Synopsis

In 18th-century Italy, woodcarver Geppetto creates Pinocchio, a puppet brought to life by magic. Eager to become a real boy, Pinocchio leaves home and encounters dishonest performers, troublesome companions, and a sinister theater owner who exploits his unusual talents. Guided by the cricket Pepe, he gradually learns that responsibility, honesty, and good deeds are essential to achieving his dream.

Factoids & Trivia

• The elaborate Pinocchio puppet was developed by Jim Henson's Creature Shop over nine months and required 12 operators during filming.

• The film was produced as an international collaboration involving companies from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Czech Republic.

• Czech locations included Prague, Troja Castle, Barrandov Studios, and Cesky Krumlov. Additional filming took place in Croatia and at High Force Waterfall in County Durham, England.

• The villain Lorenzini is named after Carlo Collodi, the author of the original novel. Collodi's real surname was Lorenzini.

• The production presents a version closer to Collodi's darker and more episodic source material than the familiar Disney interpretation. The Blue Fairy is replaced by the character Leona.

• The soundtrack combines Rachel Portman's orchestral score with songs associated with Brian May and Stevie Wonder. Brian May also contributed vocals to "II Colosso," with the recording altered to match Pinocchio's character voice.

• A sequel, The New Adventures of Pinocchio, followed in 1999 as a direct-to-video release. Martin Landau returned as Geppetto, while Pinocchio was played by Gabriel Thomson.