Hi,
Thanks for my first ever diamond and of course the continued rrc's. It's beginning to look a lo...
Hi,
Thanks for my first ever diamond and of course the continued rrc's. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! xx
Member since:08.02.2008
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Blazing Saddles was first released in 1974 and directed by Mel Brooks. I saw this film a good few years ago and loved it the moment I saw it. It isn't a typical cowboy movie like you first expect when it begins and truly is a pleasure to watch. For this reason, this DVD was another one that I asked for at Christmas time and another that I am thankful to have received.
Blazing Saddles tells the seemingly simple story of how a railroad is bound to run right through the town of Rock Ridge and that once it does land there will be worth an absolute fortune. There is only one problem, the townsfolk already own their land and so they only thing you can do is drive them out. But how on earth do you do that? Well it's common sense really… you send in a rough and tough gang all gun's blazing but first you appoint the town with a new sheriff - one that you figure will last 24 hours at the most and that's when Rock Ridge becomes the first town to receive a black sheriff.
Despite the somewhat simple nature of the plot, as with all Mel Brook's films nothing it quite what it seems and this plot ultimately becomes just the pretext for a series of lunatic events that through logic right out of the window and send the horses galloping past.
In many ways this film mixes a lot of genres together, as ideas of western films, comedies and musicals are all blended to make one blizzard of hilarious gags. The western setting of the film allows all the connotations of life in the Wild West to be explored and exploited and the comedy and the musical elements are then brought in to complete this exploitation in the funniest and most enjoyable way as possible. Don't fear though the musical element does not take over the film but simply adds a different feel and theme to certain parts of it, so as to maximise audience enjoyment. The title song 'Blazing Saddles' is actually quite memorable and has both a Wild West and musical feel to it.
The acting throughout is competent and adequate, which to be perfectly honest is all that should be asked from acting in such a film. The performances aren't the best you will ever see anyway but neither are they the worst, they simply do the job that they were tasked to do. Cleavon Little as the new lawman probably puts in the most notable performance and there is clearly a spark between him and Gene Wilder who plays his prisoner turned sidekick the Waco Kid. This spark is nice to see in such a film and certainly makes it well worth watching.
The film is itself 89 minutes long and can be viewed in three languages, English, French and Italian, with subtitles in those three plus 4 more. The DVD also contains production notes and an exclusive 55-minute interview with Mel Brooks.
Blazing Saddles can be picked up from most DVD stores and online for a reasonable price - around the £4 to £5 mark and is well worth every penny.
Pictures of Blazing Saddles (DVD)
Meet the new sheriff in town
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Mel Brooks scored his first commercial hit with this raucous Western spoof starring the ... more
late Cleavon Little as the newly hired (and conspicuously black) sheriff of Rock Ridge. Sheriff Bart teams up with deputy Jim (Gene Wilder) to foil the railroad-bui...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
The railroad's bound to run right through the sleepy town of Rock Ridge. Land there will ... more
be worth a fortune - but the townsfolk already own their own land. How do you drive them out? Send in the roughest, toughest, meanest, leanest gang you've got...an...
![Blazing Saddles [1974] [DVD]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78550110.jpg "Blazing Saddles [1974] [DVD]")
Jan 26th, 2009
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