HD-DVD Review: Blazing Saddles - Page 2

From 1974, some of the jokes may be lost on some viewers. Amazingly, even if you miss the point of the running Heddy Lamar name gag, it’s still infinitely funny thanks to the delivery. It’s written to stand the test of time, and that’s what keeps Blazing Saddles alive and relevant to this day. That’s Heddly!

Looking back, it’s erroneous to say the 30th anniversary edition of the standard DVD release was the best this film could ever look. Thanks to the wonders of technology, this update brings with it an astounding amount of detail. Small touches lost previously due to low-resolution home video formats are brought forward to the audience.

Wanted posters hung by Sheriff Bart in his office can be read (not well, but the text does come together). Also look at his shirt, which is clearly striped instead muddled out due to compression and low detail. While hardly important to the film, these small details will have fans clamoring to view this disc multiple times.

This was a film made in 1974, so imperfections are expected. Dirt and grain are consistent throughout. Color is superb, while a few scenes suddenly drop off and barely look better than they did previously (the scene where the KKK members are tricked is the most apparent). This doesn’t look like a film from the era though thanks to this marvelous transfer that makes this disc the only way you should watch this movie.

Audio remains the same with no apparent differences from the standard DVD. The remastered 5.1 audio doesn’t offer much in the way of bass or surround work. Dialogue remains clear while the infamous campfire scene remains completely in the center channel.

Mel Brooks gives us a commentary track, but this is the same one that was included on both of the prior DVD releases. He'll spout off some facts that even die-hard followers may not know, but it only lasts for about an hour. Next are some deleted and alternate scenes. These showcase some of the edited-in-for-TV sequences, which are used to pad the running time due to the amount of censored cuts when networks air the film. In total, the scenes run for about ten minutes.

Continued on the next page Page 1 — Page 2 — Page 3

Article tags

Spread the word
Bookmark and Share
Profile image for matt-paprocki

Article Author: Matt Paprocki

Matt Paprocki is a 12-year movie and game critic. He currently freelances for Blu-ray review site DoBlu.com and video game site MultiPlayerGames.com.

Visit Matt Paprocki's author pageMatt Paprocki's Blog

Read comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own

Article comments

Add your comment, speak your mind

Personal attacks are NOT allowed.
Please read our comment policy.
Please preview your comment.

blogcritics lists for Nov 30, 2009

fresh articles Most recent articles site-wide

fresh comments Most recent comments site-wide

most comments Most comments in 24hrs

top writers Most prolific Blogcritics for October

top commenters Most prolific Commenters in 24 hrs