Pinocchio: The Long and Short of It
I remember watching Disney’s Pinocchio as a kid and thinking it was weird. A wooden doll wants to be a boy, but his nose grows when he lies and he has odd adventures with a fox, a whale and a bunch of donkeys. See what I mean? I’ve rewatched the movie a few times as an adult and my opinion has dramatically changed. Although it is still not my favorite Disney movie, the history of the movie and the life lessons it shares has moved it way up on my list.
From Disney’s Pinocchio
Walt Disney was often quoted as saying he didn’t make children’s movies. He viewed animation as an art form that could tell all kinds of stories to any type of audience. I think Pinocchio is a great example of his perspective. The movie really is a beautiful piece of art. It also communicates the important life lesson of making choices and living with the consequences. That message works for all of us.
Disney’s version of the movie was roughly based on The Adventures of Pinocchio, written by Italian author Carlo Colllodi in the 1880s. Collodi’s version of the story was originally released as a weekly series. It was later compiled into a book. This distinction is important, because I think it effects the overall flow of the film. Basically Pinocchio gets into trouble, then needs to find a way to get out of it again and again and again.
Disney released its film version of the story on February 7, 1940. It was Walt Disney’s second full-length animated feature. (Snow White was the first). The animation in the movie is rich and somewhat dark, with extensive use of shadows. The film wasn’t financially successful at first, partly due to World War II taking place at the time overseas and partly due to its heavier theme. It later went on to recoup its costs and become a Disney classic.
From The Illustrated Disney Song Book. Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation/Random House
As you may recall, the story begins with a wandering traveler named Jiminy Cricket finding his way into the warm, yet humble home of Gepetto. Gepetto is a kind carpenter that lives alone with his cat and goldfish. Jiminy Cricket first encounters Gepetto while he is creating a puppet, which he names Pinocchio. After completing the puppet, Gepetto prays that Pinocchio might someday become a real boy. When Gepetto falls asleep that evening, a magical blue fairy appears and grants Gepetto’s wish, at least partly. She gives life to the wooden puppet Pinocchio and tells him that he can become a real boy once he’s proven himself to be “brave, truthful and unselfish.” When Pinocchio asks the fairy how to accomplish this, Jiminy Cricket introduces himself and offers to serve as Pinocchio’s conscience.
From The Illustrated Disney Song Book. Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation/Random House
The next day, Gepetto is overjoyed to learn that his prayer had been answered. His puppet Pinocchio has become a real boy. As he sends Pinocchio off to school he gives him solid advice, such as “be a good boy” and “choose your friends carefully.” Unfortunately, Pinocchio doesn’t even make it to school before he starts ignoring the advice of his father. The bulk of the story, as referenced above, follows Pinocchio on a string of bad choices (pun intended…) that leads to growing a long nose, sprouting donkey ears and falling into the mouth of a whale. Yikes. Feeling better about the consequences of some of your bad decisions yet?
Ultimately Pinocchio demonstrates bravery and unselfishness by risking his life to save his father. The act completes the requirement from the fairy and Pinocchio is magically turned into a real boy. Obviously I’m skipping over a lot of the details here. I’m guessing you’ve seen the movie in some form or other before. If not, why ruin it for you now?
From The Illustrated Disney Song Book. Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation/Random House
My favorite aspects of Disney’s Pinocchio are the music and the moral lessons. The music, obviously, because we get to hear Pinocchio triumphantly declare “I’ve Got No Strings” and sweet Jiminy Cricket croon “When You Wish Upon Star.” Jiminy Cricket’s song won the Oscar that year and went on to become one of the most iconic melodies in the Disney collection.
I also appreciate the moral lessons of the film, because they are communicated so openly. I’ll confess I was little surprised to see characters praying and clearly articulating the link between choices and consequences. That seems rare in modern films. Yet, the lessons are important ones. Tell the truth. Be brave. Act unselfishly. Choose your friends wisely. Let your conscience be your guide.
I think sometimes we’re like Pinocchio, regretting a poor decision we’ve made. Other times (hopefully) we’re Gepetto, extending love to someone who doesn’t deserve it. Perhaps at times we’re even Jiminy Cricket, serving as someone else’s conscience and trying to guide them on the right path. The themes behind the characters are inherently relatable despite the “weird” packaging. Which character are you going to be like today?
Add a little magic to your world.
