SAW IV

25th October 2007

Terror is back today with the latest installment of one of Hollywood’s most successful horror franchises, Saw released in cinemas nationwide.

Jigsaw and his apprentice Amanda are dead. Now, upon the news of Detective Kerry's murder, two seasoned FBI profilers, Agent Strahm and Agent Perez, arrive in the terrified community to assist the veteran Detective Hoffman in sifting through Jigsaw's latest grizzly remains and piecing together the puzzle.

However, when SWAT Commander Rigg is abducted and thrust into a game, the last officer untouched by Jigsaw has but ninety minutes to overcome a series of demented traps and save an old friend or face the deadly consequences.

The “Saw” movies are among the bloodiest on silver screens. Jigsaw, the key character is a terminally ill cancer patient with a strong moral compass who abducts people of questionable values. He then keeps them confined in such a way that if they try to escape, they are injured or maimed.

The movies’ twisting plots and torture traps have made them major hits among horror fans. The three “Saw” films have raked in $415 million at global box offices since 2004’s original.

In the United States, the film sends an important message to fans with the “Give ‘til it hurts” campaign. The Lionsgate film studio has in the past launched a blood drive to promote the film and boost blood donations.

Tim Palen and Sarah Greenberg, co-presidents of marketing for Lionsgate films, said the initial drive was a publicity stunt, and while the campaign still serves to promote the film, it also has been transformed into a serious effort.

The first drive raised 4,200 pints and in three years a total of 38,000 pints have been collected. “(Fans) now think it’s part of a ritual,” Palen said.

*Sources: Hoyts Distribution; Saw IV official site; MSNBC