then travel his long road of pain all the way to Mexico in the newest entry’s untold story of John Kramer’s quest for a cancer cure, inspiring his most personal game yet.
For in-depth thoughts on Spiral: From The Book Of Saw, please see my review of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.
For in-depth thoughts on Saw X, please see my review of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray here.
For thoughts on the Saw 10-Film Collection, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:
Video Quality
The Saw 10-Film Collection brings together all ten films that have been released in the Saw universe so far with their original individual Blu-Ray releases outside of Saw, which was given an updated disc in 2021 when bundled with the 4K UHD Blu-Ray release. Four of the ten films have been released on 4K UHD Blu-Ray (the original and the latest three), but unfortunately, Lionsgate has not deemed it vital to upgrade the lingering films to this superior format or include the existing 4K UHD discs in this package. This release DOES include all of the films on DVD alongside their Blu-Ray releases. We would normally not note this, but these discs do include special features not on the Blu-Ray discs for the first three films, plus Saw III gets an extended Director’s Cut only found on DVD. Details about these supplements can be found in the corresponding section below. All of the DVDs after Saw III have no unique content when compared to their Blu-Ray counterparts.
While this release celebrating 20 years of Saw is a bit underwhelming due to the lack of 4K UHD discs or even remastered Blu-Ray discs for more of the early movies, there are some positives worth noting. If you did not collect these discs as they were originally released, you may have seen some multi-film packs pop up after the past few installments. These releases often crammed more than one film per disc which led to horrendous compression issues, not to mention the absence of some special features. These films are quite ugly by default, but by going back to each film having its own disc, they are allowed to look much better. That being said, the oldest discs in this set were first released back in 2007, and they were not the best looking discs even at that time. All of the films from Saw II to Saw: The Final Chapter could use a refresh.
In general, you can look at the series and see the visuals become more appealing as the installments get closer to modern day. The exception is the lovely remastered Blu-Ray for the original Saw, but otherwise, this holds true. Jigsaw, Spiral, and Saw X look quite nice on Blu-Ray with black levels that are deep and detailed with digital noise largely absent from the screen. The highlights show no evidence of blooming and skin tones look natural and realistic throughout as they show a great amount of facial detail. Colors look authentic to the intended color grade, which is often very dour and desaturated. The older discs are simply the opposite of this with murky black levels, a notable amount of digital noise, and details that are nowhere near as crisply defined as what you would see a decade later starting with Jigsaw. These early Blu-Ray discs could use another pass, but they are acceptable until we can get a proper remaster. It’s never going to be a stunning series, but it deserves better.
Audio Quality
Much like the video side of things, the more recent installments of the franchise knock it out of the park with their audio track while the older Blu-Rays from the earlier installments struggle for nuance. Saw, Jigsaw, Spiral, and Saw X boast a Dolby Atmos track that fully engulfs you in this narrative. Dialogue is presented clearly without ever being drowned out by any of the competing sonic elements. The score is always one of the featured elements of the franchise, and it brings to life a truly unsettling soundscape that amps up the creepy factor. There are elements in these tracks that are truly chilling, as the sound design works as effectively to bring the traps to life as the visuals.
The sound design of these films is quite intense, and the implementation of environmental sounds is executed quite deftly. The height channels complement the main sonic load by expanding the environment well. Sounds are effectively rendered with precise directionality from the more kinetic scenes to the quieter dialogue-driven scenes filled with subtle ambiance. The low-end response is engaged well at multiple points throughout the film. The mix here is very well done with favorable engagement of all the channels. Even when the tracks are simply DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio for Saw IV – The Final Chapter, the experience is very close to the Atmos experience minus height channels. Saw II and Saw III are where you find some disappointment as they continue to rock the dated DTS-ES 6.1 track. Once again, we could use some new audio experiences for the older discs. There are English and Spanish subtitles provided for the films.
Special Features
Saw
Blu-Ray
- Audio Commentaries
- Audio Commentary #1: Director James Wan, Writer / Actor Leigh Whannell, and Cary Elwes
- Audio Commentary #2: Producers Mark Burg, Gregg Offman and Oren Koules
- Game Changer – The Legacy of Saw: A really great 58-minute retrospective documentary from 2021 in which the cast and creative team reflect on the creation and enduring legacy of the original film.
- Saw – The Original Short Film: The ten-minute original short film is provided here with Leigh Whannell in the Amanda role as a survivor recounting the terror they endured.
- Hacking Away at Saw: A three-part making-of documentary totaling 36 minutes that breaks down all of the main aspects of creating the film.
- Bone – Pre-Production (10:32)
- Tendon – Production (18:41)
- Skin – Post-Production (6:59)
- Alternate Storyboard Sequence: A two-and-a-half-minute look at an aborted sequence with James Wan.
- Theatrical Trailer: The two-minute trailer is provided here.
DVD (Exclusives)
- Dissection
- Director’s Art Gallery: A four-minute look at original concept art is provided here.
- Further
- Full Disclosure Report – Piecing Together Jigsaw: A 15-minute fake news show is provided that takes a look at the Jigsaw killings.
- Jigsaw’s Workshop: Computer DVD-ROM supplement
- On-Set Preview of Saw II: A four-minute preview of Saw II is provided.
- Cut Media: A selection of trailers from other Lionsgate releases are provided.
Saw II
Blu-Ray
- Audio Commentaries
- Audio Commentary #1: Director Darren Lynn Bousman, production designer David Hackl, and editor Kevin Greutert
- Audio Commentary #2: Executive producer James Wan and writer/executive producer Leigh Whannell
- The Scott Tibbs Documentary: A 16-minute mockumentary that bridges the gap between the second and third film.
- Gregg Hoffman – In Memoriam: A seven-minute look back at one of the people instrumental in the creation of the Saw franchise as we know it.
- The Story Behind The Story: A four-minute featurette on the first two installments of the franchise and how the larger ideas were developed.
DVD (Exclusives)
- Behind The Scenes: A 50-minute piece that explores the production of the film.
- The Saw Phenomenon (2:12)
- Conceiving A Sequel (4:56)
- The Players (14:26)
- The Sets (13:44)
- Cinematography (5:19)
- Sound Design (5:01)
- Fun On Set (3:57)
- Zombie: A two-minute short film from Darren Lynn Bousman is provided here. This is provided with optional audio commentary from Bousman.
- Interactive Games
- Theatrical Trailer: The minute-and-a-half-long trailer for Saw II is provided.
Saw III
Blu-Ray
- Feature (1:53:44)
- Audio Commentaries
- Audio Commentary #1: Director Darren Lynn Bousman, writer/executive producer Leigh Whannell, executive producer Peter Block, and executive producer Jason Constantine
- Audio Commentary #2: Producers Oren Koules and Mark Burg
- Audio Commentary #3: Director Darren Lynn Bousman, editor Kevin Greutert, and Director of Photography David A. Armstrong
- The Traps of Saw III: A nearly ten-minute look at the creation of the traps in the film.
- The Props of Saw III: An eight-minute piece on the props designed to show off the carnage.
- The Writing of Saw III: A seven-minute discussion on how the script was developed to bring something fresh to the universe.
- Amanda – Evolution of a Killer: A five-minute look at Amanda’s journey up until this point.
- Darren’s Diary: A nearly ten-minute featurette which finds the director preparing shots for the film.
- Deleted Scenes: Nearly six minutes of unused material is provided here.
- Trailers: This disc provides the Theatrical Trailer (1:17) and the Theatrical Teaser (0:44)
DVD
- Director’s Cut: A director’s cut of the film (2:00:33) that runs seven minutes longer than the theatrical cut that is on the Blu-Ray.
- Audio Commentaries
- Audio Commentary #1: Actors Shawnee Smith and Tobin Bell
- Audio Commentary #2: Writer Leigh Whannell
- Audio Commentary #3: Director Darren Lynn Bousman and actor J. Larose
- Jigsaw’s Plan: An irritating interactive game
- Choose The Death: Jump to a death scene.
- Killer Inside – “Messed Up World Remix”: A nearly four-minute music video is provided.
- Looking Tortured: A 15-minute look at makeup application to make yourself look utterly wrecked.
- Filmmaker Favs: Text screens full of fun tidbits from actors and creative figures.
- Sneak Peek at Saw IV: A four-minute scene is provided from Saw IV.
Saw IV
- Audio Commentaries
- Audio Commentary #1: Producers Oren Koules and Mark Burg and executive producers Peter Block and Jason Constantine
- Audio Commentary #2: Director Darren Bousman and actor Lyriq Bent
- Darren’s Video Diary: A 33-minute featurette that follows the director through the production process tackling various challenges.
- The Traps of Saw IV: A 17-minute look at the creation of seven of the traps in the film.
- The Props of Saw IV: A nine-minute piece on the props designed to show off the carnage.
- Music Video – “I.V.” performed by X Japan: A five-minute music video is provided here.
- Deleted Scene: A 44-second unused scene is provided.
- Trailer: A 38-second trailer is provided here.
Saw V
- Audio Commentaries
- Audio Commentary #1: Director David Hackl and First Assistant Director Steve Webb
- Audio Commentary #2: Producers Mark Burg and Oren Koules and Executive Producers Peter Block and Jason Constantine
- The Pendulum Trap: A six-minute look at all aspects of creating this trap.
- The Cube Trap: A five-minute look at all aspects of creating this trap.
- The Coffin Trap: A six-minute look at all aspects of creating this trap.
- The Fatal Five: A 12-minute look at how all the traps are used in the film.
- Slicing The Cube – Editing the Cube Trap: A five-minute at how the stakes were raised with the deliberate editing of this trap.
- Theatrical Trailer: A 50-second trailer is provided here.
Saw VI
- Audio Commentaries
- Audio Commentary #1: Producer Mark Burg and Executive Producers Peter Block and Jason Constantine
- Audio Commentary #2: Director Kevin Greutert and Writers Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton
- The Traps of Saw VI: A nine-minute look at the creation of the traps in the film.
- Jigsaw Revealed: A six-minute featurette in which Tobin Bell discusses what goes into his performance as Jigsaw.
- A Killer Maze – Making Saw: Game Over: An 11-minute look at the Saw attraction at Universal Studios.
- Music Videos
- Mushroomhead – “Your Soul Is Mine” (4:52)
- Memphis May Fire – “Ghost In The Mirror” (3:54)
- Hatebreed – “In Ashes They Shall Reap” (3:18)
- Suicide Silence – “Genocide/Saw VI Remix” (3:01)
- Theatrical Trailer: A 51-second trailer is provided here.
Saw: The Final Chapter
- Audio Commentaries
- Audio Commentary #1: Producers Mark Burg, Oren Koules, and Peter Block
- Audio Commentary #2: Writers Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan
- Deleted & Extended Scenes: There are six scenes of unused footage totaling 14 minutes provided here.
- Music Videos
- Karnivool – “Goliath” (4:39)
- Kopek – “Cocaine Chest Pains” (3:40)
- I-Exist – “Pass Out” (4:52)
- Dir En Grey – “Hageshisa To, Kono Mune No Naka de Karamitsuita Shakunetsu No Yami” (3:35)
- Danko Jones – “Full of Regret” (4:00)
- 52 Ways To Die: A 14-minute look at the creation of the traps in the film.
- Theatrical Trailer: A 58-second trailer is provided here.
Jigsaw
- Audio Commentary: Producers Mark Burg, Oren Koules and Peter Block
- I Speak For The Dead – The Legacy of Jigsaw Documentary: A seven-part 82-minute making-of documentary that provides a nice overview of the franchise and rebooting the story. The piece delves into the characters, the fresh locations and look of the film, the make-up effects, the post-production process, the film’s release, and more.
- The Choice Is Yours – Exploring The Props: A seven-minute look at the creation of the props in the film.
Spiral: From The Book of Saw
- Audio Commentary #1: Director Darren Lynn Bousman, Co-Screenwriter Josh Stolberg, and Composer Charlie Clouser provide some entertaining scene-specific commentary along with some general insights about why they wanted to return to the franchise, what they wanted to say with this new chapter, building on music from the previous films while bringing new elements into play and much more. The trio has a nice rapport that makes this one an enjoyable listen.
- Audio Commentary #2: Producers Oren Koules and Mark Burg provide a relatively more reserved commentary track in which they discuss bringing this franchise back to life, working with performers in individual scenes, and more. There is a lot of time when these two are just watching the movie play out with not much to add. If you are going to just listen to one track, stick with the other one.
- The Consequences Of Your Actions – Creating Spiral: A five-part 59-minute making-of documentary that provides a nice overview of the franchise and resurrecting it for the current times. The piece begins with discussions about the legacy of the original seven films, abandoned scripts before Spiral, the initial idea from Chris Rock, and more before moving on to the new blood in the franchise, the directorial hand, the new traps, and various other pieces that had to come together to make the film a reality.
- Drawing Inspiration – Illustrated Trap Breakdowns: A 9-minute piece in which Darren Lynn Bousman takes you on a tour through some of the various traps in the film.
- Decoding The Marketing Spiral: A 6-minute look at the marketing of the franchise over the years that could be very gruesome but memorable.
- Trailers: The disc includes the Teaser Trailer (1:43) and Theatrical Trailer (2:26) for Spiral.
Saw X
- Audio Commentary: Director-Editor Kevin Greutert, Cinematographer Nick Matthews, and Production Designer Anthony Stabley provide some entertaining scene-specific commentary along with some general insights about why they wanted to return to this story, what they wanted to say with this new chapter, the aesthetic of the feature, and more. The trio has a nice rapport that makes this one an enjoyable listen.
- Reawakening: A six-part 96-minute making-of documentary that provides a nice overview of the franchise and returning to this era of the story. The piece delves into the new and returning faces, the fresh locations and look of the film, the make-up effects, the post-production process, the film’s release, and more.
- Drawing Inspiration – Illustrated Scene Breakdowns: A three-part, 34-minute piece in which Kevin Greutert provides a meticulous breakdown of key scenes in the film.
- Make-Up Department Trap Tests: An 18-minute look at the initial tests for how the traps were going to be executed in the film.
- Deleted Scenes: There are 13 unused scenes totaling 37 minutes provided in an unfinished form. There is some interesting material in here that was understandably cut for time.
- Theatrical Trailer: The two-and-a-half-minute trailer is provided here.
Final Thoughts
The Saw franchise is one you either love or hate, and there are numerous valid points on either side of the argument. The gruesome nature is enough to send a large chunk of the audience away, but those who look beyond the gore will find some true feats of creativity when it comes to the traps. Not to mention the care that goes into the grotesque makeup work that keeps things feeling deeply unsettling. As you might expect for a franchise that has ten installments, the storylines are a bit hit or miss, but the series offers way more good than bad – and it knows how to bounce back from failure with some of its best work to date. For this reviewer, these films are a lot of ridiculous fun. Lionsgate Home Entertainment has released a Blu-Ray set featuring a mixed bag of an A/V presentation and a top-notch array of supplemental features. Recommended
The Saw 10-Film Collection is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray + DVD Combo Pack.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Lionsgate Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.