Product: Pinocchio
Rating: 5.0
Walt Disney's Animated Masterpiece
Walt Disney in my belief never topped his stunning achievement in movie animation with "Pinocchio", the classic children's story based on the equally classic late 19th Century story by Carlo Collodi. Indeed this story is truly for children and adults alike with it's message of the universal value of honesty towards others and ones self, and the real worth to be obtained from personal integrity in all things. Released in 1940 after the stunning success of Disney's first excursion into animated feature films with "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", "Pinocchio", is the studio's supreme achievement that has enchanted and enthralled each new generation with it's simple message and delightful characters."Pinocchio", tells the story of a kind and loving woodcarver named Geppetto who produces beautiful clocks, toys and music boxes out of all kinds of wood. He is loved and admired for his great skill however his one wish in life is to have a son as he has no children. Looking at his completed wooden puppet of a young boy he names him Pinocchio and goes to sleep praying that he might have a son just like Pinocchio. During the night the Blue Fairy appears in Geppetto's house and grants his fervent wish bringing the little wooden puppet to life. Her words to Pinnochio are "prove yourself to be brave, truthful and unselfish and someday you will be a real boy". To help him in this task the Blue fairy provides him with a "conscience" in the form of Jiminy Cricket who is to look out for him. Upon waking Geppetto is delighted to discover that his wish has been granted and that Pinocchio has come to life. His joy however is short lived when after sending Pinocchio off to begin his schooling the naive puppet is abducted by a sinister Fox called Honest John who takes Pinocchio to the travelling carnival of Stromboli a cruel and nasty man who imprisons Pinnochio and forces him to perform in his show. Alerted by Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio is rescued by the Blue Fairy after he learns a hard lesson about telling the truth when his nose grows larger with each successive lie. Heading home they run afoul of Honest John again who in another of his schemes is working with his client Coachman in getting boys to be sent to Pleasure Island in the belief that they are going on vacation but with the real intent of turning them into donkeys to work as slaves for Coachman in his mines. Once on the island everything seems wonderful as the amusement park offers everything they want for free and the boys are given a constant supply of drink and alcohol. Only later is the sinister purpose of the island discovered by Jiminy Cricket by which time it is too late as the boys have begun to turn into donkeys and are being loaded on a boat being sent to the mines. Before Pinocchio's transformation is complete Jiminy and Pinocchio escape and return home again only to find the heart broken Geppetto has gone looking for Pinocchio and has been swallowed by a famous whale called Monstro. Going under water to try and find him the pair encounter the deadly Monstro who also engulfs them and by a miracle they find Geppetto along with Figaro the cat and Cleo the goldfish safe and sound. Starting a fire inside the whale they manage to be blown outside and after a terrifying pursuit by a very angry Monstro manage to safely get to the shore. Once safely home the transformation promised by the Blue Fairy if Pinocchio displayed the qualities of bravery honesty and kindness to others, takes place and the wooden Pinocchio becomes a real boy of flesh and blood and the son Geppetto always wanted."Pinocchio", is a timeless story graced with beautiful characters that all too often show their human side. I believe this very human element to the characters is what has endeared this film to generations of movie goers. Winner of the 1940 Academy Award for Best song with the unforgettable "When You Wish Upon A Star" which has become the Disney trade mark tune ever since, the production has so much to offer in every department. The quality of the animation is peerless here and the modern Disney efforts could not compare with it in overall quality and execution. The characters created from the original work by Carlo Collodi are just as memorable with Pinocchio the unforgettable little puppet who learns to become a real boy, being one of the best characters to come out of the Disney films. Voiced by child actor Dickie Jones, he gives Pinocchio just the right elements of boyish innocence and show biz panache to make him a delightful character. Jiminy Cricket also is without doubt one of the strengths in this story with his "conscience" job often leading to amusing and hair raising situations that even he often doesn't want to be a part of.Treasured as a great children's classic "Pinocchio", certainly has it's scary elements such as the boys turning into donkeys and the frightening battle with the whale at sea which might not be suitable for really young children. However apart from that adults can enjoy this story just as much as children with its age old moral lesson of doing good by others for your own good. I have loved "Pinocchio", since I was a child and along with "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", is the film that best represents the true brillance of Walt Disney's creativity. Promise yourself at least one viewing of this great classic as it will move you as no other animated feature can with its simple message and beautiful characters.