|Purpose:||To conceal identities|
The pig mask is a thematic prop worn by characters throughout the Saw film series. In the series, the fictional serial killer Jigsaw and his apprentices use it to conceal their identities while abducting their "test subjects". As the series continues, the purpose of the pig mask is explored in detail; explained to be a tribute to the "Year of the Pig", the year in which Jigsaw started his work.
In the films Edit
The origin of the pig mask was shown in Saw IV, revealing the first known pig masks to have been latex strap-on masks used at a Year of the Pig Chinese New Year festival. John Kramer, the Jigsaw Killer, had snatched them and donned one, while using the other one to hold his chloroform-soaked rag. The second mask was then used to knock out John's first test subject, Cecil, by placing the mask over his head with the chloroform rag still inside.
The pig mask was first seen in Saw, in which someone, cloaked in a red robe and wearing the mask, crept out of the back of a car and attacked Dr. Lawrence Gordon in a parkade. It was then seen when Adam Stanheight was attacked and rendered unconscious in his own apartment by someone wearing the mask with a red suit. When investigating one of Jigsaw's lairs, detectives David Tapp and Steven Sing uncovered the pig mask from beneath a red sheet, together with the Billy puppet commonly used by Jigsaw.
The pig mask was seen again in Saw II, worn by Amanda Young, Jigsaw's first apprentice, who sat, wearing a black cloak and the mask, in a bathtub waiting for Detective Eric Matthews, who was then attacked and injected with a syringe that knocked him out.
In Saw III, the pig mask was used by one of Jigsaw's apprentices (probably Amanda) when kidnapping Detective Allison Kerry, as well as Dr. Lynn Denlon, Jeff Reinhart, and Jeff's daughter Corbett. Several other pig masks were seen sitting next to the first in Jigsaw's lair. It was also revealed that it was Amanda Young who had kidnapped Adam Stanheight in the first movie.
In Saw IV, the pig mask was seen behind Forensic Hoffman, appearing as if someone was about to kidnap him from behind. In his home, Lieutenant Rigg came across his first test, in which a woman named Brenda was strapped to a device and cloaked in a red cape with the pig mask over her face. The mask and cloak were attached to a wire with a trigger-pin, and when they were pulled off, the trigger-pin was pulled, activating the device Brenda was chained to. For his second test, Rigg was ordered to wear the mask to conceal his identity while pulling Ivan Landsness into a motel room to be tested. It was revealed at the end of the movie that Detective Hoffman was in fact another one of Jigsaw's accomplices, and had donned the mask to kidnap some of the victims. A flashback also showed Jigsaw kidnapping Cecil using two Chinese New Year festival pig masks, using one to conceal his own identity while using the second, hiding a chloroform rag, to put over Cecil's face.
In Saw 3D, aside from Hoffman knocking Bobby out to put him in a series of traps, Hoffman was attacked by three people in pig masks. Dr. Gordon was their leader, and the writers' commentary revealed the other two to be Ryan and Brad.
In the Video GamesEdit
The Pig Mask appears in both video games, for a single antagonist. In the first game a character in the Pig Mask is seen at various points throughout. He is seen killing multiple subjects outright. He is fought at the end of the game as the final boss. He dies after being tricked into a cage and Tapp electrifies the floor.
In Saw II: Flesh & Blood a second character in the Pig Mask. He is seen at the side of John Kramer and on his own. He appears to also kill several victims outright, Including the Chief of Police, Henry Jacobs however Jigsaw does not seem to mind this. It is stated by Sarah Blalok that he was a friend of Detective Tapp, implying that this Pighead may have in fact been, Hoffman. If the Player chooses the Path of Flesh ending, Michael Tapp is given the oppourtunity to become a Jigsaw Apprentice , when he is presented with a a choice between his freedom, and a Pighead Mask and Robe. His choice is not seen.
Concept, creation and impact Edit
When working on the original Saw film, writer Leigh Whannel and director James Wan wanted their antagonist Jigsaw to have some sort of mask. After some discussion, the idea of Jigsaw wearing a rotting pig's head was chosen to symbolize his pessimistic view of the world and the disease that he was "rotting" from.
Nevertheless, the mask given to them from production (a rubber halloween mask) was considered by them to be less than satisfactory. A number of things were added to make it look more gruesome, including long black hair and pus running from its eyes and nostrils. Leigh Whannell has still admitted to being disappointed with its final appearance compared to his intended one, but has admitted that the mask has since become one of the "staples" of the Saw franchise.
Along with Billy and perhaps Jigsaw himself, the mask has since become one of the more iconic symbols of the franchise. It has appeared on both the posters for the first film and the fourth. The mask has also been featured on many forms of merchandise. Officially licensed pig-mask replicas have been sold for Halloween. In addition, the mask has been featured on numerous Jigsaw action figures. NECA has released two Jigsaw figurines with the pig mask; the original was Jigsaw wearing the mask in his black cloak, and a Saw III variant of Jigsaw wearing it in his red cloak. In addition, the Be@rBrick line has released a "bear" version of Jigsaw wearing the pig mask. Sideshow Collectibles has also released a figurine of Jigsaw wearing his infamous pig mask in the "Real Action Hero" line. Template:-
- ↑ Brenda's pig mask with trigger-tab
- ↑ Isaac Guzman, "Behind the Blood Spurt - Getting to Know the Sickos Responsible for 'Saw IV,'" New York Post, January 20, 2008.
- ↑ Saw poster with pig mask
- ↑ Saw IV poster
- ↑ Bloody-Disgusting.com
- ↑ Captain Toy review
- ↑ BerBrick series
- ↑ Real Action Hero line