Quite possibly the darkest of all Disney movies. While some may dissaprove of more adult content, I think that it is much safer for kids than The Incredibles.
Pinocchio
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Disney masterpiece is darker than you may remember.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 6 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Pinocchio was written by Nancy Davis Kho
Parents need to know that this Disney classic handily passes the test of time for a beautiful and effective lesson on the perils of doing wrong when you should know better. Some scenes and themes may be intense for younger or sensitive viewers, such as when Pinocchio is kidnapped and caged, threatened with destruction, can't find his father, and/or nearly drowns. They should also be aware that Pinocchio's friend Lampwick introduces him to cigar smoking, but is punished for it. Kids may be disturbed by Pleasure Island, where "bad boys" are turned into donkeys and sent to work in salt mines. But overall this morality tale is a good reminder of the importance of listening to your conscience.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about what it means to "let your conscience be your guide." How do you tell the difference between right and wrong, and what do you do if you can't figure it out? When Pinocchio is first kidnapped, Jiminy wants to tell Geppetto but worries about being "snitchy." What's the difference between being a tattletale and helping a friend in danger?
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More on Pinocchio
What’s the Story?
First released in
1940, PINOCCHIO tells the story of a kindhearted but lonely woodcarver named
Geppetto (voiced by Christian Rub) who wishes that the wooden puppet he carved
would be a real boy. His wish is granted by a fairy (Evelyn Venable,) but only
in part; it is up to the suddenly mobile Pinocchio (Dickie Jones) to finish his
transformation to boyhood by being brave, truthful, and unselfish. The fairy
gives him help in the form of Jiminy Cricket (Cliff Edwards), his designated
"guide along the straight and narrow path." But when that path is
strewn with temptations to skip school and visit Pleasure Island, Pinocchio's
quest to be a real boy -- not to mention his father's life -- are imperiled.
Is It Any Good?
Seven decades after it first came out, Pinocchio hearkens back to a time when the stars of animated films were the illustrators, not celebrity voice talent. The 2009 reissue includes digital restoration of the film's original colors, so that, for instance, scenes of various cuckoo clocks chiming simultaneously in Geppetto's workshop would be reason enough to recommend the film. The soundtrack includes classics like "When You Wish Upon a Star" and "Give a Little Whistle" that will still be familiar to families today.
But the lessons in the film are also timeless: the same traits of bravery, honesty, and selflessness that make Pinocchio human are ones we would like our children to possess in adulthood. The downside of ignoring your conscience is rendered in a way that may be uniquely terrifying to children -- how indulging in the temptations of Pleasure Island results in separation from family and utter loss of self. Though Jiminy's reassuring presence allows viewers to hope for the puppet boy's rescue, Pinocchio acts as the original "Scared Straight" experience for the younger set.
Movie Details
Studio: Disney, Director: Hamilton Luske
Run time: 88 minutes
Theatrical release: 2/7/1940, DVD release: 3/10/2009
MPAA Rating: G for General Audiences
Run time: 88 minutes
Theatrical release: 2/7/1940, DVD release: 3/10/2009
MPAA Rating: G for General Audiences
Our Members Say
See all 10 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
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I rate this title off for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
really should be rated...
this is the most inapropreate G movie i have ever scene!!!!!! and for these ressons: there is underage drinking and smoking, some vilonce and peril, and language like "jackass". I think they should have rated it PG-13. Or atleast a PG because having it G rated with all that stuff in it is wrong!
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I rate this title off for age 4 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Should have a PG-13 rating!
Where to start? Dancing girls that are scantily clad, caged up lead character, reliance on someone else to be your conscience, the clocks in the store are suggestive, excessive use of the word "jackass", not to mention drinking and smoking, spitting, and misbehaving. I'm sorry we bought it... I was hoping old school Disney would be sweet and nice for my 4 year old. Not so much!
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
One of my favourite Disney movies!
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I rate this title off for age 3 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Young children don't always have the attention span to get the whole message. All they see is Pinocchio smoking and drinking and are off doing something else when he suffers the consequences... It's not appropriate for any child under 5 in my oppinion and frankly was better off staying in the vault.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Scary for some
This movie tells you why you should say no to drugs, but also it includes some bad language, and it can scare few (My mom was scared), so it's pretty dark for a few minutes, then it kinda clears up.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
PG
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking |
| 67% | of parents say it's too violent |
| 67% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 33% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
| 33% | of parents say they notice product placement |
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