@celeste_writes
A patient, formally daring work — the cinematography lingers on empty rooms longer than most audiences will tolerate, but those who stay are rewarded with the most haunting final act of the year.
A town—where everyone seems to be named Johnson—stands in the way of the railroad. In order to grab their land, robber baron Hedley Lamarr sends his henchmen to make life in the town unbearable. After the sheriff is killed, the town demands a new sheriff from the Governor, so Hedley convinces him to send the town the first black sheriff in the west.
Quick Stats
7.2
TMDB Rating
2,113
Votes
1h 33m
Runtime
$2.6M
Budget
$119.5M
Box Office
4596%
Return
Key Crew
DirectorMel Brooks
WriterAndrew Bergman
CinematographyJoseph F. Biroc
ComposerJohn Morris
EditorDanford B. Greene
Production DesignPeter Wooley
Produced by
Crossbow ProductionsWarner Bros. Pictures
Where to Watch
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Critics & Reviews
3 featured@jhalberg
I walked in expecting another genre exercise and walked out feeling like I'd been eavesdropping on a confession. The lead performance is genuinely singular — a career-defining turn.
@priya_a
A few too many scenes feel borrowed from a better film, but the soundtrack and the production design carry the rest. Solid recommendation for fans of slow-burn European thrillers.
Cast
Cleavon Little
Bart
Gene Wilder
Jim
Slim Pickens
Taggart
Harvey Korman
Hedley Lamarr
Madeline Kahn
Lili Von Shtupp
Mel Brooks
Governor William J. Le Petomane / Indian Chief
Burton Gilliam
Lyle
Alex Karras
Mongo
David Huddleston
Olson Johnson
Liam Dunn
Rev. Johnson
John Hillerman
Howard Johnson
George Furth
Van Johnson
Jack Starrett
Gabby Johnson
Carol Arthur
Harriett Johnson
Richard Collier
Dr. Sam Johnson
