Blazing Saddles (1974) Blu-ray Review

Mel Brooks has brought more absurd and off the wall comedies to the cinema than any other director. I am talking classics like The Producers, Spaceballs, Youn Frankenstein, Robin Hood: Men in Tights. But the one film that is on most people's list of their favorite Brooks film would be Blazing Saddles.

A couple years ago Warner Brother under the division Warner Archive Collection released a western comedy on Blu-ray featuring Gene Wilder and Harrison Ford that film was 1979's Frisco Kid. Now for the 50th year anniversary of its release the quintessential western comedy Blazing Saddles receives a Blu-ray release. 

The railroad's got to run through the town of Rock Ridge. How do you drive out the townsfolks in order to steal their land? A corrupt politician sends in a tough gang of thieves and appoints a black Sheriff. But his plan doesn't exactly go the way he thought it would.

The screenplay was written by Mel Brooks, Norman Steinberg, Andrew Bergman, Richard Pryor and Alan Urger. These men constructed a film that is irreverent, but not just to one kind of people. They take shots at everyone. The idea was shine a light on prejudices. Blazing Saddles is just one joke after another! A non-stop laugh fest! But for sensitive audiences members this may not be a film for you.

The film features great acting talents of Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens, Harvey Korman, Madeline Kahn, Mel Brooks and Alex Karras. The performances of these amazing people and the entire cast make this film a classic!

Warner Brothers have transferred this Mel Brooks classic to Blu-ray in 1080p in widescreen format in 2.40:1 aspect ratio. There are three audio options included on this disc. There is the English Dolby Digital 5.1, French mono audio and Spanish mono audio. There is three subtitles options English, French and Spanish. 

Warner Brothers has done a tremendous job transferring this film to Blu-ray. The film looks gorgeous in high definition. The colors are bright and vibrant, and the flesh tones are perfect. The picture is crisp and clean with no signs of damage or digital artifacts. The audio is clear with no hiss or pops. This is a nice-looking upgrade to the DVD release.

Now Warner Archive Collection for this 50th Anniversary of Blazing Saddles ported over all the cool bonus features found on the previous DVD release. Take a look at what is included on this disc.

* Audio Commentary by Mel Brooks
* Back In The Saddle: A 28 minute featurette looking back at the making of and impact of Mel Brooks' masterpiece Blazing Saddles.
* Intimate Portrait: Madeline Khan: A 4 minute segment from the documentary courtesy of Lifetime Television
* Near 10 Minutes of Additional Scenes not used in the film
* Black Bart TV Pilot 
* Theatrical Trailer

I really enjoyed Mel Brooks' commentary and the Back in the Saddle featurette. I wish the Intimate Portrait: Madaline Khan would have been the entire program instead of just a 4 minute segment. And the additional scenes are a nice bonus.

But I think the best bonus feature on this disc for me has to be the addition of the Black Bart TV Pilot that starred Louis Gossett Jr. Now by no means is Black Bart anywhere near what Blazing Saddles was. But it is a fun little 25 minute pilot and defiantly worth checking out.

So if you are as much a fan of Mel Brooks as I am. This 50th Anniversary Blu-ray of Blazing Saddles is worth adding to your collection. Head over to MovieZyng and order your copy. You won't be disappointed!

Out of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the Best) The 50th Anniversary Blu-ray of Blazing Saddles receives....