Pinocchio
Screenplay Story Analysis
How scenes compare to the Scripts in our Library
Percentile | Before | After | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Structure | 8.63 | 91 | The matrix: 8.61 | Pinocchio: 8.63 |
External Goal | 8.37 | 83 | The matrix: 8.33 | Pinocchio: 8.37 |
Concept | 8.2 | 83 | Amadeus: 8.1 | fight Club: 8.2 |
Originality | 7.05 | 78 | Inglorious Basterds: 7.02 | Pinocchio: 7.05 |
Formatting | 9.08 | 69 | LA confidential - draft: 9.05 | Scott pilgrim vs. the world: 9.08 |
Internal Goal | 8.22 | 65 | What we do in the shadows: 8.13 | Pinocchio: 8.22 |
Engagement | 8.68 | 62 | LA confidential - draft: 8.67 | Pinocchio: 8.68 |
Emotional Impact | 7.5 | 56 | Deadpool: 7.4 | Inception: 7.5 |
Plot | 8.1 | 54 | The sweet hereafter: 8.0 | Vice: 8.1 |
Character Changes | 5.9 | 47 | Community: 5.8 | Breaking Bad: 5.9 |
Pacing | 8.39 | 45 | Everything Everywhere All at Once: 8.34 | Pinocchio: 8.39 |
Overall | 8.2 | 45 | The sweet hereafter: 8.1 | Donnie Darko: 8.2 |
High Stakes | 7.0 | 38 | Lucifer: 6.7 | Mr. Smith goes to Washington: 7.0 |
Story Forward | 7.7 | 38 | Breaking Bad: 7.6 | Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde : 7.7 |
Conflict Level | 7.1 | 31 | Boyz n the hood: 7.0 | American beauty: 7.1 |
Characters | 8.0 | 29 | Hors de prix: 7.9 | Donnie Darko: 8.0 |
Dialogue | 7.0 | 7 | Stranger things: 6.9 | the Shining: 7.0 |
Story Content | Character Development | Scene Elements | Audience Engagement | Technical Aspects | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scene Number | Full Analysis | Tone | Overall Grade | Concept | Plot | Originality Score | Characters | Character Changes | Internal Goal | External Goal | Conflict | Opposition | High stakes | Story forward | Twist | Emotional Impact | Dialogue | Engagement | Pacing | Formatting | Structure |
1 | The Loss of Carlo | "Melancholic" | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 |
2 | Geppetto and Carlo's Life | "Sentimental" | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 9 |
3 | Geppetto Remembers Carlo | "nostalgic" | 9 | 9 | 8 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
4 | Geppetto Mourns for Carlo | "Somber" | 9 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
5 | Geppetto's Grief | "somber" | 8.2 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
6 | Geppetto's Grief | "Melancholic" | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 |
7 | Pinocchio Comes to Life | "Suspenseful" | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 |
8 | Pinocchio wreaks havoc in Geppetto's workshop | "Chaotic" | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
9 | Pinocchio Visits the Fascist Town | "Whimsical" | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
10 | Pinocchio Causes Chaos in Church | "Tense" | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 |
11 | Geppetto teaches Pinocchio about the consequences of lying | "Whimsical" | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
12 | A Puppet's Demands | "Whimsical" | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
13 | A Night of Reflection | "Whimsical" | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 9 |
14 | Count Volpe's Palace | "Whimsical" | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
15 | Pinocchio Goes to School and Receives a Gift from Geppetto | "Innocent, heartfelt" | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
16 | Pinocchio Gets Caught Up in the Carnival | "Exciting" | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 |
17 | Pinocchio's Temptation | "tense" | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
18 | Pinocchio performs at the carnival | "Upbeat" | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
19 | Pinocchio's Betrayal | "Tense" | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
20 | Pinocchio Goes to Limbo | "Whimsical" | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
21 | Pinocchio Meets Death | "Somber" | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
22 | Pinocchio's Resurrection | "Satirical" | 7 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 |
23 | Pinocchio's Plan | "Heartbreaking" | 8 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
24 | Pinocchio Runs Away | "Tense" | 9 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
25 | Pinocchio's Journey Continues | "Nostalgic, hopeful" | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 |
26 | Pinocchio Performs for Il Duce | "Hopeful, but with underlying tension" | 8 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
27 | The Chase | "Intense" | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
28 | Pinocchio stands up against Count Volpe | "Tense" | 8.5 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
29 | Pinocchio's Farting Puppet Show for Il Duce | "Satirical" | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
30 | Pinocchio Confronts Mortality | "dark" | 8 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
31 | In the Youth Camp Dormitory | "tense, patriotic, introspective" | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 |
32 | The Battle for Honor | "Slightly comedic but with serious undertones" | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
33 | The Final Lesson | "intense" | 8 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
34 | Escape from Count Volpe's Lair | "Tense" | 9 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 |
35 | Escape from the Dogfish | "tense" | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 9 |
36 | Escape from the Dogfish | "Tense" | 7 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 9 |
37 | Escape from the Dogfish | "Tense" | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
38 | Pinocchio Comes Back to Life | "Sad, hopeful" | 9 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
39 | Epilogue | "Bittersweet" | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
Scene 1 - The Loss of Carlo
Written by
Guillermo del Toro
and
Patrick McHale
Based on
"Pinocchio" by C. Collodi
DARKNESS:
CRICKET (V.O.)
By the time master Geppetto made
Pinocchio, he had already lost a
son...
FADE IN:
EXT. THE HILL - DUSK
CRICKET (V.O.)
Now this was quite a few years
before my time, but I learned the
story... and then it became my
story...
Some autumn leaves are blowing by.
Small hill by a pine forest, and RED birch trees. AUTUMN. A
lonely figure standing by a wooden grave marker. This is
GEPPETTO. Able-bodied and in his mid-seventies, but sorrow
ages him. A shock of white hair- matching his unruly beard-
haloing his strong, noble face.
He is consumed by grief. He kneels by the grave, brushes off
the snow.
Embedded- and framed- by the wooden grave marker, there is a
photograph of a beautiful boy of TEN, Carlo. And the
inscription on the grave reads:
CARLO, MY ANGEL, Gone back to heaven, February, 1916.
CRICKET (V.O.)
Geppetto lost Carlo during the
Great War. They had been together
only ten years-
(beat)
-but it was as if Carlo had taken
the old man’s life with him...
Geppetto looks at the photograph and smiles a tremulous
smile. A tear rolls down his cheek.
CAMERA pushes on the photograph. We transition to:
EXT. GEPPETTO WORKSHOP - TREE (THE PAST) - DAY
Cold WINTER day. CARLO swings in a tree swing. Looks up at
planes passing overhead. Jumps off the swing. He rushes back
to the house, pretending to be an airplane.
2.
CARLO
(airplane sounds)
INT. GEPPETTO WORKSHOP - DAY
The workshop is a WARM wonderland of toys and marionettes.
Everything is hand-carved: doors, furniture, shelves,
utensils.
CARLO
Papa, Papa...
GEPPETTO
Yes?
CARLO
Guess what I saw!
GEPPETTO
What?
CARLO
Guess!
GEPPETTO
I have no idea.
CARLO
I saw some planes!
GEPPETTO
Oh, did you? Good.
Geppetto is carving a puppet. Carlo tries to steal a look.
CARLO
What is it you’re making this time,
Papa?
GEPPETTO
Guess.
CARLO
A soldier? A magician? A witch?
GEPPETTO
No, no, no, no, no, no, no! You’ll
have to wait and see, Carlo. All
good things require patience!
-DRAG WOOD BACK TO THE HOUSE.
3.
-FEED THE FIRE TOGETHER.
CRICKET (V.O.)
They wanted for nothing; all they
needed was each other’s company.
-HAVE A MODEST BUT ABUNDANT MEAL TOGETHER. CROSS THEMSELVES
AND EAT.
GEPPETTO
(quietly praying)
Ratings
Scene 2 - Geppetto and Carlo's Life
Carlo is in his hand-carved bed, decorated with Italian fairy-
tale pictures. Light snow falls outside a window.
Geppetto reads Carlo a fairy tale.
GEPPETTO
And the old witch warned the little
hedgehog- do not tell lies, or your
nose will grow and grow- up to
here!
Geppetto extends his finger out from his nose to demonstrate
it growing. Carlo’s eyes sparkle, still immersed in the
story.
CARLO
His nose would grow?
GEPPETTO
Lies, my dear boy, are found out
immediately, because they are like
long noses- visible to all but the
teller of the lie...
(beat)
And the more you lie... the more it
grows...
They both laugh as Geppetto encompasses Carlo in the blanket,
tickling him through the fabric.
CARLO
(yawns)
Sing me Mama’s song so I can sleep,
please, Papa?
GEPPETTO
Alright.
4.
Geppetto grabs his accordion and starts playing a sweet
LULLABY.
He clears his throat and then begins.
GEPPETTO
(singing)
My Son... My son... You are my
shining Sun. My moon. My stars.
My clear blue daylight sky.
Carlo closes his eyes and what follows is a series of
vignettes over different seasons.
-GEPPETTO PUSHES CARLO ON A SWING.
CARLO
Higher, Papa! Higher!
GEPPETTO (SONG) V.O.
And if you looked at me today, my
heart would heal so fast. And if
you held me right away, I’d be
complete at last... At last...
-GEPPETTO TEACHES CARLO TO CARVE MARIONETTES.
EXT. BUTCHER’S SHOP
Geppetto installs a pig-doorbell on the BUTCHER’S SHOP.
GEPPETTO
Try it.
Carlo pulls the strings to test it out.
He’s paid with sausages and HAM!!
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
Thank the ladies.
The BUTCHER SISTERS laugh at how excited Carlo is. How cute.
Geppetto walks Carlo up to the school and gives him a book.
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
For you.
CARLO
(small gasp)
For me?
5.
GEPPETTO
For you, Carlo.
Waves goodbye to Carlo as he heads off to SCHOOL. Carlo joins
happy kids.
GEPPETTO (SONG) V.O. (CONT’D)
You are my favorite, favorite
thing. Better than Sunset- Better
than spring: You bring me joy, You
make me sing. In the morning and
the evening too. You are everything
to me and I love you.
INT. GEPPETTO WORKSHOP
Carlo studies his SCHOOLBOOK beside his father. Geppetto
proudly glances at his studious son.
Geppetto carves the FACE OF A CHRIST.
INT. CHURCH - DUSK
Geppetto and Carlo install the unpainted crucifix in church.
GEPPETTO
Pull, Carlo! Pull!
TOWN PRIEST
Magnificent work, Geppetto.
GEPPETTO
Thank you.
EXT. THE HILL - DAY
Geppetto rests in a bed of moss near the forest, a picnic
spread out before him. Carlo flies a kite nearby, giggling
with childish glee as it dances upon the wind.
GEPPETTO (SONG) V.O.
My Son, My Son: You are my golden
Sun.
-GEPPETTO AND CARLO CHOP DOWN A TREE.
As it starts to fall Geppetto lunges forward to quickly pull
Carlo out of the way.
6.
GEPPETTO
(stuttering)
Watch out, Carlo!
-CARLO LOOKS FOR A PERFECT PINE CONE.
GEPPETTO
(speaking)
When one life is lost, another must
grow.
CARLO
How about this one?
Carlo shows him a scraggly-looking pine cone.
GEPPETTO
(speaking)
No- no- no- no, Carlo. It has to be
perfect- complete. See? This one’s
missing some of its scales...
Carlo nods, examining the imperfect pine cone.
-GEPPETTO CARVES. CARLO WATCHES AND HELPS.
GEPPETTO (SONG) V.O.
My Son, My Son: You are my shining
Sun...
INT. GEPPETTO WORKSHOP - DUSK
Geppetto carves a pair of clogs for Carlo.
Then PAINTS them beautifully in bright colors.
Ratings
Scene 3 - Geppetto Remembers Carlo
Carlo yawns and sleepily nestles back down in his pillow.
Geppetto puts down his accordion and gets into his own bed.
CARLO
Good night, Papa...
GEPPETTO
Good night, my son.
7.
EXT. TOWN STREETS - DAY
WINTER -- February, 1916
Snow still lingers around town. Geppetto and Carlo go by,
dragging a WOODEN CART filled with the paints and tools.
Geppetto is well groomed. Carlo sits on the back of the cart,
proudly wearing his new brightly colored clogs.
CARLO
I love my new shoes, Papa.
GEPPETTO
I’m very glad, Carlo.
CARLO
We’re going to church first, right?
GEPPETTO
Oh yes, yes.
Carlo spots a stray dog on the side of the road.
CARLO
Hello there, little dog.
We see the town: a BEAUTIFUL village with turn-of-the-century
buildings peppered amongst Medieval hamlets and workshops:
The spirit of the town is LIVELY. Geppetto and Carlo wave to
people as they travel through town.
STREET SWEEP WOMAN
Buongiorno, Geppetto.
Carlo and Geppetto pass by an alley with sleeping dogs and
lighthearted posters. They pass by more townspeople going
about their day.
CARNIVAL WORKER #2
Morning.
GEPPETTO
Morning!
THE BUTCHER says “hello” as do the YOUNG TWIN DAUGHTERS.
BUTCHER
Master Geppetto! You gonna finish
that crucifix today?
GEPPETTO
We’re gonna do our best! Ladies.
8.
TWIN DAUGHTER 1 TWIN DAUGHTER 2
Such a perfectionist! Such a perfectionist!
The BLACKSMITH and his WIFE hammer horseshoes.
THE BLACKSMITH
(he will become PODESTÀ)
A model Italian citizen!
PODESTÀ'S WIFE
And such a good father.
FRUIT VENDOR
Carlo, nice shoes. Catch!
The FRUIT VENDOR tosses him an orange.
CARLO
Thank you, sir!
MILLINER
Good morning.
CARLO
Hi!
Geppetto and Carlo head up towards a MASSIVE STONE CHURCH,
romanesque and looming above the town, casting a shadow over
it. A few people bustle about in front. THE DOCTOR AND HIS
WIFE pass by and greet them.
DOCTOR
Buongiorno.
GEPPETTO
Buongiorno, Dottore.
THE TOWN PRIEST awaits Geppetto on the steps.
TOWN PRIEST
Ahh, Carlo. Geppetto.
The Priest reaches out and shakes Geppetto’s hand to welcome
him.
Carlo runs ahead and sees the nearly finished Crucifix.
Ratings
Scene 4 - Geppetto Mourns for Carlo
Geppetto still painting. Carlo looks up from his SCHOOL BOOK.
9.
CARLO
It looks great, Papa! Is it almost
time to go home?
GEPPETTO
Almost. Send up a little more red
for me.
CARLO looks in Geppetto’s COMPLEX TOOL/PAINT BOX and passes a
paint jar, using a bucket.
CARLO
Oh! I forgot to show you what I
found!
GEPPETTO
What is it, my boy??
CARLO
You’ll see...Ta-da!!!
Carlo has hidden a PINE CONE in the bucket.
GEPPETTO
(laughing)
The PERFECT pine cone! It still has
all its scales!
CARLO
I thought I could plant it myself
and watch the tree grow. And then
carve toys for myself- like you do.
Geppetto laughs, proud.
GEPPETTO
I think that’s as good an idea as
any boy ever had, Carlo...
Geppetto tosses the pine cone down to Carlo. He fumbles and
bats it around several times before safely securing it.
CARLO
Isn’t it?
A low rumble drones above their heads.
CARLO (CONT’D)
What’s that sound, Papa?
Geppetto listens.
CARLO (CONT’D)
Is it a plane?
10.
Geppetto grows concerned, but shakes it off. He climbs down
the scaffold- agile- nimble.
GEPPETTO
Gather the tools- quickly. We’ll go
home to a warm fire and hot soup.
CARLO
Can we have some hot chocolate too?
GEPPETTO
(distracted)
Sure, sure.
CARLO
It seems like a hot chocolate sort
of day...doesn’t it?
GEPPETTO
Oh yes, yes, yes. Fa-fine.
Geppetto isn’t listening. His attention is on the ominous
sounds outside. He heads towards the exit of the church.
Carlo starts to follow him.
EXT. CHURCH - NIGHT
Geppetto stands at the foot of the church and looks up in the
sky.
CARLO
Papa, what is it?
GEPPETTO
Nothing. I’m sure it’s nothing,
but...
CARLO
Oh wait, my pine cone!
Carlo returns to collect his pine cone.
The sky is peppered with planes, going to war. Bombs explode
in the distance.
CRICKET (V.O.)
It was later said that Geppetto’s
little town was not even a target-
that these planes were heading back
to base and simply let go of their
bombs to make their ballast
lighter...
11.
One of the planes- THE BIGGEST ONE-
-Releases 3 large bombs.
THE BOMBS FALL- whistling-
-heading for the ground-
GEPPETTO
(gasps)
Carlo!
Geppetto runs back to the church-
Inside the church Carlo finds his missing pine cone.
-But it is too late! The bombs hit the church and burn the
frame. Debris flies everywhere.
Geppetto falls to the ground. His ears ringing.
All he can see is fire.
Something lands near him: Carlo’s perfect PINE CONE.
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
No. Carlo.
Geppetto passes out.
CAMERA TRACKS INTO: THE BURNING CHURCH.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE HILL - DUSK
Geppetto plants the pine cone by Carlo’s grave, and cries. A
few MOURNERS keep their distance.
Then they move away, leaving Geppetto alone with his grief.
Two men hammer the headstone into the ground.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. CHURCH
CRICKET (V.O.)
Geppetto never left his side- and
that was that. He worked very
little, he ate even less...
(MORE)
12.
CRICKET (V.O.) (CONT'D)
and the Church’s crucifix remained
unfinished...
-The bombed out church- the broken, maimed crucifix, examined
by the angry Town Priest. He begins to pray.
EXT. THE HILL
-Geppetto in the WINTER, cleaning Carlo’s grave.
-Geppetto in the SPRING, laying flowers on the grave.
-Geppetto in the SUMMER, telling stories with puppets.
-Geppetto in the FALL, singing a song with his accordion.
Ratings
Scene 5 - Geppetto's Grief
CRICKET
The years passed, the world moved
on, but Geppetto did not...
Geppetto DRINKS alone in his cold, lifeless bedroom. He
stares at Carlo’s old SCHOOL BOOK and a few other mementos.
He passes out, asleep.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
EXT. THE HILL - SUNSET
SPRING -- Saturday, APRIL 9, 1939.
A PINE TREE has grown out of Carlo’s grave. Storm clouds.
CRICKET (V.O.)
And this is where I come in...
CAMERA discovers SEBASTIAN J. CRICKET. A somewhat elegant
cricket, but still a cricket. He hops along the grass, uphill-
carrying a CANVAS BAG AND A SUITCASE in one arm, and a
LEATHER-BOUND VOLUME AND A KNAPSACK tucked under the other.
CRICKET (V.O.)
Y’see I was a writer- and for years
I’d been looking for the ideal
conditions to set my illustrious,
fascinating life-story to paper.
Until at long last... I found it:
13.
The Cricket approaches the grave and looks UP-
- To a nook in the pine tree.
CRICKET (V.O.)
My sanctuary. HOME!
INT. NOOK - SUNSET
It begins to rain outside, but the nook is spacious and dry.
The Cricket examines the space- standing on its own two hind
legs- like a proud homeowner. He is making it “cozy”.
CRICKET (V.O.)
HERE I could write my memoirs! And
what a tale it would be! I had
lived in a barrister’s fireplace in
Sardinia, sailed on the Adriatic in
a fishing boat! Nested one Perugian
winter with an acclaimed sculptor!!
Cricket takes a portrait- places it on a knot in the nook and
then displays his inkwell and quill.
He writes the title of his book:
CRICKET
“Stridulations of My Youth”
By Sebastian J. Cricket.
Then:
The Cricket looks out the nook.
EXT. THE HILL - SUNSET
Geppetto sprawled beside grave, bottle in hand in the rain.
GEPPETTO
(weeping)
I dreamed of you, Carlo...I
dreamed, you were right back here
with me. My son.
The Cricket watches Geppetto, crying by the grave.
CRICKET
Oh dear.
GEPPETTO
If only I could have you back
here... I’m so sorry...
14.
CRICKET (V.O.)
I watched the old man weep and it
moved me... And it turns out that I
wasn’t the only one watching him...
The Cricket looks into the woods.
FROM THE WOODS
THE WINGED FIGURE watches Geppetto.
CRICKET
In my many wanderings on this
earth, I’ve learned that there are
old spirits living in the
mountains, in the forests...
The Cricket and her make eye contact.
CRICKET (CONT’D)
Who rarely involve themselves in
the human world-
The GLOWING EYEBALLS fade into the bark of the trees.
CRICKET (CONT’D)
But on occasion... They do.
GEPPETTO
I want you back, Carlo- right
here...with me!
GEPPETTO SLAMS HIS FIST AGAINST THE TREE.
GEPPETTO
Why won’t you listen to my prayers!
Why!!
A deluge of rain pours down from the branches.
The Cricket takes one last pitiful look at furious Geppetto,
as he marches away, stumbling- shakes his head, and goes back
inside.
INT. NOOK - NIGHT
Cricket sits down and starts to write again-
CRICKET
Ahh, where were we? Ah yes,
Perugia.
15.
when--
His handwriting shakes- wavers. The whole nook shakes.
CRICKET (CONT’D)
Whoaaah! What in my antennae-?
Oooof!!!
EXT. THE HILL - NIGHT
From Cricket’s POV inside the nook, we see Geppetto using an
axe to chop down the tree. Lighting! THUNDER!
INT. NOOK - SAME
The Cricket’s world SHAKES with every hack of the axe,
causing him to lose balance. He scrambles to keep his papers
safe.
GEPPETTO (O.S.)
I will have him back. I’ll make
Carlo again.
CRICKET
Wuhh...Hey!!
GEPPETTO
Out of this accursed pine!!
EXT. THE HILL - NIGHT
Rain pours down. Wind whirls. Lightning! THUNDER CRACKS!
Geppetto hacks the tree with an axe.
INT. NOOK - NIGHT
C-c-crack! Tree falls. Cricket goes weightless (ref: Magnolia
ambulance scene).
CRICKET
ahhhahaha!
It lands HARD. His papers strewn all over.
Ratings
Scene 6 - Geppetto's Grief
Geppetto drags a piece of the trunk back towards-
16.
EXT. GEPPETTO HOUSE
-His house.
CRICKET
(Gasps)
INT. GEPPETTO WORKSHOP
The Cricket pops out of the tree like a submarine captain,
dizzy from his journey. He is inside the workshop.
He follows Geppetto in his drinking binge: stumbling drunk
and retrieving sharp carving instruments.
SHINK! A bark spud slides across surface, almost decapitating
Cricket!
CRICKET
What on earth? Nooo!
He narrowly escapes and hides in a cuckoo clock.
As Cricket watches with morbid fascination, camera adjusts to
reveal a TINY MAN standing right behind him! Wait, no, it’s
just a wooden peg doll from the cuckoo clock. Phew!
HE almost kills the Cricket as the clock strikes the hour.
CRICKET (CONT’D)
Oww! Ohhh! Oooh!
Geppetto looks at a picture of Carlo (one ear visible in
photo). He witnesses Geppetto carve Pinocchio- furiously.
Vehemently.
CRICKET (CONT’D)
It’s a house of horrors!
(gasps and covers his eyes)
He finishes one beautifully carved ear, little curls of hair
on one side of his head. He touches the ear tenderly.
He cries at the sight. He prays- to no one in particular.
Geppetto hammers some nails. Attaches a carved hand. Hinges a
knee. Places the head on the neck joint.
We see an unfinished, basic puppet, sketched but crude.
PINOCCHIO.
17.
GEPPETTO
I... I will finish you tomorrow...
Geppetto stumbles to the stairs.
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
Yes, tomorrow...
But passes out halfway up the steps- slides down and slumps
on the floor.
A glowing eye blinks into view in front of Geppetto. It
inspects him.
Cricket watches curiously. Another eye floats in to inspect
Cricket.
CRICKET
Shoo, Shoo, Shoo, Shoo, Shoo!
Cricket sees eyes are swarming all around Pinocchio.
CRICKET (CONT’D)
Hey! Get away from there! Go away!
Bugger off!
Cricket jumps to Pinocchio, trying to scare away the eyes.
CRICKET (CONT’D)
No, no, no, no, no! This is my
home! No trespassing! Go, go, go,
go. Get away from here! Go! Go
away! Go away!
Eyes drift away.
CRICKET (CONT’D)
Yes, that’s right!
The eyes begin to form a FIGURE. The FIGURE DISPLAYS its
wings (covered with eyes in place of feathers) and reveals
the benign face of a PALE WOOD SPRITE. The face has clear
similarities to Carlo’s mother’s face, but is simplified and
statuesque.
CRICKET (CONT’D)
Now what?
The Cricket watches as the Pale Figure approaches Pinocchio.
CRICKET (CONT’D)
(in awe)
Whoa!
18.
WOOD SPRITE
Little wooden boy... May you rise
with the sun and walk the earth...
CRICKET
Excuse me- Can I help you?
Unnervingly, the FIGURE half turns, ALL EYES ON THE CRICKET,
WINGS FLUTTERING.
CRICKET (CONT’D)
This is my home we’re talking
about!
He hops towards the Wood Sprite.
CRICKET (CONT’D)
(harrumphs)
May I ask- Who on earth are you?
WOOD SPRITE
On Earth? A Guardian. I care for
the little things, the forgotten
things- the lost ones.
CRICKET
Well, I am Sebastian J. Cricket:
HOMEOWNER. And I have every right
to be consulted about your schemes
and machinations regarding my
property.
WOOD SPRITE
Well, since you already live in the
heart of the wooden boy, perhaps
you can help me.
CRICKET
Help you what?
WOOD SPRITE
To watch over him: guide him to be
good.
CRICKET
I’m not a governess, madam, I am a
novelist- a raconteur- currently
immersed in writing my memoirs.
WOOD SPRITE
Well, in this world you get what
you give. Take on this
responsibility, and I will grant
you one wish.
19.
CRICKET
And that could be anything?
Anything at all?
Cricket scratches his antenna with his hind leg.
CRICKET (CONT’D)
The publication of my book? Fame?
Fortune?
WOOD SPRITE
Anything.
Cricket looks to Pinocchio, who lays in the corner, half in
shadow, limbs akimbo.
CRICKET
Hmm, maybe I CAN help. I’ll try my
best and that’s the best anyone can
do!
(beat)
Hehe, that’s rather clever, isn’t
it?
Cricket turns back to Wood Sprite, who touches the puppet
with her GLOWING RIGHT HAND:
WOOD SPRITE
Little wooden boy. Made of pine- We
shall call you Pinocchio- may you
rise with the sun and wander the
earth and bring joy and company to
that poor heartbroken man- be his
son- fill his days with light- so
he’ll never be alone.
The Cricket is perched on Pinocchio’s nose. ZAPPP! He is
electrocuted by the Wood Sprite’s magic. He falls to the
table.
She then fades away...
The light fades away as well.
Ratings
Scene 7 - Pinocchio Comes to Life
Geppetto wakes up at the bottom of the stairs. Through the
fog of sleep we hear faint footsteps and clattering.
He looks around, hungover but curious of the sounds.
He notices: The Puppet is gone.
20.
He notices: The picture of Carlo, knocked over and covered in
wood shavings.
He looks under the workshop table: Nothing.
He hears more noise. Reacts quickly and bumps his head on the
table.
Clattering. It’s coming from above. A ladder leads to an
attic crawlspace over the workshop.
GEPPETTO
Who goes there??
Geppetto grabs an AXE from the ground and moves cautiously.
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
I...I’m warning you. I...I have a
weapon!
He climbs the ladder, and enters the attic.
INT. ATTIC - MORNING
Suspenseful horror movie sequence: Geppetto pops his head
into the dim attic.
In the dark corner is a strange, unnatural writhing-and-
rattling THING. Geppetto approaches trepidatiously. As his
eyes adjust he sees there is something ALIVE in the attic.
The THING steps into the light like Frankenstein, revealing
its grotesquely lit face: it is PINOCCHIO!
PINOCCHIO
Good morning, Papa!
Pinocchio is alive!
GEPPETTO
ARRRRRGH!!!
Geppetto screams in absolute horror!!
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
W-what is this??! What kind of
sorcery?!
PINOCCHIO
You wanted me to live! You asked
for me to live!
21.
GEPPETTO
Who- Who--are you!??
PINOCCHIO
My name is Pinocchio! I’m your son!
Geppetto frantically holds the axe.
GEPPETTO
You’re not my son! Don’t come near
me!
Sebastian J. pops out of Pinocchio’s chest.
CRICKET
The boy is telling the truth,
Master Geppetto!
GEPPETTO
Arrrgh!! It’s full of cockroaches!
Geppetto recoils.
The old man backs up in terror, hitting his head on the low
ceiling, tripping backwards through the crawlspace door,
hitting his chin as he falls down...
Ratings
Scene 8 - Pinocchio wreaks havoc in Geppetto's workshop
...and landing on the hard floor of the workshop. The axe
tumbles from his hand.
Pinocchio descends the ladder with disjointed, inhuman
movements; he’s not yet in full control of his body (ref: a
baby’s weird twitchy movements / floppy wooden puppet).
Geppetto, flat on his back, tries to pull himself further
away from this monstrosity.
Pinocchio starts to look around the room in wonder. He picks
up the axe and looks at it with curiosity.
He gasps and runs off, giggling, as he sees something else of
interest.
Having lost interest in the axe, he tosses it aside. Luckily
this time Geppetto is able to catch it before it strikes him.
PINOCCHIO
(gasps)
Wow...What is this?
22.
Another gasp, as Pinocchio sees a row of glinting empty
bottles. He rushes over.
PINOCCHIO (SONG) (CONT’D)
All the things my eyes can see...
GEPPETTO
No...No. Get away from me!
PINOCCHIO
Everything is new to me.
GEPPETTO (SONG)
You, you stand back! Don’t come
near me!
PINOCCHIO
Yo dee lo dee lee
What do you call it, call it?
GEPPETTO (SONG)
It...It’s a clock. Don’t touch it!
PINOCCHIO (SONG)
What to do with it, with it?
GEPPETTO (SONG)
It sings at 6 o’clock.
Pinocchio hops around the room causing destruction in his
glee.
PINOCCHIO (SONG)
Yo dee lo dee lo yo dee
GEPPETTO
Oh no! Argh!
Pinocchio begins to pick up objects he sees around the room.
PINOCCHIO
Yo dee lo dee lo yo lee
What do you call it, call it?
GEPPETTO
No, no, please!
Geppetto chases him, trying to calm him- picking up after
him. Sebastian stays inside the nook- holds on for dear life.
GEPPETTO (SONG) (CONT’D)
That’s a hammer.
23.
PINOCCHIO (SONG)
What to do with it, with it?
GEPPETTO (SONG)
You tap, you smash, you shatter.
PINOCCHIO (SONG)
Love it. I love it.
Yo dee lo dee lo yo dee lo dee lo
dee dee
Pinocchio smashes with the hammer, shattering all the
bottles.
GEPPETTO (SONG)
Oh no! No! Ugh!
PINOCCHIO (SONG)
Everything is new to me,
To me
GEPPETTO (SONG)
Ca-Careful!
Pinocchio grabs a broom and swings it around, dancing with it
like Fred Astaire.
Cricket, inside the nook, hangs on for dear life.
Pinocchio climbs up and swings from the ceiling. In his
enthusiasm, he knocks some knives off a shelf. They come
dangerously close to stabbing Geppetto, but he manages to
leap out of the way as they pierce the ground all around him.
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
Ahh, sharp! Sharp!! Ahhh!
PINOCCHIO (SONG)
The world is rich with funny words
They ring like bells those tiny
words
They glow, they shine, they dance
in my mind
Like a chorus line, those silly
words of mine
La la eee dooo
La la eee dooo
What do you call it, call it?
GEPPETTO (SONG)
Uhh, a--a chamberpot.
Pinocchio begins running around again clutching the bedpan.
24.
PINOCCHIO
What to do with it, with it?
GEPPETTO (SONG)
Um-uh I...oh.
PINOCCHIO (SONG)
Love it
I love it
Yo dee lo dee lo yo dee lo dee lo
dee dee
Everything is new
Everything is new to me
Yo dee lo dee lo yo dee
Yo dee lo dee lo yo dee
Love it, love it
GEPPETTO (SONG)
Oh dear, oh dear. Well, alright,
alright, that’s enough. That’s
enough. Ohhh. Don’t. Don’t! No! No!
You have to stop!
PINOCCHIO (SONG)
Everything is new to me!
Geppetto stares disgusted at his unholy creation.
Geppetto throws a blanket over Pinocchio- yodelling.
Then nervously runs and pushes Pinocchio- blanket and all-
into a closet.
Closes the closet door. Locks it. Pinocchio BANGS loudly,
trying to escape.
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
That was so much fun, Papa!
GEPPETTO
You’re not my son!
(beat)
What is wrong with you!?
It’s quiet. He stares at the door apprehensively.
PINOCCHIO
I’m sorry.
Geppetto opens the door slowly to look inside.
Pinocchio sits in the corner. A glove is stuck on the end of
25.
his nose. He makes for a ridiculous figure, and for a moment,
Geppetto’s heart begins to soften.
GEPPETTO
I--uh...
(searching for the words)
Just stay here- don’t come out
The CHURCH BELLS ring. Backs away from the door.
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
Time for Church-
Trying to pretend like it’s a normal day, he heads to front
door.
PINOCCHIO
Church?! I wanna go to Church!!
Church!! Church!! Church!!
GEPPETTO
Stay there. You- you understand?
Opens the front door, and closes roughly behind him.
Pinocchio continues to bang on the locked closet door.
PINOCCHIO
Church!! Church!! Church!! Church!
SMASH! Pinocchio BURSTS out of the closet- yelling!!
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
Church!!!
CRICKET
No no. He told you to stay-
PINOCCHIO
(sing song)
I’m going to church, I’m going to
church, I’m going to church!
Pinocchio continues to head towards the door.
CRICKET
No, no, no! Please stop, you must
obey your Papa.
PINOCCHIO
“Obey”?
CRICKET
To do as you are told...
26.
PINOCCHIO
But I don’t want to obey.
CRICKET
Well, you must try your best, and
that’s the best anybody can do.
MUSIC SWELLS as if in the start of a musical number. Cricket
sings oh, ever so briefly with a perfect baritone voice...
CRICKET (CONT’D)
My dear father loved to say---
Pinocchio opens the door, slamming it into the Cricket,
crushing him and cutting off his song.
PINOCCHIO
I’m going to church!! I’m going to
church!!
Pinocchio opens the door and leaves.
CRICKET
Ugggh.
Ratings
Scene 9 - Pinocchio Visits the Fascist Town
The town has changed. POSTERS OF FASCIST PROPAGANDA are
everywhere. Portraits of Mussolini take entire walls.
Pinocchio goes by one that reads: BELIEVE, OBEY, FIGHT. He
waves to the mural.
PINOCCHIO
Hiiiii! Okay, byeeeee!
Some houses are in disrepair- destroyed, abandoned.
Pinocchio-
-hears the bell and sees-
THE TOWN’S CHURCH.
PINOCCHIO
Oooh!
Pinocchio makes some playful noises as he proceeds to hop up
each church step.
27.
Ratings
Scene 10 - Pinocchio Causes Chaos in Church
The Town Priest prepares to bless palms with holy water and
incense. Everybody is singing.
TOWN PRIEST
Ostende nobis, Domine,
misericordiam Tuam.
CONGREGATION
Et salutare Tuum da nobis.
TOWN PRIEST
Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus.
CONGREGATION
Et clamor meus ad Te veniat.
TOWN PRIEST
Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus.
Everyone closes their eyes and clasps hands in prayer.
Pinocchio watches with wonder. Without realizing it, he
wanders down the aisle.
Pinocchio looks at the Christ, backlit by a sun-ray,
majestic... missing an arm.
He catches the eye of CANDLEWICK.
CANDLEWICK
Look- Father- over there- what is
that??
Someone in the crowd screams.
MILLINER
Dio Mio!
PRIEST
Ahh! An abhorration.
PINOCCHIO
Papa! Papa! Over here!
PARISHIONER WOMAN
It speaks!?
TWIN DAUGHTER 1
Avra il Diavolo!
GEPPETTO
Pinocchio!
28.
PINOCCHIO
(runs to Geppetto)
Papa! It’s me! I came to church!
The crowd lets out a collective gasp.
CARNIVAL WORKER #1
It’s a demon!
TWIN DAUGHTER 1
Witchcraft!
WOMAN 2 makes the gesture of the horns to protect herself
from Malocchio, the “evil eye”!
TWIN DAUGHTER 2
Malocchio!!
PINOCCHIO
(correcting her)
Pinocchio!
People are disgusted and terrified, making sign of the cross
on themselves.
GEPPETTO
No!! No!! Please. It’s...It’s a
puppet- To- to entertain!!
Everyone chatters/gossips/argues with each other.
CANDLEWICK
If he’s a puppet, where are his
strings?
The Podestà calmly stands and begins to walk down the aisle.
The crowd continues to murmur.
PODESTÀ
That’s true. Who controls you,
wooden boy?
GEPPETTO
Of course, I control him.
PINOCCHIO
Who controls YOU?
Geppetto picks him up and covers his mouth- but Pinocchio
struggles to escape.
GEPPETTO
(being kicked and hit by
Pinocchio)
(MORE)
29.
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
No one talks to the Podestà like
that.
(awkwardly chuckling)
He- oh, he’s a puppet, just a
puppet.
PINOCCHIO
No, I’m not! I’m made of flesh and
bone and meaty bits!! I’m a real
boy!
His nose grows! People scream again!
MILLINER
Demon!!
TWIN DAUGHTER 2
Arrrrgh!!
TWIN DAUGHTER 1
A monster!!!
OLD WOMAN
Il Diavolo!
GEPPETTO
No, no...no! He’s harmless!!
PODESTÀ'S WIFE
It’s an abomination!
BUTCHER
(Shouting in Italian)
TWIN DAUGHTER 1
This is the work of the Devil!
TOWN PRIEST
ENOUGH! This is a house of God. You
drunken fool! You carving this,
this...thing! While our blessed
Christ hangs unfinished all these
years! Take that unholy thing away!
Take it away! Now!
BUTCHER
(Shouting in Italian)
GEPPETTO
Yes, yes, Padre. Uh-uh-uh sorry,
sorry, sorry, sorry. He’ll be fine.
Geppetto picks Pinocchio up and tries to leave the church!
30.
PARISHIONER WOMAN
Get out!
OLD WOMAN
Shame on you, Geppetto!
FRUIT VENDOR
Burn him!
MILLINER
Chop ‘im up!
BUTCHER
Oh mio dio!
(continues cursing in
Italian)
Candlewick sticks his tongue out at Pinocchio and Pinocchio
responds in kind.
OLD WOMAN
Get out!!
PARISHIONER WOMAN
Curse you, Geppetto!
PODESTÀ'S WIFE
The lord will punish him!
OLD WOMAN
(yelling in Italian)
TWIN DAUGHTER 1
Get out!!!
The church doors slam behind them.
CUT TO:
Ratings
Scene 11 - Geppetto teaches Pinocchio about the consequences of lying
It is raining outside.
Geppetto is filing off the excess nose from Pinocchio.
Pinocchio is fidgeting. And yodeling.
PINOCCHIO
Yo dee lo dee lo yo lee. Hello!
GEPPETTO
Stop fidgeting, please!
(he doesn’t)
31.
Cricket watches from a ledge while tuning a tiny fiddle. He
waves at Pinocchio.
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
Carlo never acted like this.
(sighs)
PINOCCHIO
Papa- Why did my nose grow today?
GEPPETTO
You lied, Pinocchio. And a lie is-
plain to see as your nose... And...
PINOCCHIO
And the more you lie, the more it
grows... Is that it?
Pinocchio extends his finger out from his nose to illustrate.
Geppetto is startled- how does Pinocchio know that??
GEPPETTO
That- yes- that’s it-
A KNOCK on the door. Geppetto goes to answer. Lightning
illuminates: The Town Priest and The Podestà (in Fascist
Regalia). More lightning illuminates:
Candlewick- Glaring menacingly.
The Podestà gives a ROMAN SALUTE!
They all do.
Ratings
Scene 12 - A Puppet's Demands
Geppetto pours his visitors some hot chocolate.
GEPPETTO
There you go.
TOWN PRIEST
Chocolate! Thank you, Geppetto. We
appreciate your hospitality
PODESTÀ
Candlewick, go sit by the fire.
Candlewick obeys.
32.
TOWN PRIEST
We are here to talk about the
incident at the church today. The
community was startled by your
creation...
PODESTÀ
(interrupts)
As Podestà, I must ensure that this
“puppet” of yours poses no threat
to our community?
GEPPETTO
Oh no, no, nothing like that!
PINOCCHIO
Ooh, is that--hot chocolate?
The Podestà stares at Pinocchio with bewilderment.
CANDLEWICK
You’re a puppet. You’ve never eaten
anything in your life!
PINOCCHIO
Oh- oh- That must be why I’m SO
hungry!! Oh, I’m STARVING, Papa!
I’m STARVING to DEATH!
GEPPETTO
You are not. Now go sit by the fire
and let me talk to our guests.
PINOCCHIO
But I don’t want to! I want hot
chocolate! PLEASE, Papa! PLEASE,
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEEEEEASE--
The Town Priest and Podestà exchange shocked looks.
Geppetto quickly pours a cup of chocolate for Pinocchio.
GEPPETTO
There there now- here you go.
PINOCCHIO
Oh boy! Thank you, thank you, thank
you, thank you--
GEPPETTO
Yes, yes- Pinocchio. Go, go warm
your feet by the fire. Obey your
Papa.
33.
PINOCCHIO
Oh, yes! I WILL obey if I get
CHOCOLATE! O’boy, o’boy, o’boy.
Pinocchio goes to the fireplace, spilling hot chocolate as he
goes.
GEPPETTO
(to his guests)
He really is a charming boy.
TOWN PRIEST
Podestà watches over the town’s
moral well being, you understand?
His authority cannot be questioned.
PODESTÀ
That’s right- and I won't be
mocked.
Pinocchio sits down, puts his feet close to the fire and
proceeds to IMITATE CANDLEWICK’s EVERY GESTURE as he sips
chocolate noisily. Candlewick sees this as a challenge.
(As the adults talk, Candlewick and Pinocchio continue their
game of “copy cat”.)
GEPPETTO (O.S.)
I will do just as you wish. You
have my word.
PODESTÀ
So what about this wooden boy? Will
you let him run wild through town
all day?
GEPPETTO
Oh no, no, no, no, no... I- I’ll
keep him- locked up! Right here in
the house.
Pinocchio hears this.
PINOCCHIO
I won’t be locked up! I’ll smash
the windows out, I will!
PODESTÀ
This abnormal boy lacks discipline.
But he seems strong. Sturdy. Made
of good Italian pine.
34.
GEPPETTO (O.S.)
Oh, very good pine, yes. Not
perfect, you see, but uh he...he
means well.
Pinocchio’s game of “copy cat” continues with Candlewick.
CANDLEWICK
(low voice)
Hey, try to get closer to the fire-
to get warm...
PODESTÀ
Son, come here. Look at my boy,
Candlewick.
GEPPETTO
Yes, yes.
(laughs nervously)
Pinocchio gazes at the fire and starts to inch closer.
Meanwhile, Podestà gestures for Candlewick to come closer.
PODESTÀ
A model Fascist Youth: proud and
brave- virile like his father! And
his teeth- perfect teeth. And no
sign of jaundice!!
PINOCCHIO (O.S.)
Papa- Papa- my feet feel hot- like
chocolate- Look!
Geppetto turns: Pinocchio’s legs are on fire!!! He screams.
CRICKET
FIRE!! My house is on fire!!
PINOCCHIO
(excited)
Yes, look at me! Look! I’m on fire!
Yay!
Geppetto screams and grabs the puppet, he dashes back and
forth around the room and finally sinks the legs into a
bucket of water.
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
Awwww, look what you did, Papa! You
ruined the nice light on my feet!
35.
PODESTÀ
This is what you get with an
undisciplined mind. You must send
this child to school!
GEPPETTO
To school?! Pinocchio??!!
PODESTÀ
Yes. Tomorrow.
Cricket watches from above, considering what the Podestà has
said. Perhaps school would be good for the boy.
PINOCCHIO
(intrigued)
School?! Hehe.
Ratings
Scene 13 - A Night of Reflection
It’s raining. Geppetto closes the upstairs window.
GEPPETTO
Oh, what a day... What a day...
PINOCCHIO
(imitating)
Oh, what a day! What a day!!
GEPPETTO
Hahaha. Time for bed.
Geppetto lifts Pinocchio off of his bed and carries him over
to the bed that belonged to Carlo.
PINOCCHIO
You know, Papa? I liked my old
legs! And I liked them on fire!
GEPPETTO
Pinocchio, if you go to sleep- I’ll
make you a new pair of legs in the
morning.
The Cricket pops out and watches as Geppetto tucks him in.
PINOCCHIO
Just like the old ones?
GEPPETTO
(chuckling)
Better than the old ones.
36.
PINOCCHIO
Better!!?? Can I have cricket legs,
Papa? Can you make me four of them?
GEPPETTO
(chuckles softly)
No, no, no, no. Just two...Two will
do.
Geppetto gets into bed.
PINOCCHIO
(to Geppetto)
Good night, Papa...
GEPPETTO
Good night, my--
Goodnight...Pinocchio.
For a moment, it was as if Pinocchio WAS Carlo.
Pinocchio sees the Cricket.
PINOCCHIO
Sebastian-
CRICKET
Yes, Pinocchio?
PINOCCHIO
Who’s Carlo?
CRICKET
Carlo was a boy. Geppetto lost him
many years ago.
PINOCCHIO
Where did he put him? How can you
lose a whole person??
CRICKET
I mean he... he died, Pinocchio.
He’s no longer alive...
PINOCCHIO
Is that a bad thing?
CRICKET
Yes, it’s a great burden for a
father to lose a child so young.
PINOCCHIO
What’s a burden?
37.
CRICKET
It’s something... painful you must
carry, even though it hurts you
very much...
Long beat as Pinocchio closes his eyes...
The Cricket smiles and goes back home.
CRICKET (V.O.)
I wrote a lot that night.
INT. NOOK - SAME
CRICKET
I had so much to say- not about my
own life, for a change, but about
imperfect fathers and imperfect
sons- and about loss- and love.
The Cricket is writing on a small “desk”.
CRICKET (V.O.)
And for that one evening at least,
we were, all of us, blissfully
oblivious.
He intensifies the flame in an oil lamp.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. STREETS / MAIN PLAZA / TOWN - DAWN
Geppetto pulls his cart as they head for the church. A NEW
ARM for the CRUCIFIXION is in tow.
Pinocchio is excited about his new legs. They are in fact,
just badly patched and unremarkable.
PINOCCHIO
You were right, Papa! These legs
are much, much, much, much better
than the old ones!
(beat)
Ha, look at me! I can walk
backwards, hup! And- and- jump
forwards, hup! I couldn’t do it
before!!
Geppetto strains as he pulls his heavy cart- he’s old. He
briefly looks at Pinocchio, smirks, then shakes his head,
rolls his eyes, and continues ignoring the wooden boy.
38.
On a building nearby- a wild, gnarly monkey, SPAZZATURA,
hangs a banner:
“COUNT VOLPE’S MAGNIFICENT MARIONETTES”
Spazzatura hears voices and looks below:
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
Ooooh! Papa! Can you see this? He
looks just like me!
From above, Spazz watches Pinocchio as he goes by. The monkey
is amazed at the sight of the living puppet. Cricket sees
Spazz gazing at Pinocchio and gasps.
CRICKET
What is that?
GEPPETTO (O.S.)
Pinocchio!! C’mon. Hurry up. Hurry
up.
PINOCCHIO
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! I love
these new legs, Papa!!
Pinocchio runs to catch up and jumps back in the cart.
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
Can we go to a carnival?
GEPPETTO
Perhaps, Pinocchio. Perhaps...Right
now we have work to do.
PINOCCHIO
Work! I love work! Papa, what is
work?
GEPPETTO
Oh, Pinocchio, please no more
questions.
They round the corner and head towards the church. Spazz has
been following them the whole time.
Spazz runs away-
Ratings
Scene 14 - Count Volpe's Palace
He runs down the town streets-
And heads for a set of ROMANESQUE ruins-
39.
EXT. ROMANESQUE RUINS - SAME
There, a CARNIVAL is setting up around Count Volpe’s puppet
theater...
There’s a MERRY GO ROUND and COTTON CANDY VENDING CARTS and
ticket booths and the FREAK SHOW cart, and a GIRAFFE, AN
ASTROLOGER’s cart and a--
BARREL MAN
Stupid monkey!
Spazz runs past and under a few of the carts and knocks on
the door of an ornate, beautiful one.
INT. COUNT VOLPE LIVING HEADQUARTERS - SAME
A Baroque paradise of rotting suede and leaf of gold and
garish lamps; somewhat like the church’s red interior.
This is Count Volpe’s Palace. And at its center, in a throne-
like chair sits COUNT VOLPE himself: an elegant, sleek
trickster- SATAN himself-
COUNT VOLPE
(grumbling)
I’m coming!
Full of rage, Volpe kicks open the door with a Tex Avery-like
explosion, knocking Spazz to the ground.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
What is it?! What are you doing
here? I told you to put up posters
and draw big crowds! This carnival
is going to pot! And you! Can you
not see how desperate the situation
is!?
Spazz tries to communicate. Count Volpe lifts his SILVER CANE
threateningly!
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
A... WHAT??
Count Volpe is intrigued.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
A “living puppet”? Are you
absolutely sure?
Spazz continues to gesticulate.
40.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
This could get us to the top again.
This could make us kings again!!!
EXT. CARNIVAL - SAME
As if from nowhere we see Spazz playing a small violin. Count
Volpe begins to sing:
COUNT VOLPE (SONG)
We were a King, once
Can we be king, twice?
We were bathing in milk
Played for diamonds and silk.
Once
But we want it twice!
Volpe prances down the steps and grabs Spazz, spinning and
twirling him, half dance partner, half child’s top.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
My show was a magnet, for the crowd
No one could resist Volpe’s crown.
He bounds out of the puppet wagon.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
Now the little ones
Now the married ones
He hoists up the TWO-HEADED PERFORMER, then hugs the FAT LADY
and MANGIAFUOCCO together.
Volpe steals a magazine from one of the CARNIVAL WORKERS.
CARNIVAL WORKER #3
Hey!
(He trails off, cursing in
Italian)
COUNT VOLPE
Prefer Garbo
Gardel, Valentino
La voce di Caruso
Jazz on the radio
He rips out the pages highlighting the stars of the day. He
tosses them aside one by one.
Volpe ties Spazz to a bunch of balloons and releases them in
the air. He grabs a rifle from the shooting gallery and
shoots them down before he floats away.
41.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
You were the Kings, once
Mon Dieu was it, nice!
You were knights of the night
Full of glory and might
Once
So let’s get it twice!
Volpe and Spazz stick their heads through holes and pose in a
large carnival cutout board.
Volpe leaps from post to post as the CARNIVAL WORKERS hammer
them in.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
Believe in you!
Believe in me!
Song ends.
The bells of the church ring the MATINALE.
Ratings
Scene 15 - Pinocchio Goes to School and Receives a Gift from Geppetto
GEPPETTO
Now let it down. More. That’s it,
that’s it. Just a little
more...Stop.
Geppetto assembles the arm of Christ and then descends on the
rope to an expecting Pinocchio.
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
There we go. Ahh, very good, child!
Very good!
He goes to his toolbox.
PINOCCHIO
Papa- there’s something I don’t
understand...
GEPPETTO
What is it, Pinocchio?
PINOCCHIO
Everybody likes him.
GEPPETTO
Who?
Pinocchio points at the Christ.
42.
PINOCCHIO
Him. They were all singing to him-
(beat)
He’s made of wood too... Why do
they like him and not me?
Geppetto is touched by Pinocchio’s innocence.
GEPPETTO
Come here, Pinocchio. People are
sometimes afraid of things they
don’t know- but they’ll get to know
you- and like you. And- and for
that...
(beat)
Are you ready for school?
Pinocchio nods excitedly.
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
Then, I have something I’d like to
give you. Ta-da!
Geppetto reveals a schoolbook. It is CARLO’S old book: the
name “CARLO” emblazoned on the front.
PINOCCHIO
I love it, Papa! I love it! I love
it!
Pinocchio is overwhelmed with joy.
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
What is it?
GEPPETTO
It is a schoolbook... a very
special schoolbook, one which
belonged to a very special boy...
PINOCCHIO
Carlo? The boy you lost?
Geppetto nods.
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
Was he a very good boy, Papa?
GEPPETTO
Yes, he was.
PINOCCHIO
...And you loved him very much?
43.
GEPPETTO
I did... I, I do.
Pinocchio embraces Geppetto- it is a simple but desperate hug-
immensely moving. True gratitude, the way only a child can
dispense it.
PINOCCHIO
Then I will be just like Carlo! I
will obey and go to school, and I
will be the very, very, best at
whatever they do there! I’ll make
you proud!
Pinocchio promptly turns and marches out of the church.
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
Off to school, off to school. Going
to school. Going to school. Off to
school...
Geppetto chuckles and smiles tenderly as they march off.
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
Hup! Hup! Hup! Hup!...
EXT. MAIN PLAZA - DAY
Pinocchio steps out of the church...
Count Volpe and Spazz are hovering in the shadows. Eyes
glinting.
COUNT VOLPE
He exists! Oh, the stringless
wonder exists! You beautiful,
brilliant baboon!!! I must have
him!!
Ratings
Scene 16 - Pinocchio Gets Caught Up in the Carnival
Pinocchio runs excitedly through town, towards the school. A
GROUP of KIDS in fascist uniforms pass them by - SINGING A
FASCIST HYMN!!
KID/S
I fight for the land!
I fight for our sea!
I can feel a hand-
It is now guiding me-
Pinocchio heads towards them.
44.
PINOCCHIO
Whoa! Off to school! Off to
school!! Going to school, going to
school.
(he leaps down the stairs)
School! Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!
What do you learn in school, Mr.
Cricket?
CRICKET
You learn reading and writing! You-
you learn the multiplication
tables!
PINOCCHIO
What’s the mul...mulplitication
tables?
CRICKET
Well... Say you have 4 carts, each
with 27 apples...
PINOCCHIO
I don’t care what the table says; I
have no apples and I refuse to lie!
CRICKET
No no, it’s just math. So you
multiply the 4 and the 7. 4...plus
7... and-- and you get...
PINOCCHIO
I get confused. I don’t think I
like school anymore, Sebastian.
COUNT VOLPE
Ahhh, we have found him! Look,
Spazzatura! Our miracle!
Volpe grabs Pinocchio by the nose and gives him a gentle
twirl.
PINOCCHIO
Hey, watch it!
COUNT VOLPE
Our sensation! Our star!
PINOCCHIO
Who? Me?
COUNT VOLPE
Yes, mon étoile! I am COUNT VOLPE!!
You have been chosen!
(MORE)
45.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
Come partake in the fun, fanciful,
carefree carnival life as the star
of my puppet show!
Cricket climbs up onto Pinocchio’s shoulder.
CRICKET
Don’t listen to him, Pinocchio! You
promised your Papa you would go to
school!
PINOCCHIO
Oh yeah, I promised my Papa I’d go
to school. See? He gave me Carlo’s
book!
Pinocchio holds up his book with pride. Count Volpe gently
takes it and mockingly admires it.
COUNT VOLPE
CARLO’S book! Yes, yes! A classical
canonical work!!
Count Volpe tosses the book to Spazz, who is not ready for
it. It hits him just as he is about to pounce on Cricket.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
I can see you are intrinsically an
intellectual. But banal book-
learning cannot compare to
witnessing the wide world with
one’s own eyes from atop the
glorious stage!
Volpe lifts Pinocchio up, spinning him around. This causes
Cricket to be thrown off him and onto the ground. Volpe
places Pinocchio on a ledge overlooking the entire town.
PINOCCHIO
Wow...
Spazz takes this opportunity to try and crush Cricket with
the book. He narrowly misses.
CRICKET
Ahh! Wha! Gahh! Whoa! Dear sir!!!
COUNT VOLPE
You shall see ALL the nations of
the earth for yourself as they bow
at your feet!
PINOCCHIO
My brand new feet!
46.
CRICKET
No! No! Wait! You have to go to
school!
PINOCCHIO
Oh- Can we do it tomorrow?
COUNT VOLPE
Regretfully no, for today is the
only day that our cacophonous
carnival will visit your vicinity.
But if you must go to school, then
you must go to school...
They move away.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
Come, Spazzatura... we must find
someone else to eat all our ice
cream and popcorn and hot
chocolate...
PINOCCHIO
Hot chocolate??
CRICKET
Oh no.
Spazz lunges at Cricket, but he again manages to avoid him.
COUNT VOLPE
Yes, of course. All the hot
chocolate you can drink! And all
the games you can play!
PINOCCHIO
Oh, boy! Oh, boy! Maybe it’ll be
okay if I’m a little bit late for
school...
COUNT VOLPE
Yeah, perfectly fine! No one will
even notice!
Cricket jumps up and down, desperate to get Pinocchio’s
attention.
CRICKET
Don’t listen to him Pinocchio! Wah!
COUNT VOLPE
(smacking Cricket away)
Ah, we have one last detail to take
care of.
47.
He produces a LONG, LOOOOONG contract- which strikes Cricket
as it unfurls, knocking him down the stairs.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
Sign, here- here and here. Need a
pen?
CRICKET
No, Pinocchio, don’t!!!
Spazz crushes Sebastian with the book. He cackles with glee.
PINOCCHIO
Like this?
COUNT VOLPE
(signs his own name too)
Perfect!! I will now make you burn
bright like a star! Know any songs,
my boy?
They practically scoop Pinocchio off the ground as they push
him along towards the carnival.
PINOCCHIO
Just one, I’ve got it stuck in my
head.
Spazz takes a last look at Pinocchio’s school book and tosses
it on the ground.
The Cricket lies on the floor: a HEAP.
CRICKET
Oh, the pain! Life is such hideous
pain!
DISSOLVE TO:
Ratings
Scene 17 - Pinocchio's Temptation
Later in the day.
Geppetto is just finishing up painting the crucifix. He’s on
his way down, beginning to pack up when:
PODESTÀ
Master Geppetto, would you mind
coming down?
The Podestà enters with the Town Priest.
48.
TOWN PRIEST
Ah! At last, our savior is
restored!
The Podestà does a Roman salute. Geppetto responds,
halfheartedly. In doing so he accidentally tosses his
paintbrush, which lands with a splatter at The Podestà’s
feet. The Podestà turns cold. Scary.
GEPPETTO
Oh- I- I’m so sorry.
PODESTÀ
Your boy- didn’t show up at school
today...
GEPPETTO
But- he left this morning. I...I
sent him there.
PODESTÀ
Obviously, the puppet is quite a
dissident. An independent thinker-
I’d say...
GEPPETTO
Um...uh...uhh...yes.
PODESTÀ
You better look for him. I trust
that we’ll see the wooden boy
tomorrow, at school.
GEPPETTO
Tomorrow, oh yes, yes- of course.
They exit, leaving Geppetto alone.
EXT. CARNIVAL - DUSK
We see the carnival now fully set up. A crowd of people play
at the High Striker, swinging a hammer to test their
strength.
INT. BACKSTAGE PUPPET THEATRE - DUSK
Pinocchio sits backstage, surrounded by POPCORN, SWEETS and
ICE CREAM- HOT CHOCOLATE after a grand day at the carnival.
He is accompanied by 3 fellow puppets: DEVIL, COLUMBINA and
PUNCHINELLO. They are all controlled by Spazz from up above.
49.
We hear VOICES from the puppets, as Pinocchio hears them,
even though Spazz is doing the puppeteering.
PINOCCHIO
Boy! The carnival sure is grand!
Devil offers him some more treats.
SPAZZATURA (AS DEVIL PUPPET)
How ‘bout some more popcorn!
Ehehehehe.
PINOCCHIO
Oh, I couldn’t eat another bite,
Mr. Diavolo!
SPAZZATURA (AS DEVIL PUPPET)
(indecipherable monkey
noises)
Pinocchio takes the popcorn and eats it.
PINOCCHIO
(to puppets)
Ughh, I better get going to school
I guess...
SPAZZATURA (AS COLUMBINA)
Stay a while, Pinocchio.
Count Volpe enters.
COUNT VOLPE
A-ha, I am sorry to keep you
waiting, my little puppet!
PINOCCHIO
I don’t like being called a puppet.
Count Volpe starts tying string on Pinocchio’s arms and
legs...
COUNT VOLPE
My boy, puppets are le meilleur qui
soit! The TOPS! Lift your arm.
Puppets are well respected in every
station of life!
PINOCCHIO
But I thought it was best to be a
normal boy.
COUNT VOLPE
Oh, no no NO! People love puppets!!
50.
Spazz manipulates all puppets to attention.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
Like Il Diavolo. Columbina.
Punchinello.
(beat)
But of course there is but one
puppet who is KING of them all...
PINOCCHIO
Oh, boy, I’d like to meet that guy!
COUNT VOLPE
Pinocchio!
PINOCCHIO
Wait?!! That’s ME!
COUNT VOLPE
That’s right! You are a wonder! A
miracle! They’ll love you!
PINOCCHIO
Who?
COUNT VOLPE
Les Idiots! The wonderful children
of the world! Lift your leg.
Everyone shall love you and call
your name! Pinocchio! Pinocchio!
Pinocchio...
As Volpe whisks Pinocchio away, Spazz gets pulled down from
the rafters by the still-attached strings. He hits the ground
hard, letting out an audible grunt of pain.
Ratings
Scene 18 - Pinocchio performs at the carnival
COUNT VOLPE (O.S.)
Pinocchio!! The living puppet!
Count Volpe opens the curtains to reveal Pinocchio.
He hangs from his strings, limp and inert.
Scant applause. The audience is cautiously curious.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
Violà!
He sees the crowds confusion.
51.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
Ohhh?
He hums merrily. Count Volpe brandishes his sword and slices
Pinocchio’s strings.
Pinocchio collapses to the ground, a pile of wood and
strings.
The audience gasps.
Count Volpe takes a VIOLIN and starts the melody of “My Son”.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
A one, and a two, and...
Suddenly Pinocchio springs to life. He taps the stage with
his foot. Slowly he starts discovering a little tap dance;
knocking his body parts together to make a rhythm.
PINOCCHIO (SONG)
My gum...My gum
I pop my bubble gum
I scream, I cry
For ice cream and for pie.
The audience Aaaah’s and claps vehemently. Pinocchio starts
having fun on stage!
EXT. PERIPHERY STREETS - EDGE OF TOWN - NIGHT
Geppetto looks for Pinocchio with the aid of an oil lamp.
GEPPETTO
Pinocchio!!! Pinocchio!!!
Pinocchio!!!
He finds the mangled, torn book of Carlo on the road.
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
No- Carlo’s book? What?
He picks it up and brushes it clean revealing the Cricket
still crushed underneath.
CRICKET
Over there!
Geppetto looks in the direction Cricket has pointed and sees
the lights of the carnival off in the distance. He can just
make out the faint trace of Pinocchio, singing something
strangely familiar.
52.
GEPPETTO
That song...How could he know that
song?
Geppetto takes off running, accidentally stepping on Cricket
and crushing him once again.
CRICKET
Ugh, one nightmare after another.
INT. CARNIVAL - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
Geppetto enters the carnival grounds.
He hears the song “My Son” coming from afar.
He heads towards the tent it appears to be coming from and
enters.
There stands Pinocchio on stage.
INT. PUPPET STAGE - NIGHT
Big finale.
PINOCCHIO (SONG)
You are everything to me
And I love you
My gum... My gum
I pop my bubble gum
What a treat, I’m standing on my
feet
I’m free as the wind
Oh I’m flying,
Bubbling
Popping
Tapping
Gumming
Your son...
PUPPET CHORUS (SONG)
Pop a bubble gum
PINOCCHIO
Your son
PUPPET CHORUS (SONG)
Pop a bubble gum
PINOCCHIO (SONG)
Is happy to have
53.
PUPPET CHORUS (SONG)
Pop a bubble gum
Pop a bubble gum
PINOCCHIO (SONG)
Fun!
Song ends.
Then HUGE OVATION. The audience loves him!!! Count Volpe’s
eyes light up.
Pinocchio bows to everybody! Count Volpe steps in front of
him.
INT. PUPPET SHOW - NIGHT
COUNT VOLPE
Thanks! Thank you! Thank you! And
all those treats are for sale at
the carnival. Thank you!
Money pours into Count Volpe’s collection box!!!
Geppetto arrives amidst the rapturous applause and showering
of money.
GEPPETTO
Pinocchio, what’s all this?? What
are you doing?
PINOCCHIO
Papa! I’m a star, Papa! A star!
They love me! They accept me!
Geppetto swats away one of the many young fans that grasps at
both him and Pinocchio.
GEPPETTO
(grunted)
Oh, what do you...?
Geppetto scoops him up him and starts walking away.
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
Errr--Enough of this nonsense! You
were supposed to be at school. And
how do you know that song anyway?
Count Volpe continues relishing in the crowd’s applause,
unaware that his star performer is GONE.
54.
Spazz tries to warn him, but Count Volpe is busy collecting
money.
COUNT VOLPE
You simian simpleton!
He finally realizes Pinocchio is gone. He grabs Spazz by the
neck and squeezes him!!
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
My star! Where is my star??!!
Ratings
Scene 19 - Pinocchio's Betrayal
Pinocchio walks away, hand in hand with Geppetto. The crowd
of children follow.
GEPPETTO
You ruined Carlo’s book! And...and
you didn’t go to school- Why? You
promised me you would behave!!
Like...like...like...
PINOCCHIO
Carlo.
GEPPETTO
Yes.
PINOCCHIO
I was going to, Papa- but- but-
Geppetto stops by the road. A truck goes by.
GEPPETTO
Yes, Pinocchio, what?
PINOCCHIO
Ten bandits came out of the bushes
and took-
His nose starts to grow. A small crowd of KIDS has begun to
gather. They clap and applaud, thinking this is still part of
the performance.
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
They came out of the bushes and
they- they took the book-
It grows again.
55.
GEPPETTO
Oh, oh I see. And then what
happened?
PINOCCHIO
They had an axe and they- they
wanted- they wanted chocolate- hot
chocolate-
His nose grows some more.
GEPPETTO
Pinocchio- you shouldn’t lie to
me!! I am your Papa!!
PINOCCHIO
But I’m telling the truth!!
Nose grows. Crowd grows. The FREAKS, circus performers and
general public gather around.
GEPPETTO
Then why is your nose growing?
PINOCCHIO
It’s NOT!!
Pinocchio’s nose grows so long that it branches out.
GEPPETTO
Lies, lies, and more lies!
PINOCCHIO
(screaming)
I! AM NOT! LYIIIIIIIING!!!!!
Branches bloom with needles and pine cones. The GAWKERS
applaud!!!
GEPPETTO
Will you look at you!
(to the crowd)
Go away! This is not a
spectacle!!!
COUNT VOLPE
BUT IT IS! Unhand my Carissimo, you
carousing...
(spitting out leaves)
kleptomaniac-
He grabs Pinocchio by one arm and Geppetto holds him by the
other.
56.
GEPPETTO
Do not touch him! I made him!
COUNT VOLPE
And I discovered him!
Crowd murmurs, watching the tug of war.
GEPPETTO
He’s not your puppet, he’s mine!!
CRICKET
(interrupting)
Perhaps we should...
COUNT VOLPE
Oh, he is neither! He’s an actor.
MY actor!!
A TRUCK approaches as they start a contest of wills, pushing
and pulling on Pinocchio until-
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
Give him to me!
GEPPETTO
Never!
Geppetto pulls one final time-
-and Count Volpe lets go!! Pinocchio (nose in full bloom)
ricochets away and finds himself in the path of the truck.
CRICKET
Oh, dear-
PINOCCHIO
Haha! That was so much fun, Papa!
GEPPETTO
No!
It hits him- square on. Flower petals fly everywhere.
He lands on the ground- nose broken back to normal.
Out of the truck climb the Podestà, his Wife, and Candlewick.
PODESTÀ'S WIFE
(softly)
Oh no.
GEPPETTO
Pinocchio!
57.
PODESTÀ
He came out of nowhere! T-that’s
what happens when you let children
run wild!
Pinocchio lies on the road. Everyone approaches his body.
PINE NEEDLES FALL GENTLY on the immobile puppet.
The Cricket looks at him mournfully.
CRICKET (V.O.)
Pinocchio was dead. That much was
apparent to any astute observer...
but, little did I know, that death
was not the end.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
Ratings
Scene 20 - Pinocchio Goes to Limbo
BLACK RABBITS carry Pinocchio in a coffin. They ascend a
circular mound in the darkness.
RABBITS IN CHORUS
Thou art gone- Thy life hast fled
All shall now bewail thee dead.
The coffin top begins to rattle.
RABBIT 1
Did you hear that?
PINOCCHIO
(gasps)
Who's there?!
RABBIT 3
I thought he was dead?
RABBIT 1
He is dead! I saw the paperwork
myself.
PINOCCHIO
Hello? I'm not dead!
They climb higher and higher.
58.
As they sing, they hear noises coming from inside. They try
to ignore it.
RABBITS IN CHORUS
No more flesh
And no more bone
No more trouble
To bemoan.
INT. LIMBO ANTEROOM
They reach what looks like a bureaucratic office with a
modest card table, four chairs, filing cabinets, a punch
clock and a coffee maker.
All the Rabbits punch the clock.
Pinocchio still in coffin, peeks out to see what’s happening.
Listening to muzak, the Rabbits have sat down to pick up
their poker game.
RABBIT 3
Alright... eh, so where were we?
RABBIT 1
Who's deal?
RABBIT 4
It's my deal, right?
RABBIT 1
Alright boys, ante up!
RABBIT 3
What's the limit again?
RABBIT 2
20's the limit, ya mook.
RABBIT 1 (O.S.)
You got something under there,
don't ya?
RABBIT 2
Not me.
RABBIT 3 (O.S.)
Probably has a leibedik 6.
RABBIT 4 (O.S.)
Hahaha, very funny.
59.
At this Pinocchio slowly emerges from the coffin, curious.
PINOCCHIO
(gasping)
Are you playing a game? Can I play?
I wanna play.
RABBIT 4
Flush! HehHehHeh.
He takes the chips.
All the other Rabbits groan.
Pan to reveal Pinocchio standing next to them.
PINOCCHIO
I wanna play! Please, please,
please!!! Can I play!?
RABBIT 3
What part of dead don't you
understand, schmendrik?
PINOCCHIO
It’s boring in there! I hate being
dead!
A LIGHT begins flashing!!
RABBIT 1
Uh-oh- Now you did it.
PINOCCHIO
What’s that?
RABBIT 4
Processing. Go see the boss, kid.
Through there- you’ll see her.
Pinocchio heads towards a large ornate door on the other side
of the room. The Rabbits return to their poker game.
RABBIT 1
Gimme a friggin’ ace!
RABBIT 2
(laughs)
Pinocchio opens the door and enters.
60.
Ratings
Scene 21 - Pinocchio Meets Death
It’s all dark.
PINOCCHIO
Hello? Hello?
Two headlamp-like eyes open and illuminate the darkness-
-they cast their light on Pinocchio.
DEATH
Who are you? I feel as though
you’ve been here before.
PINOCCHIO
I am Pinocchio. I’m a boy... and I
think I’m... dead.
DEATH
Ah, yes, I see. The wooden
boy...with the borrowed soul. My
sister’s folly.
Light fades slowly, revealing a beautiful Sphinx with a
silver mask identical to the Wood Sprite’s (Again, subtly
reminiscent of Carlo’s mother’s face). This is DEATH.
DEATH (CONT’D)
The sentimental fool. She gave you
life, Pinocchio- when you were not
supposed to have it- NO more than a
chair or a table should. As a
result... You cannot truly- truly-
die...
PINOCCHIO
Oh, boy, oh, boy- And...and that’s
GOOD, right?!
DEATH
Well- it means that you are not-
nor will ever be- a real boy like
Carlo.
(beat)
The one thing that makes human life
precious and meaningful, you see,
is death.
Death reaches down and grabs a handful of sand.
PINOCCHIO
Oh...
61.
DEATH
Don’t get me wrong- you will die
many, many times-
She lets it flow through her fingers.
She taps the plinth she lays upon, activating a set of
increasingly large hourglasses.
DEATH (CONT’D)
(clears throat)
This being one of them. But they
are not REAL deaths. Just waiting
periods. There are rules, you see,
despite my sister’s disregard for
them.
She sets down the first one- a tiny hourglass.
DEATH (CONT’D)
We will both have to wait for the
sand to run out.
(beat)
You will stay here, with me, a
little longer each time you cross-
until the end of time.
The sand has almost run out.
PINOCCHIO
And then? After that sand runs out?
DEATH
I will simply send you back. Every
time.
PINOCCHIO
I see. Well, in that case, I’d like
to ask you ONE thing--
Ahhhhhhh!
THE TIMER RUNS OUT.
DEATH
See you next time.
A black hole opens under Pinocchio and he falls down.
Ratings
Scene 22 - Pinocchio's Resurrection
Pinocchio lies on a table. The DOCTOR examines his chest,
looking for a heartbeat.
62.
Everyone waits around: Count Volpe, Geppetto, the Podestà,
Candlewick, Spazz, Podestà’s Wife, etc.
DOCTOR
No- No-
CRICKET
Oh, Pinocchio.
DOCTOR
(looks for a pulse again)
Niente-
Sebastian watches nervously from above.
DOCTOR (CONT’D)
There’s not much we can do. I’m
afraid: The body is rigid.
GEPPETTO
But he’s always been rigid! He’s
made of wood!!
COUNT VOLPE
Even if he’s dead- I could still
book him...
GEPPETTO
How dare you, sir? Show some
respect!!
COUNT VOLPE
YOU show respect! To me and my
projected quarterly earnings!
PODESTÀ
Gentleman, please. This is no time
for your petty grievances.
Spazz mocks the Podestà.
The Town Priest says a prayer and throws holy water on
Pinocchio.
DOCTOR
How do you intend to dispose of the
dead body?
PINOCCHIO
A dead body? Where?
THEY ALL TURN!!! The women gasp in fright.
63.
GEPPETTO
Pinocchio! You’re alive!!
PODESTÀ
(interrupts)
He is immortal!!
COUNT VOLPE
Long live the arts!!
PODESTÀ’S WIFE/DOCTOR’S WIFE
(crossing themselves)
It’s a miracle!!!
PINOCCHIO climbs down. Staggers a bit. Geppetto steadies him.
GEPPETTO
Take it easy, my child. Lean on me.
We- we are going home!!
COUNT VOLPE
Eheheh, wait a moment!! I have a
legally binding contract!!
He produces his LONG LOOOONG contract.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
Signed by both artist and
management.
Geppetto stares at the signatures with bewilderment.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
He either performs or you owe me-
ten million lira!!
GEPPETTO
Well, that’s ridiculous!! It’s just
a smiling sun!!
COUNT VOLPE
It’s still his signature, is it
not??!!
PINOCCHIO
I drew that!!
Spazzatura chuckles manically.
COUNT VOLPE
A-ha! I demand full restitution
before the law!! Including
transportation, transmutation, all
the future representation...
64.
The Podestà pushes in to get to Pinocchio!!
PODESTÀ
Our country comes first! This boy
cannot be killed!! He is the ideal
soldier!! He must be drafted into
the youth camps- by law!!
He salutes, everybody salutes (two or three times).
PODESTÀ (CONT’D)
(to Pinocchio)
You will learn to fight and fire a
weapon and be a real Italian boy!
GEPPETTO
We...we must go- we truly must go.
We will all speak later, I am
sure!!
COUNT VOLPE
Not to me, sir!! Speak to my
lawyers!!
Ratings
Scene 23 - Pinocchio's Plan
Geppetto and Pinocchio walk through the woods. Geppetto is
cold, clutching/rubbing his arms, Pinocchio entirely
unbothered by the frosty night air.
GEPPETTO
(heartbroken)
What a day, what a day...
PINOCCHIO
A fun day!
GEPPETTO
What will we do??
PINOCCHIO
Oh, don’t worry, Papa! I’ll go to
war! It sounds quite fun! I can
learn to fight and- and fire a
weapon and- march like -
GEPPETTO
(on verge of tears)
No, Pinocchio, war is not fun! War
is not good! War... war took Carlo
away from me...
65.
PINOCCHIO
Then I simply won’t go!
GEPPETTO
(getting frustrated)
But you HAVE to go now. It’s the
law!
PINOCCHIO
Even when it’s something bad?
GEPPETTO
Yes, we ALL have to obey the law,
whether we like it or not!!
PINOCCHIO
Why?
GEPPETTO
I...I don’t have time- or patience
enough to explain that to you.
I...I owe that man a fortune
and...and you, you will be taken
far away and recruited into
military youth camps, and
now...now, now look what you’ve
turned me into. I made you to be
like Carlo! Why can’t you be more
like Carlo?!
Geppetto is spent, exhausted- his eyes tear-stained.
Pinocchio blubbers, understandably heartbroken.
PINOCCHIO
Because I’m NOT Carlo! I don’t
wanna be like Carlo! Carlo is...
GEPPETTO
Enough!!!
(beat)
You are such a burden.
Geppetto shakes his head, defeated.
He walks away, saddened. Pinocchio stays behind. He is
crushed.
Cricket, who has just caught up with them, stares sadly at
Pinocchio, heartbroken for the boy.
Geppetto keeps walking, tear-stained.
FADE OUT / IN:
66.
INT. GEPPETTO BEDROOM - NIGHT
Geppetto is sound asleep. Pinocchio lies awake. Tossing and
turning in his bed. A tear rolls down his cheek. He looks
longingly at his father.
PINOCCHIO
(to himself)
His nose didn’t grow.
CRICKET
What’s that?
PINOCCHIO
When he called me a burden- his
nose didn’t grow. That’s how he
really feels...
(sniffs)
I don’t want to be a burden... I
don’t want to hurt Papa and make
him want to yell at me like that...
CRICKET
Oh, Pinocchio- sometimes fathers
feel despair- like everybody else-
and they say things- things they
only THINK they mean in the moment.
But with time they learn that- that
they never really meant it at all.
Do you understand?
PINOCCHIO
(Excited gasp!)
Pinocchio leaps out of bed.
CRICKET
Hey! Hey! Where are you going?
CUT TO:
INT. GEPPETTO’S WORKSHOP - NIGHT
Pinocchio is excitedly climbing down the steps.
PINOCCHIO
I’ve got a plan!
CRICKET
Pinocchio, what-- what are you
doing?
67.
PINOCCHIO
You’ll see. I am going to the
carnival! That way I can help Papa
AND I won’t go to war!
He leans on Geppetto’s WORK TABLE and pulls a pencil and a
piece of paper. The Cricket jumps onto the desk.
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
I’ll leave him a note, explaining
everything.
CRICKET
No, Pinocchio- don’t do this!!
Pinocchio draws a SMILING/LAUGHING SUN. The Cricket smiles.
CRICKET (CONT’D)
Aw- that’s-
SLAM!! Pinocchio puts an upside glass and a heavy hammer on
top- the Cricket is trapped!!
CRICKET (CONT’D)
No! No!--
No! No! Don’t do this!
PINOCCHIO
You tell him, that I will send him
money. And tell him, I love him-
and I won’t be a burden anymore...
Through the distorted glass, the Cricket sees Pinocchio
leaving!!
CRICKET
No!!!
He starts pushing the glass with all his might- moves it
nearer and nearer to the edge of the table.
CUT TO:
Ratings
Scene 24 - Pinocchio Runs Away
Cold winds blow as Pinocchio knocks on Count Volpe’s door.
Footsteps are heard- cursing and then the door pops open.
Count Volpe- sword in hand- half-awake!!
COUNT VOLPE
What is that!! What do you want in
the middle of the-
(MORE)
68.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
(sees Pinocchio)
My beloved star!!! How can I be of
assistance??
PINOCCHIO
(shivering)
If I work for you- will you forget
the money you want from my Papa?
Spazzatura peeks from behind Count Volpe’s legs, jealous!
COUNT VOLPE
Oh, absolutely, my dear boy!
PINOCCHIO
And will you send him my share of
the profits??
COUNT VOLPE
HehHeh, clear accounting all the
way!! Fifty-fifty right down the
middle!!
Volpe draws a line in the sand.
They shake hands, vigorously.
SPAZZATURA BARES HIS TEETH to Pinocchio.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
Everybody up!!!!
Lights turn on in every caravan!!
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
We’re leaving!!!
INT. GEPPETTO WORKSHOP - SAME
The Cricket manages to push the glass and now there is an
opening.
He maneuvers himself out of the glass- The fall is enormous,
but he will brave it.
But the glass tilts and falls, bringing the Cricket down with
it!!
They crash on the floor below!! And the HAMMER follows.
CRICKET
Ahhh...
69.
The hammer just misses him. Cricket is alive!
Cricket starts to walk away, but the hammer teeters.
It falls and crushes him!
CRICKET (CONT’D)
The pain- ughh...
CUT TO:
INT. GEPPETTO BEDROOM - MORNING
Next morning. Geppetto wakes in bed, groggy. He puts on his
glasses and looks to Pinocchio’s bed.
GEPPETTO
Pinocchio- Son- I just wanted to
say...
The bed is empty. A moment of regret. Dread...
INT. WORKSHOP - MORNING
Geppetto walks down the stairs.
Pinocchio isn’t there.
GEPPETTO
Pinocchio?
Geppetto looks under workbench, etc.
Finds the Cricket and the broken glass.
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
Oh, little Cricket...
Geppetto reaches down and gently picks him up.
Geppetto’s eyes discover the handwritten note with crudely
drawn SMILING SUN FACE.
CRICKET
(coming to)
He’s gone...to the carnival!
CUT TO:
70.
EXT. ITALIAN COUNTRYSIDE / RUINS - MORNING
Geppetto rushes through the outskirts of TOWN. DESPERATE!
Rushing towards the carnival.
Geppeto arrives:
The lot is now vacant: cars and trucks are gone- ground is
crisscrossed by the tire tracks.
Geppetto looks around, in terror.
GEPPETTO
Pinocchio!! Pinocchio!! Pinocchio!!
Oh- oh- How will I ever find
him??!!
CRICKET
Oh, now you want to find him. After
all the things you said? After you
called him a burden. A burden!? Why
are you so blind? So, absolutely
blind? The boy loves you- he has
much to learn, but he loves you for
who you are. Would it kill you to
do as much for him?? You should
start acting like a father- a real
father. Not an old, stubborn goat-
who is so busy moaning and crying
about his losses- me, me, me, poor
me- that he cannot see the love he
actually HAS.
GEPPETTO
It’s a schedule...
(exhales)
CRICKET
I may be a bug, sir- but I have a
thing or two to teach you
about...Hey!! Where are you going?
Geppetto has picked up a flyer of-
-COUNT VOLPE’s MARVELOUS MARIONETTES!! On it are the dates
and locations of the upcoming shows.
GEPPETTO
After my son!
He dashes off, waving the flyer excitedly.
71.
CRICKET
Excuse me- If I may- Perhaps we
should- Wait!!
Cricket follows.
CUT TO:
MUSICAL MONTAGE
Ratings
Scene 25 - Pinocchio's Journey Continues
A SWEET VOICE RISES in the soundtrack, Pinocchio singing a
PURE, ITALIAN HYMN!! Music carries over the next scene.
PINOCCHIO
Ciao Papa
Mio Papa
Time has come to say farewell
For how long will I go? Is it far?
No one knows, no one can tell
Geppetto tries to hitch a ride on a country road.
A sign nearby reads ALLESANDRIA - 50km
A truck speeds by, not slowing down.
GEPPETTO
Wait! Wait! Wait!!
INT. COUNT VOLPE’S THEATRE - NIGHT
Pinocchio is on stage, singing to the crowd.
PINOCCHIO
If I am gone for a long, long,
time,
I’ll pack away a fine piece of
shine,
The sound of birds chirping with
bells,
Drawings of plums, two bags of
shells,
The smell of bread, a drop of wine,
Your memory, father of mine.
Farewell
My Papa
CUT TO:
72.
INT. TRUCK - DUSK
Volpe, Pinocchio and Spazz drive to the next town. Pinocchio
looks at a map, tracking their progress.
INT. COUNT VOLPE’S THEATRE - NIGHT
Pinocchio dances around on stage with Columbina.
Spazz looks down at the scene with disdain.
Pinocchio happily signs autographs after the show, while
Volpe collects money from the crowd.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT: FAIRGROUNDS - MORNING
A coin lies buried in the dirt.
Geppetto reaches down and picks it up, brushing it off.
He looks around at the now empty area. He has just missed the
carnival.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ROAD - DAY
Pinocchio looks out the window and waves to a crowd of fans
below from the caravan.
CUT TO:
EXT. COUNT VOLPE’S THEATRE - NIGHT
Pinocchio on stage singing.
PINOCCHIO
Ciao Papa
Mio Papa
Time has come to say farewell
I am ready to go. Going far.
Now I know it will be swell
Spazz glares at him from behind a curtain. Jealous.
CUT TO:
73.
INT. TRAIN - NIGHT
Geppetto and Cricket ride a train to the next town. Cricket
wipes the fog from the window so he can look out. Geppetto
studies a map, then stares out into the distance as well.
CUT TO:
INT. PUPPET WAGON - DAY
Pinocchio stares wistfully out the window as they travel to
the next town.
Volpe sits drinking his tea. He offers a sort of “cheers” in
Pinocchio’s direction.
PINOCCHIO
I shall be gone for a long, long,
time,
Shall be picking many peaks to
climb
Maybe I’ll see a camel cry.
Dangerous pirates with a black eye
Rain or shine, I’ll keep in my mind
Your memory, father of mine.
Farewell
My Papa
DISSOLVES BETWEEN POINT IN A MAP. SIGNALING THE JOURNEY-
THROUGHOUT THE MONTAGE.
CUTAWAY TO:
EXT. URBAN SETTING - DAY
A city somewhere. A FATHER and SON gaze enthusiastically at a
poster on the wall. Pinocchio and Count Volpe are prominently
featured.
Behind them, Spazz pastes the same poster on a wall with his
tail.
Pinocchio is supposed to be helping him but just gazes sadly
at the father and son instead.
We FADE from the poster image of Pinocchio to:
EXT. URBAN SETTING - NIGHT
Pouring rain.
74.
Geppetto stares at that same poster some time later.
It is now faded and torn, partially covered by new posters.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. COUNT VOLPE’S THEATRE - NIGHT
Pinocchio, performing. The crowd throws flowers on the stage
as the curtains close.
Volpe stands in the wings, enthralled.
Spazz watches them from the catwalk above. He throws the
cross braces in disgust.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. FORREST - DAY
Geppetto trudges along and comes across a pine cone.
He picks it up holding it in his hands.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - NIGHT
Pinocchio holds a pine cone in his hands.
He sits on the steel girders of a power line tower.
Far off in the distance the faint sound of explosions can be
heard.
CUT TO: