Blazing Saddles (1974)

One of the greatest comedies of all time and one of Mel Brooks’ greatest films, Blazing Saddles uncompromisingly lampoons the living daylights out of the Western genre.

In order to complete a railroad, a corrupt politician decides to scare a whole town into moving. When gangs and thugs don’t work, they try sending a black sheriff to town and get people to leave based on their unabashed racism. That doesn’t quite work either, as the sheriff is a hit and he gets a zany gunslinger of a partner (Gene Wilder) in defending the town.

Blazing Saddles pretty much covers the entire gamut of all things crude, rude and lewd. Cheap shots are made at all kinds of prejudiced beliefs and the absurdities of Westerns in general. Mel Brooks creates one gut-buster of a comedy that is a must-see, no matter how prudish you may be. Unless you’re a super stick in the mud, you’ll find plenty to laugh at here.

RATING: 4.5 out of 5