Never give a saga an even break!|Feb. 07, 1974|USA|93 Min.|R
Genre: Comedy;Western
Description: Set in the American frontier of 1874, *Blazing Saddles* follows the story of a town caught in a web of greed and deception. A new railroad is being built, but its path must be diverted through Rock Ridge to avoid quicksand. This shift makes the town incredibly valuable, attracting the attention of Hedley Lamarr, a cunning attorney general who aims to force the residents out. To achieve this, he sends a gang led by his henchman Taggart to terrorize the town, killing the sheriff and causing chaos. The townspeople demand protection, and Lamarr manipulates the dim-witted Governor Le Petomane into appointing Bart, a black railroad worker, as the new sheriff. Lamarr believes the town’s racist attitudes will lead to turmoil, leaving Rock Ridge vulnerable.
Despite an unwelcoming reception, Bart uses his intelligence and gains the support of Jim, an alcoholic gunslinger known as the “Waco Kid.” Together, they win over the townspeople. Bart overcomes challenges, including subduing Mongo, a strong but dim-witted henchman, and outsmarting Lili Von Shtupp, a seductive entertainer who falls for him. When Bart learns of Lamarr’s plan to redirect the railroad through Rock Ridge, he devises a counterattack.
Lamarr, frustrated by Bart’s success, assembles an army of thugs, including criminals, bikers, Klansmen, Nazis, and Methodists. In response, Bart unites the townspeople with black, Chinese, and Irish railroad workers, promising mutual acceptance. They work together to build a decoy town as part of a clever plan to thwart Lamarr’s forces.
Cast director: Mel Brooks
Cast actor: Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens, David Huddleston, Liam Dunn, Alex Karras, John Hillerman, George Furth, Jack Starrett, Mel Brooks
Original name: Blazing Saddles