What was so great about "Blazing Saddles"?

Question

OK, so I saw "Blazing Saddles" today and I was thoroughly unimpressed. Can anyone tell me why this is one of the top comedy films ever?

Answer 1

The reason most of the humor is lost now is 3 fold.

First, it would no longer be considered cutting edge.

Second, you probably weren't brought up in the era of the traditional westerns (before Dirty Harry hopped on a horse) with lead actors like John Wayne.

If you had been brought up seeing those types of westerns and had seen it at the time it came out, you would have a great appreciation for it...

In fact, the parodies were so good it was credited with creating the near complete demise. It was a long time before another western came out, and even then there were very few (where previously westerns were the action movie of their day).

After blazing saddles, it was impossible to view westerns without recalling scenes in Blazing Saddles (completely ruining the mood).

I can't think of any other parody which was so good and so complete it virtually eliminated a whole genre of film.

Finally, It helped if you were sick of being forced to keep the TV turned to westerns every time your father sat in front of the TV... it gave even more reason to enjoy the parody.

Answer 2

Blazing Saddles is one of first Majore works of comedy by Mel Brooks. Many comedies are derivative of Brooks' style of comedy. So they give Blazing Saddles a top ten ranking because it came first. Plus, the campfire scene is a classic. if you think about it the movie makes fun of the movie industry in a way that is as funny today as ever, especially since all I seem to be seeing are people complaining about how movies have become repetitive, formulaic and that is exactly what Blazing Saddles and brooks is picking fun at. Nazis, Cowboys, Bikers and alike all fighting in the commessary as though the rules of filming no longer matter. It's funny.

Answer 3

The genius of Mel Brooks it what makes his films. His films deserve their very own genre - there's nothing else like them out there & there's no one else like him. Blazing Saddles had it all - slapstick humor, sly humor, innuendo, etc. You may not have been old enough or sophisticated enough to appreciate all of the aspects of this comedy - try Robin Hood Men In Tights or Spaceballs the next time you want to see a Mel Brooks comedy. For Heavens' sake, don't watch History of the World Part One - you'll be lost with that one if you didn't "get" Blazing Saddles!!!

Answer 4

At the time it was released, it was so cynical and over the top. It was one of the first movies to poke fun at the movie making industry--now you see it all the time--Scary Movie for example. Blazing Saddles led the way. If you were fortunate enough to see it at the time it came out (70s i think) then you'de better understand why it is one of hte best comedy films ever. I personally like it.

Answer 5

First of all, in and of itself it was funny.

Second, it was politically incorrect in a time when most movies tried for political correctness (however, in a society where political incorrectness was not labeled a crime).

Third, it revolutionized the movie comedy. Comedies were around before but this movie was the first one to engage in the spoof comedy and it did it so effortlessly.

Fourth, it picked on everything. Race, Nazis and yes, even Hollywood.

Fifth, it was one of the first movies to break down the fourth wall of the camera by addressing the audience, by having the characters wind up in the studio and on the streets of Hollywood.

Sixth, by tying all of this goofery into a great western where, in the end, the lead characters ride off into the sunset--in a limousine!!!!!!!

Answer 6

Don't know, never saw it but Without A Paddle awesome movie because it was partly filmed in my own lovely country NEW ZEALAND, just down the road from where I live, the Central Plateau Raetihi, Ohakune, Rangatikei River. Check out link below

Answer 7

When it came out, the Bean Scene was classic. The tweaking of Western Sensibilities and the over-the-top humor of Mel Brooks mad ethis a wet-your-pants laugh riot.

Answer 8

You have to like that broad comedy genre that encompasses most of Mel Brooks movies. These are not for folks who have a dry, acerbic wit. You have to be willing to poke fun at yourself as well as everyone else in the world. It's not for people who snicker quietly into their hand...it's for people with loud, guffawing belly laughs. Come on...."So Shewiff...is it twue what they say about you people being....gifted?" That's hilarious!!!

Answer 9

to understand, you would had to have been there when the movie was first released
the attitudes about comedy have changed in the 30 years since it was filmed

Answer 10

This movie pushed the limit of acceptability in a movie. It probably just wasn't your type of humor -- I personally don't find "Friends" even the least bit entertaining/funny, but it was rated one of the top sitcoms of all time. To each his or her own.