Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio: 10 Changes to the Disney Movie

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio keeps the sweetness of the Disney original, but makes important changes to the story.

Guillermo Del Toro's "Pinocchio" is finally on Netflix, and the movie has been buzzing since it was announced. Theories about a darker approach to the story turned out to be true, and many changes were made to the traditional Wood Boy story in favor of the new spooky and magical look.

Although most of the characters have similar backstories, and the Pinocchio lore remains largely faithful, there are many similarities, especially when considering Disney's 1940 classic version of Pinocchio, with important differences Completely changes the course of the narrative.

Gideon, The Cat

Of the many character changes between the two films and Gideon, Cat is probably the one that best sums up the tone del Toro was after. Unlike the ghastly appearances of Count Volpe and Spazzatura, in Disney's original Pinocchio, the circus duo is made up of two charming animal figures: Honest John and Gideon the Cat.

In del Toro's version, Count Volpe is his own boss, and Spazzatura has an incredible character arc, becoming one of Pinocchio's most loyal friends and a key figure in the boy's reunion with Geppetto . In Disney's version, Gideon, like Honest John, is hired by the mysterious "coachman" and can't find any chance of redemption.

Gepetto's Reaction

In the original Pinocchio, there is no conclusive evidence of Geppetto's tragic past. When Jimmy Cricket stumbles upon the old man's house, he is puzzled by the vibrant side of the place, full of exciting inventions and fascinating toys that reflect Geppetto's desire to be a successful puppeteer and Have a son to share his joy.

In Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, Cricket finds Geppetto looking dismayed. Unable to cope with his son's death, the man fell into alcoholism, which caused him to show hostility towards Pinocchio at the first appearance of the boy, and with Pinocchio's absence, his heart became kinder and gradually I have found my redemption.

Pinocchio Doesn't Die

Del Toro's version of Pinocchio is closer to the creature than the boy, and does justice to the mysticism of the Wood Boy legend. In Disney's version, Pinocchio, hanging between life and death after a monster attack, is rescued at the last moment by the blue fairy, who turns him into a real boy.

Things are much more complicated in del Toro's film. The result of Pinocchio is A mystical spell that grants him immortality; whenever he dies, he is briefly sent to the Wooden Realm before being brought back to Earth. Despite his decision to forgo immortality in order to save Geppetto, Sebastian Cricket brings the boy back, and Pinocchio ends up watching his beloved companions die without him being hurt. .

Lampwick/Candlewick

The slight name change is not the only difference between the two versions: the Candlewick character was almost completely rewritten in del Toro's story. In Disney's traditional version, Lampwick is a bad boy who influences Pinocchio to follow him on a series of troublesome adventures, while Del Toro's Candlewick is an insecure boy who despite his father Insisting on seeing the wooden boy as an enemy, he nevertheless befriends Pinocchio.

Much has been said about how Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio was darker, and sometimes even frighteningly flirtatious, but fans shouldn't forget the bizarre donkey transformation in Disney's version. Lampwick met a terrible fate in the Disney movie, almost taking Pinocchio away.

The Donkey Storyline

For better or worse, some of the creepiest parts of Disney's Pinocchio have been completely removed in this new movie. manipulated Honest John and Gideon, the cat, and Pinocchio are sent to the Isle of Pleasure, where he meets many lawless companions, such as Lampwick.

However, the place hides a terrible curse and fuels a dark conspiracy: the island turns people into real donkeys, and one of the movie's villains plans to use the boys as animals to sell them into slave labor. Pinocchio himself becomes the recipient of the lesson, saved by the blue fairy during the final transformation.

Pinocchio & Geppetto's Reunion

At some point in Disney's Pinocchio, the story pauses and delays the climax of the film, as Pinocchio and Cricket return home to find the place empty, only to learn through the blue fairy that Geppetto is out looking for the puppet Adventures and ended up being swallowed by a giant sea monster.

In Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, the wooden boy finds himself in the belly of the beast after a violent confrontation with Podesta and the count of Volpe, after which he chances upon his Father. While this may feel like a plot convenience, it goes a long way towards the flow of the narrative, removing all the twists that preceded the father-son reunion in the original film.

The Monstro's Victim

monster A recurring antagonist in nearly every Pinocchio adaptation; a gigantic and fearsome whale with the energy of a final boss. The intense scene where Pinocchio and the gang try to evade the monster is very similar in style, with two parts to the intense battle; in and out of the whale.

However, the aftermath of the Monstro attack varies from film to film. In Disney's version, Pinocchio is the man who hangs between life and death after the whale's final blow, and in del Toro's version, when Pinocchio gives up his immortality to save his beloved father, Jack Peto is found barely alive, which involves a powerful emotional climax.

Cricket's Wish

In Disney's Pinocchio, the Blue Fairy assigns Cricket to serve as Pinocchio's conscience and guide him in the right direction in exchange for ambitious rewards. In Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, Cricket is outraged at how Wooden is using his new home as the recipient of a spell, but she promises him , if he accepts the challenge of helping Pinocchio adjust to life as a boy, he will have a wish granted.

In the end, not only is there a difference in the ways in which wishes are fulfilled, but also in the ways in which wishes are fulfilled. while at disney In del Toro's version, Cricket is simply awarded a gold badge that makes him an official conscience, and Cricket decides to give up his wish in order to save Pinocchio's life, elevating the film's emotional appeal and giving the character a more thoughtful arc.

The Happy Ending

Del Toro's Pinocchio takes an unexpected and dark turn in the final moments, which is different from the typical happy ending one would expect from the famous story. While Pinocchio regains his immortality, he gradually sees his friends leave one by one, until he is forced to live alone. Seeing death as something inherent in the cycle of life rather than some kind of curse is sad but deeply inspiring.

Disney's original Pinocchio had a much lighter ending, with Pinocchio becoming a real boy and freed from the Pleasure Island curse, as the cricket was rewarded for being an effective mentor to the boy.

The Setting

Much has been said about Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio's grotesque appearance and mild horror elements, but perhaps the most notable change to the story is its setting : In the 2022 version, the story takes place in traumatic post-World War I Italy, with fascist haunts rooted in Overhauling the way each character behaves turns the movie into an important socially conscious story.

Del Toro gave audiences a masterclass in how to approach delicate and complex subjects in a way that children would love and understand, including Pinocchio humiliating Mussolini in an unforgettable puppet show.