Blazing Saddles is a American satirical postmodernist [ 4 ] [ 5 ] Western black comedy film directed by Mel Brooks , who co-wrote the screenplay with Andrew Bergman , Richard Pryor , Norman Steinberg and Alan Uger , based on a story treatment by Bergman. Brooks appears in two supporting roles: Governor William J. Le Petomane, and a Yiddish -speaking Native American chief; he also dubs lines for one of Lili Von Shtupp's backing troupe and a cranky moviegoer.
Bandleader Count Basie has a cameo as himself, appearing with his orchestra. The film received generally positive reviews from critics and audiences, was nominated for three Academy Awards and is today regarded as a comedy classic.
It is ranked number six on the American Film Institute 's Years On the American frontier of , a new railroad under construction will have to be rerouted through the town of Rock Ridge to avoid quicksand. Realizing this will make Rock Ridge worth millions, territorial attorney general Hedley Lamarr plans to force Rock Ridge's residents out of the town and sends a gang of thugs, led by his flunky Taggart, to shoot the sheriff and trash the town.
The townspeople demand that Governor William J. Le Petomane appoint a new sheriff to protect them. Lamarr persuades dim-witted Le Petomane to appoint Bart, a black railroad worker about to be executed for assaulting Taggart. A black sheriff, Lamarr reasons, will offend the townspeople, create chaos and leave Rock Ridge at his mercy. After an initial hostile reception in which he takes himself "hostage" to escape, Bart relies on his quick wits and the assistance of Jim, an alcoholic gunslinger known as the " Waco Kid", to overcome the townspeople's hostility.
Bart subdues Mongo, an immensely strong and dim-witted, yet philosophical henchman sent to kill him, then outwits German seductress-for-hire Lili Von Shtupp at her own game, with Lili falling in love with him.
