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Pinocchio (1940)

★★★ — Pinocchio (1940)

Pinocchio was Disney's second animated feature, arriving in 1940 off the back of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), which had proved that feature-length animation could be both a commercial and artistic proposition. The production was, by any measure, an enormous undertaking, carrying a budget of $2.6 million at a time when that figure represented a genuinely audacious studio commitment. Adapted from Carlo Collodi's 1883 Italian serialised novel, the film was overseen by no fewer than seven sequence directors, a production structure Disney used routinely at the time to manage the sheer scale of the work. The result arrived just as the Second World War was beginning to close off European markets, which contributed to an initially modest theatrical run, though it has since recovered handsomely across decades of re-releases.

Disney’s Pinocchio is often praised as a classic, and it’s easy to see why. The animation is detailed and ambitious for its time, with rich, hand-drawn scenes that bring the fairy tale world to life. From the warm glow of Geppetto’s workshop to the eerie darkness of Pleasure Island. The story follows the wooden boy who wants to become real, learning lessons about honesty, bravery, and listening to your conscience, mostly through a series of increasingly dangerous mistakes. The film has charm, and moments like Jiminy Cricket singing “When You Wish Upon a Star” still carry real magic. That song, in particular, became Disney’s signature promise, that dreams can come true. But the rest of the film doesn’t always match that warmth. It’s quite dark in places, with scenes that feel more frightening than meaningful. The tone swings between sweet and scary without always finding a good balance. It’s also slow in parts, and Pinocchio himself can be frustrating. He keeps making the same poor choices, even after being warned. That’s the point, maybe, but it doesn’t always make for satisfying storytelling. As a piece of animation history, it’s important and well-made. But as a film to actually enjoy from start to finish, it falls short of the best Disney has to offer. It’s good, but not quite timeless.

Rating: ★★★ | Year: 1940 | Watched: 2025-07-26

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Where to watch (UK)

Stream: Disney Plus · Artiflix
Rent: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Google Play Movies
Buy: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Google Play Movies
Physical: Amazon UK

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