Released in 1940, Walt Disney's Pinocchio is an iconic animated film based on Carlo Collodi's 1883 novel The Adventures of Pinocchio. While both works have had a lasting impact on popular culture, there are significant differences between the two.
One of the most notable differences between the works is their tone. The novel, which sees Pinocchio narrowly escape death several times, is a dark, moralistic story that emphasizes the themes of redemption and the consequences of bad behavior and disobedience. Collodi even intended to end the series with Pinocchio being hanged to death from an oak tree, and he had to be convinced to continue writing beyond the grim scene. By contrast, the Disney film is more light-hearted and whimsical, featuring a greater emphasis on the adventure and fantasy elements present in the original.
Another major difference is how Pinocchio's character develops throughout the story. In the novel, he is a selfish and lazy character who goes through a significant personal journey and learns to become more responsible and selfless. Meanwhile, the Disney film portrays Pinocchio as innocent and naive, and his transformation from a wooden puppet into a real boy is a magical transformation rather than something he explicitly has to earn through suffering and hard work.
Additionally, the Disney version features changes made to certain central characters. In the original, Pinocchio kills the Talking Cricket during their first encounter, while the Disney version features Jiminy Cricket as the voice of Pinocchio's conscience. The Fairy in both versions is beautiful and ethereal, but the blue hair she has in the original becomes a blue dress (and blonde hair) in the film. The Disney Fairy also doesn't possess the same taste for punishment that the novel version does.
It is also significant to note that the Disney adaptation emphasizes Pinocchio's issue with lying, which is betrayed by his growing nose. In the novel, this quirk is a minor aspect of Pinocchio's character, and is only significantly explored in two minor scenes.
Lastly, viewers of the film will likely remember Pinocchio making a wish upon a star, which never arises in the novel.
