Pinocchio was the first movie that I ever saw and it left an indelible mark on me that fueled my love for animation, classic Disney storytelling and the movie theater experience. The film has been plucked out of the Disney vaults and remastered in a gorgeous 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition which is scheduled to be release on March 10, 2009. Available for the first time in high-definition and 2-Disc DVD, Pinocchio is brilliantly restored with enhanced picture and sound. Walt Disney’s second animated feature, Pinocchio debuted 70 years ago with vibrant hand drawn animation and a touching story that made it an instant classic. Introducing audiences to the magical favorites of Pinocchio, Geppetto the puppet maker and the Blue Fairy, Pinocchio also marks the screen debut of a character who became one of Disney’s signatures: the fast-talking, wisecracking Jiminy Cricket.
The DVD is loaded with hours of bonus features that include:
• Pinocchio’s Matter of Facts – – Learn fun facts about Pinocchio and other related subjects as you watch the movie.
• Audio Commentary — An all-new audio commentary with Leonard Maltin, Eric Goldberg and J. B. Kaufman.
• Disney Song Selection — Select this option to sing along with favorite songs as the lyrics appear onscreen.
• No Strings Attached: The Making of Pinocchio – – Witness the behind-the scenes magic that transformed Carlo Collodi’s popular book into a classic animated film.
• Deleted Scenes —
The Story of the Grandfather Tree – – Kindly Geppetto tells Pinocchio about the Great Pine Tree from which Pinocchio is descended.
In The Belly Of The Whale – – The most elaborate of Pinocchio’s deleted scenes that remain in the Disney Archives, these recently discovered storyboards reveal a different version of Geppetto inside Monstro.
• Alternate Ending – – A recently uncovered set of small storyboard panels reveal plans for a different version of Pinocchio becoming a real boy.
• The Sweat Box – – The Sweatbox was a small projection room at the Disney studio where Walt critiqued story reels, rough animation, and dailies of films in progress with his anxious artists. This piece traces the history of the Sweatbox and brings to life this important part of Walt Disney’s artistic process.
• Live Action Reference Footage
• Pinocchio Art Galleries
• Deleted Songs – – An audio collection of period “pop” recordings of songs that not used in the final film.
• Pinocchio Puzzles – – Hosted by Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio’s Puzzles is a multi-tiered Puzzle game that contains six unique wooden puzzles for the viewer to assemble. Each puzzle forms an image from the film that comes to life once they are complete.
The entire family will enjoy this universally loved film that taught us all to wish upon a star.
