Comedy is often an underappreciated form of cinema, yet it is perhaps one of the most popular. Overlooked, there is a delicate art to making light of a situation and crafting an effective joke. That said, a parody film is even more challenging to construct than any other type of Comedy. Often a hit-or-miss subgenre, parody has sustained itself through the decades, but the unquestionable king of this style is Mel Brooks.
Brooks, at this point, considered one of the most iconic filmmakers in the last fifty years, is known for several big parody films, like 1993’s Robin Hood: Men in Tights, 1987’s Spaceballs, 1981’s History of the World: Part I, 1976’s Silent Movie, and of course, 1974’s Young Frankenstein. Each holding a place in the hearts of countless film lovers, perhaps one of the most legendary of all is the parody that started it all, Blazing Saddles.
Released in theaters on February 7, 1975, Blazing Saddle was directed by Brooks, who co-wrote the screenplay with Andrew Bergman, Richard Pryor, Norman Steinberg, and Alan Uger. All based on a story treatment by Bergman, Blazing Saddle humor spoofs on Westerns and does a fine job of it. Playing on all the tropes of the genre, the plot follows a black railroad worker named Bart (Cleavon Little), who becomes an unlikely sheriff of a little town in the west called Rock Ridge. With a lot going against him, Bart is determined to hold up his duty to protect Rock Ridge, and with the help of Jim the Waco Kid, an alcoholic sharpshooter with his best days behind him, they do just that.
A simple enough plot for a parody film, there is a list of other memorable characters created within it all, including Harvey Korman as corrupt politician Hedley Lamarr, Burton Gilliam as railroad supervisor named Lyle with a ton of great lines, Alex Karras as a strong half-wit named Mongo, and Madeline Kahn as the lovely Lili Von Shtupp who unexpected falls for Sheriff Bart.
With just a few of the distinctive characters, Blazing Saddles would be the first parody film ever released by Brooks and proved to be one of the most legendary. Nominated for three Academy Awards, it is ranked number six on the American Film Institute’s 100 Years…100 Laughs list, and has been deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2006. All very interesting, the film is not without its controversy.
At the time of creation, there was a ton of discomfort with the language used in Blazing Saddles, and by today’s standards, the average viewer’s jaw may drop straight to the floor. Something that may be misconstrued, it is important to understand that Brooks and all involved knew the language specifically used in the film was to actually make an anti-racist statement. In fact, the objective was to point out how insulting and absurd prejudices truly are. An approach probably lost on modern society, it has been said before, and it is true that if you altered the dialogue in Blazing Saddle, the film would practically be an empty vessel.
These factors add to Blazing Saddle’s lasting legacy. In celebration of the film’s 50th anniversary, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is offering it in 4K Ultra HD for the first time ever. Released as a single disc 4K Ultra HD + Digital Code (for download) on November 19, 2024, this new release presents Blazing Saddles as you have never seen it before.
An upgrade from the prior DVD and the 2014 40th Anniversary Blu-ray Edition, the colors are deeper, and the image is more clarified than ever. As cliched as it gets explaining a 4K Ultra HD transfer of an older film, it is the honest truth, and fans will see it immediately upon popping the disc into their player.
Beyond this, the extra features include recycled bonuses from prior home media releases, such as additional scenes and commentary. Although, the coolest part is that you get a new tribute called Inappropriate Inspiration: The Blazing Saddles Effect. This is a 20-minute video in which more modern actors talk about the film and its effect on them.
Altogether, the 4K Ultra HD transfer of Blazing Saddles for the monumental 50th anniversary is what sells this new release. Matched with a nice slipcase and new art, it is worth purchasing for any Comedy fan’s collection. However, if you want more, you can also look into the Collector’s Edition Steelbook edition with tons of extra goodies. That is why Cryptic Rock gives this release 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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