The Blazing Saddles Satire Blazing Saddles, a film by Mel Brooks, is a perfect example of satire. The main objective of the film is to make fun of the western genre. Mel Brooks is known for his satires of many different films and film genres, and Blazing Saddles follows his usual pattern faithfully. Many of the film's ideas and issues are common to most westerns, although Mel Brooks added a twist. Additionally, the film pokes fun at a more modern theme, racism. Many westerns contain some of the same elements. For example, almost every western ever made involves a sheriff. He is usually the peacekeeper of a small town overrun by outlaws and cowboys, whom he eventually chases out of town or kills. Another element of westerns is the gunslinger. A gunslinger is usually a young man who makes his living by shooting other men in confrontations, a classic example is Billy the Kid. Railroads are also a recurring image in westerns. Since the railroad was the primary means of transportation in the Old West, it is still present in Westerns. Ultimately, westerns always have a villain. The villain, usually a man, dresses very well and will stop at nothing in his quest for power. Additionally, the villain usually has a gang to carry out his dastardly deeds. The gang is usually made up of incompetent but loyal thugs, who would love to destroy a small town just for the thrill of wanton destruction. The elements of a western are very simple, but easy to manipulate to create a very interesting plot.....