In the post-Civil War Wild West a corrupt land developer conspires with an inept governor to appoint a Black sheriff in order to scare and drive out townspeople so he can steal their land.
Gene Wilder and Cleavon Little in Blazing Saddles (1974)
1974’s Blazing Saddles, a satire on the western genre would turn its attention on prejudice and racism, and its rather prolific use of the word “n****r” is sure to be offensive to all those who cannot see the point of the film in its entirety, that is to point out the insanity and ignorance of people’s prejudices.
Directed by Mel Brooks from a screenplay co-written by Brooks with Norman Steinberg, Andrew Bergman, Richard Pryor, and Alan Uger from a story by Bergman, the film crosses every line that would likely get it, and everyone involved with it canceled by the “woke brigade” today. Set in the Wild West just after the civil war, a corrupt land developer played most deliciously by Harvey Korman, want to seize all the land in a town that is in the way of the railroad development. So, he appoints a Black sheriff (Cleavon Little), hoping to drive them all out, but the sheriff, who quickly becomes friends with a local outlaw (Gene Wilder), and becomes the most formidable opponent to the developer and the corrupt, inept governor in his pocket.
Describing the film does it an injustice. Blazing Saddles is a movie that lives in its one-liners, often shocking jokes, and the improvisations of the cast. The scenarios, the knowing jokes, the purposely overt sexism, and racism are not meant as either, but to turn a light on the ridiculousness of both (“Gee, in another 25 years you’ll be able to shake their hands in public!).
This is a film you have to watch to understand, put away your preconceptions to enjoy, and stop being so uptight about everything to find funny. And boy is it funny.
Slim Pickens and Burton Gilliam in Blazing Saddles (1974)
Mel Brooks in Blazing Saddles (1974)
Gene Wilder and Cleavon Little in Blazing Saddles (1974)
Harvey Korman in Blazing Saddles (1974)
Madeline Kahn in Blazing Saddles (1974)
Gene Wilder and Cleavon Little in Blazing Saddles (1974)
Blazing Saddles 4K Ultra HD + Digital (Warner Bros.)
Blazing Saddles 4K Ultra HD + Digital (Warner Bros.)
The Video
Blazing Saddles was shot on the Panavision PSR R-200 with Panavision C-Series anamorphic lenses on 35mm film. This new 4K restoration comes from Warner Bros. in a 2.39:1 HEVC 2160p (4K UHD) HDR10 encodement with a MaxLL of 988 nits and MaxFALL of 95 nits. The specular highlights never look particularly bright or three-dimensional, but overall the film looks vibrant and colorful, with a crisp layer of organic and consistent, finely layered grain. The contrast is excellent and detail reveals lots of textural information in clothing and on skin.
The Audio
Blazing Saddles comes with the original mono mix in lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 as well as a new lossless Dolby Atmos mix. Purists will no doubt prefer the mono mix, which is clean and has intelligible dialogue and songs, but the Atmos mix is revelatory especially when concerning the film’s score and musical performances. The sound is spread across the soundfield with some height awareness, excellent atmospherics, and natural dynamic range. The added low frequency is not floorboard rattling, but offers just enough bulk to the sound.
The Supplements
Do listen to the scene specific audio commentary by Mel Brooks and watch the various featurettes that add up to around 90-minutes of bonus content.
Bonus Features:
Movies Anywhere Digital Code
Scene Specific Audio Commentary by Mel Brooks
Inappropriate Inspiration: The Blazing Saddles Effect (1080p; 00:21:09)
Blaze of Glory: Mel Brooks’ Wild Wild West (1080p; 00:29:39)
Back in the Saddle (1080p; 00:28:23)
Additional Scenes (1080p; 00:09:41)
The Final Assessment
This controversial comedy has only grown in stature and influence over the years and now, for its 50th anniversary, it is beautifully restored in gorgeous 4K with an excellent Atmos remix as well. Enjoy this classic on 4K!
Blazing Saddles is out on 4K Ultra HD + Digital November 19, 2024 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
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In the post-Civil War Wild West a corrupt land developer conspires with an inept governor to appoint a Black sheriff in order to scare and drive out townspeople so he can steal their land.Blazing Saddles 4K Ultra HD Review
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