A live action adaptation of the 1883 novel from Italian film maker Matteo Garone. This version of Pinocchio is much more of a fairy tale warning for children than a heart warming animation.

The film plays out as though it is a series of scrapes that our titular hero gets into with the main moral being that you should do as your parents say and go to school or face severe consequences. As a result of its more faithful adaptation this does make the film feel a little long as the 125 minute running time tells us the same morals again and again but there is something special about this film that makes it very interesting to watch.

The uniqueness of its perspective and its visual design are what keep it so intriguing. Perhaps it is the fact that the original source material is Italian but the film makers seem to have a real love and affinity for this story. In fact Roberto Benigni who plays Geppetto in this version played Pinocchio himself in a film he wrote and directed in 2002. The visuals are stunning. With very little visual effects and some stunning prosthetics, make up and costumes the film brings to life puppets, snails, cats, foxes and of course the blue fairy in unique ways that will stay with you long after watching.

I am not 100% convinced I could recommend it as a cinema visit. The children in the screening I went to found some moments hilarious but I could not help but feel it is the sort of children’s film with visuals that might upset children of a more nervous disposition! The dubbed version I saw did not work for me completely either. There were moments where what appeared to be gloriously expressive Italian acting was let down by poor dubbing and whilst clearly it is more conducive to having a children’s film dubbed I suspect I would enjoy a subtitled version more. The imagery though is beautiful and it is a refreshing take on the story.

Definitely worth catching on DVD or a streaming service.