Common Sense Media Review
Zany Western spoof takes on racism with "N" word, innuendo.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Blazing Saddles
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 13 parent reviews
Based on 21 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a hilarious satire that critiques racism, filled with offensive language and sexual jokes, which parents should consider when deciding whether to let younger kids watch it. Many reviewers appreciate its clever humor and social commentary, though some feel its humor is dated and might not appeal to all today, highlighting the necessity of discussing the context of its controversial themes with viewers.
- hilarious satire
- social commentary
- offensive language
- parental guidance needed
- adult humor
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Mel Brooks' BLAZING SADDLES lampoons the Western genre, mocking its conventions as well as its racist undertones. Greedy magnate Hedley Lamarr (Harvey Korman) plans to steal a plot of land away from the kindly townsfolk of Rock Ridge. He appoints a Black sheriff named Bart (Cleavon Little), relying on the intolerance of the White community to spark a mass exodus from town. Things don't go quite as planned as Bart teams up with a washed-up gunslinger (Gene Wilder), wins the citizens' respect, and enlists his old Black and Chinese co-workers from the railroad to help foil Lamarr's scheme.
Is It Any Good?
Energetic and eager to please, this comedy's defining characteristic is its intentionally offensive takedown of racism. Blazing Saddles hasn't aged perfectly; the gags that amused in the 1970s by virtue of their sheer outrageousness might just seem like bad taste now. The biggest example is in how often the "N" word is used by White characters—this was controversial when the movie came out, but now each instance drops like a thud. But with Richard Pryor as a credited writer during the prime of his career, the movie has an incisive point of view on race that's supported by enough funny moments to outweigh the ones that fall flat. The action, meanwhile, has the unmistakably silly tone of Brooks' comedies, including frenetic pacing and an ending that goes off the rails (and off the Warner Bros. lot). Song numbers are also a highlight, from the innuendo-packed "I'm Tired" by Madeline Kahn (who was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance of German burlesque performer Lili Von Schtupp) to the earnest, also Oscar-nominated title song "Blazing Saddles."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what makes Blazing Saddles a satire. What or who in particular does the movie intend to mock?
How does the film's humor address racial stereotypes that are present in society as well as in movies about the Old West?
Does the satire in Blazing Saddles still work today? Or is the movie just plain offensive? What elements feel offensive? What point were those elements trying to make, and do they still work to make those points today?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 7, 1974
- On DVD or streaming : June 29, 2004
- Cast : Cleavon Little , Gene Wilder , Madeline Kahn
- Director : Mel Brooks
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , African American Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Writer(s) , African American Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Activism ( Civic engagement , Racial justice ) , Friendship , History , Holidays ( Juneteenth )
- Run time : 93 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate