Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #719 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-03-09
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 84 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
This legendary animated feature is surely beyond criticism by now and, furthermore, it's unlikely that we'll see such forceful narrative in a kids' cartoon ever again. Disney's treatment of Collodi's story of the little wooden puppet who wants nothing more than to be a real boy is always guaranteed to have audiences entranced. While some of the movie's success is derived from its liberal use of the kind of imagery no children's film-maker would even attempt to get past the storyboard stage today--a mysterious island where children smoke cigars, get drunk and turn into donkeys, a monstrous, malicious sea-creature which is devoid of any trace of cuddliness and a pair of villains who routinely abduct children, to give just a few examples--the characters are depicted with the finest attention to detail, most of the songs have become classics in their own right ("When You Wish Upon a Star" being only one of many) and the graceful, stylised animation positively glows with fine detail. Essential family viewing. --Roger Thomas

DVD Description
Pinocchio, a wooden puppet, is brought to life by the Blue Fairy, with the promise that he can become a real boy if he proves himself worthy. He is led astray by the wicked Honest John and his companion Gideon, who turn him over to an evil puppeteer, Stromboli. Pinocchio is sent to Pleasure Island, where wicked boys are turned into donkeys, but he escapes with the aid of his friend and conscience, Jiminy Cricket, and eventually redeems himself by saving his father, Geppetto, who has been swallowed by Monstro, the whale. The Blue Fairy rewards Pinocchio by turning him into a real boy.

DVD Bonus Features
“No Strings Attached: The Making of Pinocchio”
Behind-the-Scenes the creation of this beloved film
Story of the Grandfather Tree
A sequence planned for the film that never materialised
The Sweat Box
Demystifying one of the lesser know animation processes
Geppetto’s Then And Now
Live Action Reference Footage
Pinocchio Art & Collectable Galleries
Collection of Theatrical Trailers
Deleted Songs
Pinocchio Puzzles

Synopsis
Walt Disney's second full-length animated feature is a timeless, breathtakingly beautiful classic. Based on an 1800s story by Carlo Collodi, it stars Jiminy Cricket (voiced by Cliff Edwards) as a vagabond insect who spends a rainy night at the shop of toymaker Geppetto. The Blue Fairy brings a marionette to life after Geppetto wishes on a star for a son, and Jiminy Cricket is appointed the new boy's conscience. He has a devil of a time keeping up as Pinocchio is willingly lured through various forms of temptation, the most frightening of which leads him to Pleasure Island, where he drinks, smokes, and is almost turned into a jackass. This sequence, as well as Pinocchio's brave rescue of Geppetto from the belly of a whale, ranks among the most memorable in the history of animation. With such songs as When You Wish Upon a Star, this is about as magical as cinema can get, a sublimely beautiful coming-of-age story for all to treasure.

Customer Reviews

A true classic
Pinocchio has always been regarded as one of Walt Disney's finest, if not finest, animated films by animation historians and film critics alike, and it's good to see that it's finally received a 2 disc DVD version a film if its stature deserves, with a well-made documentary and other rare footage. It's miles better than the one disc Special Edition released a few years ago. Pinocchio has always been a special film for me personally, as it was the first film I ever watched as a child in the cinema. The story is timeless, and the picture and animation are even more beautiful with this latest digital restoration. A true classic.

Pinocchio - a perfect reproduction
I was so relieved to find that this glorious film had been transferred to Blu-Ray in its original 4:3 format. So many times in the past have classics been ruined by "expanding" them into 16:9, causing the loss of the top and bottom of the screen (or even worse; the up and down pan-and-scan).

This Disney classic needs no introduction. Its an excellent film that has been marvellously reproduced. The colours are vibrant and clear. Detailed backgrounds come alive with clarity that I didn't know existed in this film.

A wonderful story that both young and old can enjoy.

Also the inclusion of a DVD version is a great plus to allow the kids (or indeed the parents) to watch it in another room.

A Disney Classic

The special DVD edition of Pinocchio is a perfect collector item, for Disney fans. The Special edition is digitally re-mastered, so that sound quality is a significant improvement compared from watching the animation let's say several years ago. The magical and musical dimensions of this Disney classic are re-lighted, whilst watching this DVD. The values and qualities of what most Disney animations typically represent are clearly depicted in Pinocchio. What I really admire about Pinocchio is the cheerfulness and way the characters are represented, which are colourful and humourless.

Pinocchio is fairly tale which originated from Italy. It is about a lonely and innocent toymaker's dream for his creation (wooden puppet) to become alive. Does his dream come true? The magic of Disney comes to light whilst watching the animation. That is the general gist of the story.

The extras accompanying the DVD include a commentary on the creation of Pinocchio. It is really interesting and fascinating to learn about. You can relieve the musical beats and moments of the movie which are real pleasure to listen to.

In a nutshell and straight to the point, Pinocchio is a Disney classic for all to enjoy and cherish. Disney is renowned for promoting family entertainment and this is an opportunity to watch the magic which Disney films continue to captivate audience with. To watch on DVD, is an extra bonus and real to joy to treasure in a DVD collection. If you are fan of Disney animations, Pinocchio is a truly recommended, as it consist of a simple story to follow, colourful characters and truly the voice of Disney.