Blazing Saddles (1974) Reviews

While I slightly prefer The Producers and Young Frankenstein this is still a jewel in the crown when it comes to comedy. It is silly and it is not subtle at all, there are those who will flinch at some of the language used. But it is very funny, and works really well as a spoof. The story is a lot of fun, and there are enough slapstick and jokes to amuse as well as a wonderful script. The production values are very good too, while the acting is spot on. Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder are both great as the smart-as-a-whip railway worker appointed first black sheriff and the drunken gunman who helps him out, while Madeline Kahn(in a Marlene Dietrich send-up), Alex Karras and Harvey Korman are even better. Overall, not subtle but still great. 9/10 Bethany Cox

When parody was a prolongation of a genre, as joyful as irreverent, with the hangover of the crepuscular westerns of the sixties. Kahn is superb in her Dietrich "Im tired" rendition. Korman is also great.

I've always admired Mel Brooks' movies. The spoofs / parodies / references are very spot-on and, in some cases, very subtle and one requires sharp eyes or ears to spot that reference. They're also not sick or tasteless and one feels safe while watching his movies. Blazing Saddles is considered by many to be his greatest work and I couldn't agree more. Filled with amazingly funny scenes that require more than 5 rewinds and a well-chosen cast, Blazing Saddles could very well be a great love you or thank you letter to all the movies it has spoofed.

Leading the way is Cleavon Little as Sheriff Bart, a "black in an all white small town". A rather great performance by him. Following him are 3 of Mel Brooks' main fixtures: Gene Wilder as The Waco Kid, who befriends Bart, Madeline Kahn as Lili Von Shtupp in one of her greatest performances and last, but not the least, Harvey Korman as Hedley "Hedy" Lamarr in one of his best screen credits. His performance single out was the best. Excellent comedic timing and expressions. The other supporting cast were great too.

Blazing Saddles also has the trademark "we know we're in a movie" technique and the ending, to some, may seem long and dull but 85% of the best funny scenes happen in that section. All in all, enjoy if you're a Mel Brooks fan!

He wore a shining star... and ever since the first time my brother and I saw this, we were hooked. It's got a little something to offend pretty much everyone, so it's an equal-opportunity offender.

Quotable, funny, and classic Mel Brooks. "How 'bout some more beans, Mr. Taggart?"