Pinocchio
Executive Summary
Overview
Genres: Drama, Family, War, Fantasy, Horror, Musical, Comedy, Adventure, Dark, Coming-of-age
Setting: ,
Themes: Grief and Loss, Acceptance and Transformation, War and its Effects, Identity and Self-Discovery, Betrayal and Deception
Conflict and Stakes:
Comparable Scripts:
Pass/Consider/Recommend
Explanation:
USP:
Market Analysis
Budget Estimate:
Target Audience Demographics:
Marketability:
Profit Potential:
Analysis Criteria Percentiles
What this means: Each criteria is ranked in comparison to scripts in our Vault (such as The Matrix, Breaking Bad, etc.) This allows you to see where you stand compared to other produced scripts for each criteria.
Writer's Voice
Summary:The writer's voice throughout the screenplay is characterized by a blend of whimsy, darkness, and emotional depth. The dialogue is often playful and poetic, reflecting the fantastical nature of the story, while the narrative descriptions are vivid and evocative, creating a rich and immersive atmosphere. The writer's unique voice contributes to the overall mood, themes, and depth of the screenplay by effectively capturing the emotions of the characters and exploring complex themes such as grief, loss, identity, and the power of love. The voice also adds a sense of whimsy and magic to the story, creating a fairy tale-like experience for the audience.
Best representation: Scene 14 - Pinocchio Goes to School and Receives a Gift from Geppetto. Scene 14 is the best representation of the author's unique voice because it showcases the whimsical and surreal elements, as well as the poetic and eccentric dialogue that are characteristic of the writer's style. The scene description is lively and dynamic, with action-packed descriptions and moments of visual comedy. The combination of vivid imagery, quirky dialogue, and lively scene direction perfectly encapsulates the writer's unique voice and creates a memorable and engaging scene.
Memorable Lines:
- Pinocchio: I'm a real boy! (Scene 10)
- Wood Sprite: Well, in this world you get what you give. (Scene 6)
- Pinocchio: I can't die!! (Scene 29)
- Geppetto: And a lie is- plain to see as your nose... And... (Scene 11)
- Count Volpe: You will burn! Burn bright, like a star! (Scene 34)
Story Shape
Screenplay Story Analysis
Note: This is the overall critique. For scene by scene critique click here
| Story Content | Character Development | Scene Elements | Audience Engagement | Technical Aspects | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Click for 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
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 10
- Dialogue: 7
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)
Scene 2 - Geppetto and Carlo's Life
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 7
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.
Scene 3 - Geppetto Remembers Carlo
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 8
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.
Scene 4 - Geppetto Mourns for Carlo
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 10
- Dialogue: 8
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.
Scene 5 - Geppetto's Grief
- Overall: 8.2
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 8
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.
Scene 6 - Geppetto's Grief
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
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.
Scene 7 - Pinocchio Comes to Life
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 8
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...
Scene 8 - Pinocchio wreaks havoc in Geppetto's workshop
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 6
...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.
Scene 9 - Pinocchio Visits the Fascist Town
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 6
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 6
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.
Scene 10 - Pinocchio Causes Chaos in Church
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 7
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:
Scene 11 - Geppetto teaches Pinocchio about the consequences of lying
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 8
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.
Scene 12 - A Puppet's Demands
- Overall: 7.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 7
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.
Scene 13 - A Night of Reflection
- Overall: 7.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 6
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 6
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-
Scene 14 - Count Volpe's Palace
- Overall: 7.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 6
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 6
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.
Scene 15 - Pinocchio Goes to School and Receives a Gift from Geppetto
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
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!!
Scene 16 - Pinocchio Gets Caught Up in the Carnival
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 7
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:
Scene 17 - Pinocchio's Temptation
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 8
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.
Scene 18 - Pinocchio performs at the carnival
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
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??!!
Scene 19 - Pinocchio's Betrayal
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 7
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:
Scene 20 - Pinocchio Goes to Limbo
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 7
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.
Scene 21 - Pinocchio Meets Death
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 10
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 8
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.
Scene 22 - Pinocchio's Resurrection
- Overall: 7.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 6
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 7
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!!
Scene 23 - Pinocchio's Plan
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 8
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:
Scene 24 - Pinocchio Runs Away
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 10
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
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
Scene 25 - Pinocchio's Journey Continues
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 6
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:
Scene 26 - Pinocchio Performs for Il Duce
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 8
PINOCCHIO
And as I gambol on my long, long,
climb, I hold on tight to our best
of times.
Eyes in the rain, I try to hide
Tears of a boy who shouldn’t cry.
Forevermore, I’ll keep in mind
Your memory, father of mine.
Farewell
My Papa.
75.
Back at town. Cold dark night. Candlewick leans against a
building. The Podestà is by his side. Podestà’s Wife is
standing further away, teary eyed.
Headlights of a truck illuminate them.
The truck is eerily quiet. Its wheels are wrapped with rags.
It stops a couple yards from Candlewick. We faintly see the
silhouette of The Driver.
Candlewick looks to his mother. She rushes towards him and
gently places her SCARF around his neck. She kisses him on
the forehead and smiles sadly.
Candlewick tightens the scarf, looks to his father and nods,
and climbs into the back of the truck. Candlewick salutes as
the truck departs.
CUT TO:
INT. COUNT VOLPE’S THEATRE - NIGHT
Pinocchio stands backstage, alone. On his head sits a red
helmet. A rifle is slowly LOWERED to him from above.
He has a look of resignation on his face.
Curtains open. Spotlight hits. He puts on his happy show
face. Pinocchio rolls out on the tank.
PINOCCHIO
I fight for the land
I fight oversea!
I’ll fight up to the end
Glory to Italy!
Around Pinocchio dancing marionettes appear; it’s a chorus
line! A showstopper!!
The audience applauds. The theatre is full. Count Volpe is
sweating as-
Spazz puppeteers with all his might!!!
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
The flag in hand
For Fatherland
Il Duce, Il Duce
We sing out and we pray
The horizon in sight
Stand up, follow the light
Volpe stands in the wings, beaming with pride.
76.
A wired eagle drops from the eaves and Pinocchio climbs
aboard.
PINOCCHIO (O.S.) (CONT’D)
Like an eagle soaring, magnificent
and free
I’ll be marching, marching on the
path to victory
We are brave! We are young!
Italia! Be jolly
Italia! We are strong
A giant Mussolini backdrop flies in.
The puppets march furiously.
Cannons full of confetti explode!
APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!
The curtains close.
Count Volpe steps out on stage, script in hand. He bows
repeatedly.
COUNT VOLPE
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Viva Benito Mussolini, nostra Duce!
Viva! Viva!! Viva!!!
He holds up the script and kisses it.
INT. BACKSTAGE PUPPET THEATRE - CONTINUOUS
Off in the wings, Pinocchio remains stuck on the eagle,
exhausted.
CUT TO:
EXT. PIER - DAY
Geppetto runs along the pier, as fast as he can. He slows,
out of breath, and we see the ship to CATANIA.
It has just left.
INT. SHIP - NIGHT
Count Volpe is counting money. Pinocchio gazes out to sea.
77.
COUNT VOLPE
Another great week, my boy!! Just
one last stop.
PINOCCHIO
Don’t forget to send my share of
the money back home to Papa.
COUNT VOLPE
Oh, I wouldn’t DREAM of forgetting!
See? Fifty-fifty-
Count Volpe separates the earnings into an equal piles.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
Minus expenses, transportation and
promotion.
He divides it in half and that half in half and half of that.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
Tomorrow, we go to a small town by
the sea- CATANIA. And there we will
perform for his excellency: Il
Duce!
Volpe produces an OFFICIAL, SEALED TELEGRAM from his pocket.
PINOCCHIO
Il Dolce?
COUNT VOLPE
No, my brightest star. Our fearless
leader: Il Duce, Benito Mussolini!!
He heard of your act and he’s
coming to see us. Ha!
He holds the telegram up for Pinocchio to see. Pinocchio
yawns, unexcited.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
He and I are very close. Here we
are in Roma...
He unfolds a photo wallet.
The photo shows Volpe amidst the crowd (a selfie) with
Mussolini in the distance.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
That’s him back there...
(beat)
You will make me- and your Papa- so
proud!!
78.
Pinocchio nods and smiles, then gazes back out to sea.
PINOCCHIO
Proud...
CUT TO:
Scene 27 - The Chase
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 6
Geppetto (Cricket in backpack pocket) walks down an old pier.
Most ships are DOCKED.
Out at sea, explosions can be seen far off in the distance.
Geppetto stands before a ship captain, shows him the flyer-
and points at the name of a SEA TOWN: CATANIA.
GEPPETTO
Eh- Excuse me, sir? Catania. Do- do
you go there? Can- can you take me
there? Please? It’s just across the
strait.
CAPTAIN
That's not the sea out there, it's
a graveyard.
GEPPETTO
Oh dear- Oh- Oh...
CAPTAIN
The Dogfish, risen from the icy
depths to take its tribute in blood
and steel. A monster, the size of
twenty ships. Full of hunger and
rage.
CRICKET
Oh please...that’s just children’s
stories.
GEPPETTO
Captain, my son is on the other
side of the gulf. He is performing
tomorrow!!
Geppetto gives him a few silver coins.
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
This is all I have in the world.
(beat)
Take it. It-- It’s yours. I just
want to see him again.
79.
The captain considers.
CUT TO:
INT. PUPPET STAGE
Pinocchio is practicing his routine. Pinocchio dances, but
falters. He is tired- weak.
COUNT VOLPE
Step and turn and step and turn and
look alive! And step, step, step.
PINOCCHIO
Can I take a moment to rest??
COUNT VOLPE
No! Your tempo is getting sloppier
and sloppier!! No rest whatsoever!!
Volpe laughs, utterly uncaring.
Spazz watches from above.
Pinocchio collapses.
PINOCCHIO
(out of breath)
Five minutes, please.
COUNT VOLPE
Three minutes.
Count Volpe starts his stopwatch. He thumps Pinocchio on the
top of his head with his cane and leaves. The other puppets
surround Pinocchio.
We see that Spazz is controlling the puppets from above.
SPAZZATURA (AS DEVIL PUPPET)
Are you feeling okay, Pinocchio?
We’re concerned.
SPAZZATURA (AS COLUMBINA) (CONT’D)
You look so tired and worn out. You
need a good long rest.
SPAZZATURA (AS PUNCHINELLO) (CONT’D)
Some trousers and another ear
wouldn’t hurt either, if y’ask me.
80.
SPAZZATURA (AS DEVIL PUPPET) (CONT’D)
Why not go home and visit your Papa
for a while. This is no place for
you.
PINOCCHIO
*Sigh* I can’t. I have to keep
working and working and sending
money.
SPAZZATURA (AS DEVIL PUPPET)
Yeah...
SPAZZATURA (AS PUNCHINELLO) (CONT’D)
The truth is... Count Volpe is
using you. He hasn’t sent a penny
to your father.
PINOCCHIO
What?!
SPAZZATURA (AS PUNCHINELLO)
He keeps all the money for himself.
SPAZZATURA (AS COLUMBINA) (CONT’D)
He doesn’t care about you.
SPAZZATURA (AS DEVIL PUPPET) (CONT’D)
You’re not his favorite.
SPAZZATURA (AS PUNCHINELLO) (CONT’D)
Spazzatura is his favorite.
SPAZZATURA (AS DEVIL PUPPET) (CONT’D)
He’s always been. He’s a genius.
PINOCCHIO
No! Count Volpe wouldn’t lie to me!
I- I’m his star! You’re- you’re all
just jealous! Hmmf!
Pinocchio leaves in a huff.
Spazz sticks out his tongue as he goes. He tried.
Count Volpe hears the tail end of this exchange.
CUT TO:
EXT. GULF SEAS - DUSK
A small VAPORETTO ship chugs amidst the MINED SEAS.
81.
On board- Geppetto and the Cricket.
GEPPETTO
You think we will find him,
Sebastian? My Pinocchio?
CRICKET
I do. You see...
(begins to sing)
My dear father loved to say:
Hop to the top of a day
The drops are easy to swallow.
My dear father loved to say:
Mop your tears and mend your
sorrows
To not drown yourself wishing...
Geppetto looks back at the Captain. He has a life jacket on
and stands by the edge of the ship.
CAPTAIN
Arrivederci!
He salutes and goes overboard.
And then, something eclipses the sun. They both look-
A mouth. An enormous mouth, the size of ten Holland tunnels,
is swallowing the sea and the small Vaporetto.
They enter the throat and the darkness, screaming!!!
CUT TO:
Scene 28 - Pinocchio stands up against Count Volpe
- Overall: 8.5
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
Pinocchio does stretches and vocal warm-ups in preparation
for the big upcoming show...
PINOCCHIO
(tongue sticking out,
singing scales)
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya!
He passes a sign with his own image on it. He does a little
pirouette.
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
Haha, it’s me!
As he lands, some kids run up to him.
82.
YOUNG BOY
It’s him! It’s him!
YOUNG GIRL
Look, here he comes!
OLDER GIRL
It’s Pinocchio! Let me talk to him.
Let me see! Let me see!
PINOCCHIO
Thank you, thank you. Oh, you’re
very kind.
Kids fight for his attention like Little Rascals.
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
Not right now! I’m sorry!
Pinocchio ducks into the puppet theater tent.
KIDS
Awww!
INT. PUPPET THEATER
Pinocchio enters and hears the sound of a silver cane
cracking and pitiful squealing.
Curious, he hides behind a large throne/chair, only to see:
INT. TENT CORRIDOR - DAY
Count Volpe is caning Spazzatura in the empty theater.
COUNT VOLPE
You worthless, mangy, deranged ape!
What have you been saying to him!?
Huh? On the night before the big
performance! You could cost me
everything!! You know who is
coming?? You have ANY idea??
*SMACK* He hits him with the cane.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
I found you- at the bottom of that
cage- in the rain! You were left
there to die. Nobody wanted you!
And I saved you!! Rescued you!! I
should’ve let you die!!
83.
Pinocchio steps in.
PINOCCHIO
Hey! Stop that!
Count Volpe turns.
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
Don’t hurt him anymore!
COUNT VOLPE
This does not concern you,
Pinocchio. You’re a star! Go
rehearse your steps.
Spazz whimpers- he is MOVED by Pinocchio’s defense of him.
PINOCCHIO
I DEMAND that you stop! You said
it: I am the STAR of this show and
I won’t have my co-star treated
this way!
Count Volpe scowls. Pinocchio is offended!
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
And what is this I hear about my
Papa not getting any money? I might
just go home right now and ask him!
Whuddaya think about that? You can
perform for Il Dulce yourself!
Pinocchio starts to walk away but Count Volpe grips Pinocchio
with his cane. The mood turns very grim. Count Volpe’s eyes
flash with evil.
COUNT VOLPE
I think you misunderstand our
relationship, my little fire
hazard. I am the puppeteer, you are
the puppet. I am the master, and
you are the SLAVE.
He pulls out his cane SWORD- directs it at Pinocchio!!
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
And you will do as I command until
your wooden body rots and I use you
to warm my furnace!!
Count Volpe slashes at Pinocchio with his sword, slicing the
tip of his nose off.
Pinocchio cries our in terror.
84.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
You may have NO strings- but I
control you. You obey me. Capiche?
As Volpe exits the carnival tent, he snaps his fingers and
summons Spazzatura.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
Spazzatura.
Spazz follows and climbs up onto his shoulder. He looks back
pitifully at Pinocchio as they walk away.
EXT. OCEAN - DAY
We see the Dogfish floating on the surface asleep.
INT. DOGFISH - CONTINUOUS
Geppetto fishes of the side of a dilapidated ship.
GEPPETTO
A son knows when his father is
alive. He will look for us, you’ll
see. You have nothing to worry
about.
He reels up the fishing rod, revealing Cricket at the end,
being used as bait.
CRICKET
Easy for you to say! Aaah!
A fish leaps out of the water, chomping at Cricket. Geppetto
is quick to react and manages to grab it!
GEPPETTO
We are having dinner tonight!
CRICKET
Hahaha! We’re so lucky!
The Cricket does a happy little dance. They celebrate.
Scene 29 - Pinocchio's Farting Puppet Show for Il Duce
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
A SUPER-DUPER-DUPER long red limousine arrives and a small
man gets out of it: MUSSOLINI. Next to him, a thin man: his
RIGHT HAND MAN.
85.
Spazzatura plays a trumpet, announcing his arrival. Everybody
in the circus OOOH’s and AAAAAH’s
Podestà, Candlewick, and the FASCIST YOUTH from the camp
stand at attention, giving the Roman salute and holding up
signs for Il Duce.
COUNT VOLPE
Ahh Your Excellency! I wrote this
number for you.
Mussolini ignores Volpe and instead looks at the poster
announcing Pinocchio.
MUSSOLINI
I like a’ puppets.
Mussolini continues on into the theater, leaving Volpe
expectant and standing alone.
INT. BACKSTAGE PUPPET THEATRE - EVENING
Spazz is sweeping, looking miserable, licking his wounds.
Pinocchio motions to him from across the room.
PINOCCHIO
Hey! Spazzatura-
Spazz considers. Looks around nervously, as he approaches.
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
(whispering)
Y’know... I think we aughta make
the big show-stopper EXTRA special
for the ol’ important Dolce tonight-
I got some real good ideas-
Pinocchio whispers into Spazz’s ear. Spazz grins.
Spazz looks over his shoulder, turns back to Pinocchio, and
nods. He’s in!
Count Volpe enters backstage as Pinocchio and Spazz finish
conspiring in hushed tones.
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
(I think I’ll definitely want
...whisper whisper whisper)
Spazz scurries off to prepare.
86.
COUNT VOLPE
In bocca al lupo, my puppet.
Delight the Duce and I will shower
you with glory.
PINOCCHIO
Oh, we’ll give him a show he will
never forget.
Pinocchio gives Spazzatura a thumbs-up, and he responds in
kind. The plan is a go. Pinocchio takes the stage (curtains
still down).
INT. PUPPET THEATER - DAY
LIGHTS! MUSIC! CURTAIN OPENS.
Once again Pinocchio rolls out on stage in a tank. He leaps
out, dressed as a soldier!!
PINOCCHIO
I fight for the land!
I fight oversea!
For Baby-poops-his-pants
Right there in front of me!
Around Pinocchio marching marionettes appear; it’s a farting
chorus line! Spazz puppeteers with delight!!!
MUSSOLINI
Poop?
The Right Hand Man shrugs.
RIGHT HAND MAN
Yes, poop Your Excellency.
PINOCCHIO (O.S.)
The poop in hand
For Fatherland
Il Duce, Il Duce
Go smell your farts and pray
Eat your boogers, your slime
You can also get mine
Volpe stands on the side of the stage clutching the script.
Baffled. He is so nervous he takes a bite out of it.
A giant POOP MARIONETTE drops down from the catwalk and
begins dancing alongside Pinocchio.
Mussolini is not happy. Candlewick laughs uproariously. But
his smiles fades under the gaze of the Podestà.
87.
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
Like a bag of poop, magnificent and
free
You are farting, farting in the
men’s lavatory
You’re a poop! We are young!
Eat caca! Big baby
Eat caca! We are strong.
SPAZZATURA
(echoing) Caca!
A giant Mussolini backdrop flies in. But this time it is
vandalized and insulting.
Pinocchio flushes himself, twirling down an oversized toilet.
Song ends. The kids go wild. Count Volpe is so nervous he
takes a bite out of the script. Everyone waits to see
Mussolini’s reaction.
Mussolini quietly turns to his Right Hand Man.
MUSSOLINI
These a’ puppets I do not like.
Shoot him. And burn it all down.
The Right Hand Man pulls out a pistol, cocks it, and fires at
Pinocchio.
CUT TO:
INT. LIMBO ANTEROOM
The Rabbits sit around the table playing poker.
Pinocchio pops out of the coffin.
PINOCCHIO
Oh hi, it’s me!!
RABBIT 3
Aww! It’s HIM again!
Pinocchio sits by their side (legs dangling like any kid)-
tries to sneak a peek at the cards. The Rabbits hold them up
to their chests!
PINOCCHIO
I cannot die!
RABBIT 2
We know!
88.
PINOCCHIO
I can’t die.
RABBIT 2
Uggh.
PINOCCHIO
(sing song)
I can’t die!!
ALL RABBITS
Through the door!
Pinocchio exits through the large door.
CUT TO:
Scene 30 - Pinocchio Confronts Mortality
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 10
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 8
Pinocchio climbs down and goes to meet Death.
Death sets down a MEDIUM SIZED hourglass (larger than last
time).
PINOCCHIO
Can you believe it?! I’ve escaped
war- bullets- fire- I was run
over!! I could get killed a lot!
I’m the luckiest boy in the world!
Death stands and begins circling Pinocchio like a cat.
DEATH
As I see it you were charged with a
terrible burden.
PINOCCHIO
Burden? No, I’m not. That’s a
horrible thing to say to a boy!
DEATH
Life can bring great suffering. And
eternal life can bring eternal
suffering.
PINOCCHIO
Aw, it’s not so bad as all that.
Yeah, I get a little beat up every
time, but as soon as I get back I’m
going home to my Papa.
89.
DEATH
Ahh, but Pinocchio... what if you
don’t see your father again?
PINOCCHIO
Of course I will! Why wouldn’t I?
DEATH
While YOU may have eternal life,
your friends... your loved ones...
they do not. Every moment shared
with them may be the very last. You
never know how long you have with
someone...
Time runs out.
DEATH (CONT’D)
...until they’re gone.
PINOCCHIO
Huh? I- I don’t understand.
Can...can you tell me more--please?
A black hole opens under Pinocchio and he falls down.
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
No. No! Noooooo!!!
INT. PADDY WAGON - NIGHT
Pinocchio wakes up, gasping!!
Pinocchio is in a paddy wagon. It’s full of boys. They’re
jostled as it drives along.
Candlewick is among the boys. Podestà sits across from
Pinocchio.
PODESTÀ
A-HA!!! I knew it! You came back
to life-
Pinocchio’s still getting his bearings. The kids buzz with
excitement and surprise. Pinocchio spots Candlewick among the
kids and excitedly waves.
PINOCCHIO
Hi, Candlewick.
Candlewick signs back an understated but delighted “hey”--
but their attention quickly goes back to Podestà.
90.
PODESTÀ
Most of us- we have but ONE life to
give to our Fatherland, but YOU!!!
You have no limit!!
PINOCCHIO
Me?
PODESTÀ
Yes, you. Follow my orders, learn
to obey and you will be the perfect
soldier.
PINOCCHIO
But my Papa...
PODESTÀ
You’ll return home a hero! Any
father would be proud of such a
son!
Podestà looks at Candlewick. Candlewick looks at Pinocchio.
Pinocchio looks around confused and smiles, oblivious.
SOLDIER driving the truck (through a window in the paddy
wagon):
SOLDIER
We’re here.
A HUGE BEAM OF LIGHT inundates the paddy wagon: Spielbergian,
glorious, brutal!!
Pinocchio squints, trying to see.
EXT. YOUTH CAMP - NIGHT
TWIN SEARCHLIGHTS focus on-
-The paddy wagon enters through the gates of an imposing,
brutalist edifice in the vicinity of a cliff. It’s a
monstrosity, imposing, like a castle or a prison.
TWO MORE SEARCHLIGHTS crisscross the sky, looking for enemy
planes.
INT. YOUTH CAMP - NIGHT
They all follow the Podestà down a long corridor. It ends at
a balcony overlooking a large, open courtyard below.
91.
Nationalistic music swells (EJA! EJA! ALALA!) like a tidal
wave as we reveal the training of several dozen kids:
Stabbing with bayonets, climbing under and above obstacles,
etc.
Pinocchio and Candlewick look at each other like “whoa!”
PINOCCHIO
Wow!! What’s all this?
CANDLEWICK
The ELITE MILITARY PROJECT- for
special, PATRIOTIC youth!
PINOCCHIO
What’s an elite?
CANDLEWICK
We are!
CONFIDENT BOY
Hehe, we’re gonna learn to be elite
soldiers!
PINOCCHIO
Learn- like school? T-to read and
write and do the “mulplitication”
thingies?
Everyone laughs.
CONFIDENT BOY
Haha! You’re funny!
Scene 31 - In the Youth Camp Dormitory
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 8
The boys all sit, attentive in their beds.
The Podestà walks along the line of beds, addressing the
youth.
Pinocchio and Candlewick lay on top of their covers in cots
next to each other.
PODESTÀ
Listen up! They’re reporting
hostile planes in the area. But we
will carry on with the exercises
tomorrow. Anyone here afraid of the
enemy?
Pinocchio raises his hand enthusiastically.
92.
PINOCCHIO
Uhh ha.
KID/S
No, sir!
CANDLEWICK
No, sir!
Pinocchio discreetly lowers his hand before anyone notices.
PINOCCHIO
Nuh uh.
PODESTÀ
Good! You may be boys, but you have
the hearts of MEN! Tomorrow you
train for the glory of the Italy!
Tomorrow you will make your
Fatherland proud!
He salutes!!
CUT TO:
LATER.
Pinocchio lays in bed. Candlewick is deep in thought. Tense.
CANDLEWICK
Pinocchio- Pinocchio-
PINOCCHIO
Yeah.
CANDLEWICK
What do you think my father meant
about those planes?
PINOCCHIO
I don’t know. I still don’t really
understand what we’re even doing
here.
CANDLEWICK
We’re preparing to be soldiers. For
war.
PINOCCHIO
But my Papa said war is bad.
CANDLEWICK
That’s ‘cause he’s a coward.
93.
PINOCCHIO
A coward? My Papa?
CANDLEWICK
Well-- he’s afraid of war, isn’t
he? My father says if you’re afraid
to die for your country- you’re
weak. You’re a coward.
PINOCCHIO
Are you afraid?
CANDLEWICK
I’m not afraid at all!
PINOCCHIO
Well, neither am I, or my Papa. I
love war!
CANDLEWICK
I love it more!
PINOCCHIO
I love it, twenty-four seven, every
day and any time!!
CANDLEWICK
Well, so do I-
PINOCCHIO
Well- we’ll see about that! Won’t
we?
They go back to bed, their backs turned.
CANDLEWICK
(sotto voce)
I’ll show him I’m no coward. I’ll
make him like me.
Pinocchio turns- whispers:
PINOCCHIO
Y’know, all fathers love their
sons. But... sometimes fathers feel
despair- like everyone else- and
they say things they only THINK
they mean in the moment. But with
time they learn that they never
really meant it at all. And they
may even call you ugly things- like
a burden... or a coward... but
inside, they love you.
94.
Candlewick is silent. He takes it in. Gets serious.
CANDLEWICK
Are you scared? Of dying?
PINOCCHIO
Me? Naaaah. I died a couple times
and it was alright. There’s rabbits
and card games, and a LOT of sand.
BLUE sand.
Candlewick can’t help but laugh with relief at Pinocchio’s
ridiculousness.
CANDLEWICK
(chuckling)
You’re so weird.
PINOCCHIO
No weirder than you, pal!
They throw pillows at each other, laughing.
Beat, as they settle in to sleep.
CANDLEWICK
I’m-- I’m glad you’re here.
PINOCCHIO
Me too.
Scene 32 - The Battle for Honor
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 9
- Dialogue: 7
Standing on the open battlefield, Podestà stands before all
the boys, explaining the rules of the game.
PODESTÀ
...And as with all great empires,
the destiny of Italy will be forged
in the strength of its youth. Today
you get your first taste of war.
You will form two teams!
Candlewick and Pinocchio look to one another, very proud-
encouraging each other. THE PODESTA HANDS OUT TWO FLAGS: ONE
is a BLACK CROSS with RADIANT LIGHT against a RED BG
(Pinocchio’s) and the other one is THE BUNDLE OF ARROWS
(Candlewick).
Candlewick exchanges a look and a half smile with his father.
It is not returned in kind.
95.
PODESTÀ (CONT’D)
In the center of the battlefield is
a tower.
The Podestà continues to address the assembly.
PODESTÀ (V.O.)
The first team to place their flag
at the top of the tower, wins! And
remember, no matter who is on the
other team, THEY are your enemy.
Podestà places his hands on BOTH Pinocchio and Candlewick.
PODESTÀ
(sotto voce)
May the best man win and bring
glory to his team and honor to us
all...
The Podestà’s speech becomes VO as we cut to the tower, then
to kids splitting into yellow and red teams, preparing their
guns, loading their grenades with confetti.
PODESTÀ (CONT’D)
The rifles are loaded with paint
and the grenades, confetti. Mark
your kill, boys.
After receiving their guns, the group takes off for battle,
leaving Pinocchio behind.
PINOCCHIO
Hey! Watch it. W-wait!
Kids settle into their trenches with expectant grins on their
faces; maybe some are goofing off a little.
We see Pinocchio and Candlewick on their respective sides,
ready for the horn.
The horn sounds.
KID/S
Eja! Eja! Alala!
WAR begins!
Candlewick and Pinocchio exceed expectations. Podestà is
pleased to see it going so well.
Scenes of war. Short action sequence, with Candlewick and
Pinocchio commanding their groups. It’s fun! Pinocchio sees
Candlewick and waves, still oblivious.
96.
PINOCCHIO
(giggling)
Hi!
A boy of Pinocchio’s side gets shot with red paint.
CONFIDENT BOY
Argh!
Candlewick and another boy laugh at the sight when suddenly
BAM! The other boy is hit with a ball of yellow paint.
LAUGHING BOY
Heheha. Awww.
Candlewick looks briefly shocked to see his friend hit, but
quickly recovers.
CANDLEWICK
C’mon boys! Let’s go!
The kids dash out of the trenches from both sides.
KID/S
Let’s go! Charge! Watch out! Go,
go, go! Yah!
Pinocchio races to the tower under a hail of gunfire.
CANDLEWICK
Faster! Follow me.
Candlewick follows with his team.
Candlewick and Pinocchio BOTH make it to the tower, avoiding
being shot, etc--
Pinocchio tosses his gun to one of his teammates.
PINOCCHIO
Catch this.
They climb and race to the top, dodging paint, etc-- they
near the top...
Podestà looks on from afar.
They frantically struggle with one another to see who can get
their flag up the pole.
They are fighting for real! A tug of war ensues with the
flags as they try to dislodge the other.
97.
With one huge tug they both tumble to the ground on opposite
sides of the tower.
THE SEARCHLIGHTS backlight them both.
Then: They suddenly realize the absurdity of what they're
doing, exchange a look and burst into laughter.
They come together and shake hands. BOTH flags are placed
together and raised up the pole.
CUT TO:
Scene 33 - The Final Lesson
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
Candlewick and Pinocchio proudly approach the Podestà, who is
now sipping tea with the Priest at a table near the edge of
the battlefield.
PODESTÀ
You’re both here- why??
CANDLEWICK
We both won, Father!
PODESTÀ
Oh, is that so? And how did you
come to that conclusion, may I ask?
PINOCCHIO
It was a tie!
CANDLEWICK
We both climbed up fast!
Podestà sips calmly.
PODESTÀ
Very good, then. Candlewick...
Podestà takes his own REAL handgun and puts it on the table.
PODESTÀ (CONT’D)
(to Candlewick)
Shoot the puppet.
Pinocchio and Candlewick shuffle nervously.
CANDLEWICK
But Father, this is a real gun.
98.
PODESTÀ
Take your glory, son!! Shoot the
puppet!!
Candlewick can’t- trembles.
THEN the sound of planes above! Everybody looks. Bombing
starts. BOOM! Air raid siren. Yellow clouds of gas.
SOLDIER
Take your positions on the
parapets! Defend the center! For
Italy!
SOLDIER 2
Hurry! Hurry! Go, go, go!
SOLDIER 3 (O.S.)
We are under attack!
The Podestà ignores what is happening all around him.
PODESTÀ
I told you to SHOOT THE PUPPET.
BOMBS EXPLODE around them!! Illuminating all with fire!!
Candlewick looks down at the gun and considers.
CANDLEWICK
No! I will not let you do this! All
my life, Father...just trying to
please you. But I never will. You
were right: I’m thin and weak- and
flimsy-- just like the wick of a
candle. Always afraid. But even
then- with all the fear I feel- I
can say “no” to you. I can do that.
(beat)
I’m not afraid to say no. Are you?
PODESTÀ
You filthy coward!!
Podestà rips the gun from Candlewick’s hand. He grabs
Candlewick by the neck, lifts and propels him backward.
PODESTÀ (CONT’D)
Yes, you are weak. You are no son
of mine.
Podestà tosses him in a ditch like a piece of trash.
Pinocchio chases after, trying to protect his friend.
99.
PINOCCHIO
Candlewick!
PODESTÀ
Puppet, on your feet!
From atop the ditch, Podestà has now turned the gun on
Pinocchio. Pinocchio stands and approaches, defiant.
PODESTÀ (CONT’D)
Time for the final lesson.
Pinocchio turns to look at Candlewick, still on the ground.
Candlewick stares back, frozen and afraid.
PODESTÀ (CONT’D)
And now you will know what it is to
truly serve the Fatherland.
A shot rings out. Podestà is struck directly in the eyes by a
blotch of yellow paint.
PODESTÀ (CONT’D)
Arggh!
He stumbles back, disoriented and temporarily blinded,
becoming caught in the netting.
From behind Pinocchio, Candlewick emerges, holding the gun.
Podestà claws at his eyes, furious and struggling to see.
He hears a noise and pauses. Slowly looks up. A BOMB FALLS.
The Podestà struggles to free himself. There is no escape.
It kills Podestà, and throws Pinocchio over the parapets.
Pinocchio lands on the ground, half a mile away. His back is
on fire.
Candlewick rushes out of the camp, calling out. Bombs falling
all around him. Kids running and screaming. Chaos.
CANDLEWICK
Pinocchio! Pinocchio!!
On the opposite side of the camp, Pinocchio veers into
oblivion as we see...
COUNT VOLPE
Hello, my little rebel!! I found
you at last. I lost everything. And
now you will too.
100.
Darkness.
FADE OUT / IN:
Scene 34 - Escape from Count Volpe's Lair
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
Pinocchio wakes up.
PINOCCHIO
HUHHH?! Candlewick!?
Pinocchio is tied to a post. Spazzatura and Volpe stand
nearby.
Reveal: Pinocchio is tied up. Count Volpe is preparing a huge
bonfire.
They are by the side of a cliff.
In the distance: THE YOUTH CENTER and searchlights criss-
crossing the sky; BOMBER PLANES release their fiery cargo!!
COUNT VOLPE
Bonjour, mon étoile.
PINOCCHIO
No! Where’s Candlewick!??
Spazz stands by Count Volpe - but looks conflicted.
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
Spazzatura! Please help me!
COUNT VOLPE
I am all he has in this world, the
poor thing. I have forgiven him...
But you? You squandered everything!
Count Volpe points his SWORD directly at Pinocchio.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
Give me that torch, Spazzatura.
Spazz hesitates, anguished for Pinocchio.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
Spazzatura! Errr, give me that!
Volpe SNATCHES the torch from Spazz and SMACKS him with it
for good measure.
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
You mangy ape!
101.
PINOCCHIO
Let me go!
COUNT VOLPE
Is our contract worth nothing? I’ll
do my part. And you- you WILL burn!
Burn bright, like a star!
PINOCCHIO
Hey, that’s HOT! Worse than
chocolate! Ow! Ow! Help!
Volpe lets out a sinister laugh.
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
Please! HELP! Help!! Ow! Help!
And then SPAZZ THINKS AND THINKS AND-
MAKES A DECISION- Leaps off of Volpe and up to Pinocchio! He
gets Pinocchio OUT of the fire. DRAGS him to safety! Flaming!
He heads for the cliffs!!!
Volpe chases Spazz, cane sword in hand. He corners them.
But Spazz is afraid!!!
The fall is too big- too scary.
COUNT VOLPE
How could you do this to me? And
for a puppet?? You loathsome lusus
naturae!!
Count Volpe raises his sword!!
COUNT VOLPE (CONT’D)
You will betray me no more!!!
And then Spazz jumps, and bites Volpe on the face!!!
They tumble back and fall down, screaming simultaneously.
Down-
Down-
Pinocchio looks over the edge- Volpe smashes on the rocks and
Spazz plunges into the water below.
PINOCCHIO
Spazzatura!!!
102.
Pinocchio calls out for Spazz, still trying to free himself
from the ropes. Suddenly another bomb goes off nearby.
The edge of the cliff he is on CRACKS. CRUMBLES. FALLS.
Carrying Pinocchio down with it.
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
Ahhhhh!
POV of his fall.
He sinks INTO THE OCEAN!!!
He sinks.
EXT. OCEAN - NIGHT
Pinocchio and Spazz on the cross, paddling aimlessly.
CUT TO:
EXT. OCEAN - DAY
JUST FLOATING. Exhausted.
PINOCCHIO
Spazzatura, will I ever see my Papa
again?
Spazz picks a barnacle off Pinocchio and eats it.
A seagull passes overhead. Spazz tracks it with his eyes.
Then they see-
EXT. DOGFISH
-a MYSTERIOUS ISLAND.
PINOCCHIO
Look, an island!
Spazz celebrates, happily dancing and pounding on the water.
As they are about to go ashore, the island rises up out of
the water again. This is no island. This is THE DOGFISH!
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
Swim!
They paddle with all their might. They are swallowed.
103.
INT. DOGFISH TUBES
They travel through gross tubes. Pinocchio gets hit by sharp
teeth and stuff, Spazz using him as a shield.
Scene 35 - Escape from the Dogfish
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 6
They are finally spat out of an ulcer waterfall.
Ugh-- Spazz covered in goop, completely grossed out.
They look up and watch with horror as the tunnel they were
spat out of closes behind them.
Pinocchio tries to find another way out, but it’s all just
gross fish parts. They wade through muck.
They look over a precipice and see a dilapidated lighthouse
and the wreckage of a ship. There appears to be a small fire
burning off in the distance.
Spazz points. They head towards it.
Spazz is excited for the heat and starts to warm himself by
the fire.
Just then they hear a the faint sound of someone singing off
in the distance.
Pinocchio shushes Spazz, straining to hear.
GEPPETTO (SONG)
And if you look at me today, my
heart would heal so fast...
Pinocchio and Spazz look at each other.
PINOCCHIO
Papa? Papa!
Pinocchio rushes towards the sound, sloshing around on planks
of wood.
Spazz follows.
GEPPETTO (SONG)
And if you held me right away, I’d
be complete at last. At last.
They leap up on the ship and run towards the bow. And there,
they find Geppetto fishing, using Cricket as bait.
104.
PINOCCHIO
(shushing Spazz)
Papa! You’re alive!
Geppetto drops his rod to hug Pinocchio. Cricket lets out a
joyous laugh.
GEPPETTO
(weakly)
Pinocchio! My Pinocchio!
Pinocchio embraces Geppetto. Cricket gets smushed between
them.
CRICKET
(groan)
Love hurts!
CUT TO:
LATER.
They all sit by the fire. A fish is roasting on a spit.
Cricket stands close to the fire, playing the violin.
PINOCCHIO
You’ll be okay, Papa.
Pinocchio leans against Geppetto, who puts his arm around
him.
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
After you’re feeling better, we’ll
go right home, okay?
GEPPETTO
No, Pinocchio. There is no escape
from this dreaded beast. He comes
seeking the warmth of the sun...
every decade or so...
(beat)
It will soon sink back to the
depths of the darkest, coldest
ocean where it dwells and- it will
drag us with him.
As Geppetto is talking Cricket stares ahead, watching the
smoke from the fire float up and out through the blowhole.
Out? Out!
105.
CRICKET
(laughing)
Oh my God, this is it! Follow me!
Hahaha.
GEPPETTO
Follow you, where?
CRICKET
Up to the lighthouse, and freedom!
They get up from the fire and dash off, trying to keep up
with an excited Cricket. They all clamber up to the very tip
of the lighthouse, the highest vantage point. Cricket perches
on the rail.
CRICKET (CONT’D)
The blowholes. We can climb out
through them.
He points, but they are still some distance away.
GEPPETTO
But we’ll never reach it. It- it’s
too far.
CRICKET
Pinocchio can help!
Cricket dashes up Pinocchio’s arm and begins to whisper in
his ear.
CRICKET (CONT’D)
Pinocchio, look...(inaudible
whispering)
GEPPETTO
What is it, Pinocchio?
A BEAT AND THEN- PINOCCHIO LOOKS AT GEPETTO.
PINOCCHIO
Oh PAPA, I HATE you!!
GEPPETTO
What?? Well, what do you...
Pinocchio’s nose grows.
PINOCCHIO
And I- and I hate YOU TOO,
Spazzatura! And-- and YOU,
Sebastian J. Cricket!
106.
His nose keeps growing!
Spazz grunts angrily.
GEPPETTO
Yes! I SEE!! Just this once, lie,
m’boy!
CRICKET
Yes! That’s it! Lie!
PINOCCHIO
My name is... Panucchio!!
GEPPETTO
More, Pinocchio!
His nose grows. Everyone gets excited.
PINOCCHIO
I love the smell of onions! I love,
I love WAR! I wanna be trapped here
forever and ever and ever!
Pinocchio’s nose grows larger and larger with each lie.
Cricket jumps on the end of his nose, riding it until it is
super huge, spanning the gap between the lighthouse and the
blowhole. Cricket reaches the other side.
GEPPETTO
Hahaha that, that’s it!
CRICKET
Climb now. Everybody climb. Hurry!
Come on!
Geppetto gingerly makes his way onto the nose bridge and
starts carefully working his way across. Spazz jumps forward
and runs, leapfrogging Geppetto and quickly scurries to the
opposite side.
GEPPETTO
What are you...?
As Geppetto continues, the branches twist and turn; he can
barely hold on.
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
Ooh--oh, oh, oh--steady...whoa!
The end rustles up and down the blowhole and something
awakes.
107.
Scene 36 - Escape from the Dogfish
- Overall: 7.0
- Concept: 7
- Plot: 8
- Characters: 6
- Dialogue: 2
DOGFISH (SFX O.S.)
(loud and echoing)
GRRRRROOOAAAAANNNN!
INT. DOGFISH
Spazz looks on, concerned, as Geppetto continues to work his
way forward.
GEPPETTO
(trying to balance)
Ehhh--whoa--ahh--my word--oh dear.
The nose is rocking and shaking all over the place, so much
so that it SNAPS clean off of Pinocchio’s face. He lunges
forward quickly to grab a hold of it before it falls.
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
Whoa--hold it--oh. Wahh.
It’s more steady now and Geppetto manages to make it the rest
of the way across. They laugh and celebrate. Pinocchio
secures the branch on his end and starts to make his way
across.
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
That’s it. Don’t look down,
Pinocchio. Look at me. Look at your
Papa!
He is halfway when the whole thing twists and rotates,
flipping Pinocchio upside down! He clings on for dear life.
PINOCCHIO
Ahh--Ahhh!
As it swings around it almost hits Geppetto and Spazz inside
the blowhole as well.
GEPPETTO
Ahh!
CRICKET
He’s going to sneeze. Hurry!
EXT. DOGFISH
The Dogfish feels something scratching around and becomes
even more irritated.
108.
DOGFISH (SFX)
*Groaaaaann*
Walls around them begin to shake...
INT. DOGFISH
The branch continues to slip. Pinocchio is hanging, trying to
keep his grip as the whole thing keeps shifting. He finally
manages to right himself, but it’s too late. The end of the
branch slips from the rail and begins to fall.
Pinocchio sprints up the branch as it begins to drop,
desperately trying to reach Geppetto and the others.
PINOCCHIO
No...Noooo! Ahhhh!! Ahh!
He reaches the end and leaps, launching himself into space as
the branch plummets below him.
GEPPETTO
I’ve got you, son!
With a CLAP! Geppetto is able to reach out and grab
Pinocchio’s wrist at the last moment.
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
Hold on my, boy!
PINOCCHIO
Help! Help!!
EXT. DOGFISH
The Dogfish howls and writhes angrily.
THE ENTIRE WORLD SHAKES AROUND THEM!
INT. DOGFISH
Geppetto tries to hang on to Pinocchio and pull him up but
now huge gusts of wind from the blowhole make it impossible.
Geppetto loses his balance and the both begin to fall.
GEPPETTO & PINOCCHIO
Ahhhhhhh!
Just as they are about to smash into the ground, A HUGE GUST
comes from one of the blowholes, sucking them back up and
into the air.
109.
EXT. DOGFISH
The Dogfish rumbles and then:
HUGE SNEEZE!
DOGFISH
*CCHHOOOOOOO!!!!!*
Pinocchio, Geppetto, Spazz and Cricket- and a bunch of debris-
all shoot out of the Dogfish’s blowhole, screaming.
Scene 37 - Escape from the Dogfish
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 8
- Plot: 9
- Characters: 7
- Dialogue: 6
Splash! Our heroes all land in the water with the debris.
Pinocchio clambers up on the first thing he can find, a huge
MINE! He is breathing heavy, trying to catch his breath.
Off in the distance, everyone else scrambles onto a makeshift
raft.
BAMM! The Dogfish reemerges from the depths! MORE STEAM THAN
EVER coming from its orifices. EYES RED! GROANING IN FURY!
Pinocchio sees the Dogfish swimming up towards him and knows
he's about to be eaten once again.
PINOCCHIO
Uhh oh. Whoa-No--No---Ahhhhh!!!
The Dogfish’s huge maw closes over Pinocchio and the mine as
well.
Cricket, Spazz, and Geppetto watch in horror as Pinocchio is
swallowed.
CRICKET
Oh no!
GEPPETTO
Pinocchio!
Off in the distance, the Dogfish surfaces. Clinging to his
tooth we see Pinocchio! The chain of the mine is wrapped
around it.
PINOCCHIO
Papa!! Papa!!!
The Dogfish spots the raft and turns towards it menacingly.
110.
GEPPETTO
It’s coming for us! Quick!
Spazz seeing what’s happening jumps back in the sea!
CRICKET
C'mon, Spazzatura, you can do it!
Spazz acts as an outboard motor!!!! He pushes till it hurts.
They start speeding up!
They head away- the Dogfish gaining rapidly!!
Pinocchio looks out from the mouth and sees that the Dogfish
is headed straight for his friends.
His eyes quickly search around. What can he do?
He tracks the chain to the end of the Dogfish’s gullet. An
idea dawns on Pinocchio.
Pinocchio leaps off the tooth and into the water gushing
through the Dogfish’s mouth. He tries to swim towards the
mine.
The Dogfish barrels forward with ferocious speed towards the
raft.
Pinocchio is swept towards the mine, but the current is too
strong!
He grasps desperately for the mine but misses and is carried
over the edge.
Spazz and Geppetto are paddling with crazy determination!
CRICKET (CONT’D)
Yes, faster, Spazzatura!!
GEPPETTO
Hold on!
The Dogfish gains on our heroes and is ABOUT TO SWALLOW THEM-
Suddenly we see Pinocchio! With monumental effort he swims up
the waterfall!!!
He grabs the side of one of the firing pins, barely hanging
on.
The mouth of the Dogfish opens wide. It is right on top on
them.
111.
CRICKET
Oh my God, this is it!
With his last ounce of strength, Pinocchio pulls himself up
by one arm and detonates the mine.
Gulp! Beat. BOOOMMMMMM!!!!
The Dogfish EXPLODES!!
Our heroes are thrown asunder by a tidal wave!!
THE RAFT BLOWS UP.
GEPPETTO HITS THE WATER AND SINKS, UNCONSCIOUS.
BLACK.
INT. LIMBO ANTEROOM
Pinocchio pops out of the coffin.
PINOCCHIO
No!! Not NOW!!
CUT TO:
INT. LIMBO
Pinocchio stands before Death, who is setting down a HUGE
hourglass.
PINOCCHIO
Send me back, now! Please, I need
to go back to save my Papa.
DEATH
You know the rules, Pinocchio.
Long pause as Death considers Pinocchio.
DEATH (CONT’D)
All the sand must fall before you
can return.
PINOCCHIO
There’s no time! He’s dying!
DEATH
Rules are rules. And if we BREAK
them--
112.
She taps the glass of the timer with her claw, very
deliberately.
DEATH (CONT’D)
--There are dire consequences.
Pinocchio knows she is trying to tell him something but
doesn’t quite understand. He steps closer to the glass timer.
DEATH (CONT’D)
If you were to go back now- so soon-
you would become mortal.
(beat)
You might save Geppetto. But you
will die, Pinocchio. And it will be
your last life.
PINOCCHIO
I don’t care- send me back!!
(beat)
Do it!!
He looks at Death.
DEATH
Not me, wooden boy. Break the
rules. Break them. If you’re sure?
She TAPS the glass again. This time a small crack appears.
Pinocchio turns back to the timer and--
SMASHES IT! The sand scatters.
All the timers behind Death instantly burst!
A portal opens on the ground behind Pinocchio.
Death and Pinocchio bow to each other in acknowledgment.
DEATH (CONT’D)
Now, go to your father, child. And
make the most of it.
Pinocchio takes a running leap and dives through.
Scene 38 - Pinocchio Comes Back to Life
- Overall: 9.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 10
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 7
Pinocchio shoots out of the water. He is missing an arm and
part of his leg-- now just stumps.
He falls back in, then rises to the surface and GASPS for
breath! He’s alive! He has a chance to save Geppetto!
113.
PINOCCHIO
Papa!
His missing limbs make it hard for him to swim, but he
reaches Geppetto and gets him on his back. With ALL HIS MIGHT
he heads towards the shore, struggling... choking...
PINOCCHIO (CONT’D)
Papa...
He pushes Geppetto to shore.
We do not see Pinocchio.
EXT. BEACH - DAY
Spazzatura drags himself out of the ocean. The beach is
covered in MINES from the ocean. The ocean is now pristine.
The Dogfish is nowhere in sight.
Spazz is utterly exhausted but RELIEVED. He made it! Land!
Something wriggles in Spazz’s mouth. He coughs up: Cricket!
CRICKET
We- we made it! Hahaha I can’t
believe it!
GEPPETTO (O.S.)
*COUGH!* *COUGH!*
Cricket and Spazzatura look over:
Geppetto and Pinocchio have washed up on the beach.
Geppetto rises and spits up ocean water.
Pinocchio does not. PINOCCHIO IS INERT.
Geppetto rushes to Pinocchio.
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
Pinocchio! My boy, my...boy.
Geppetto kneels over Pinocchio’s limp, destroyed body and
raises his head out of the water. His eyes are lifeless dots.
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
Wake up, Pinocchio! Like last time!
Get up! You’re fine! You- you-
Spazz and Cricket rush to Geppetto. When they see, they know:
114.
Pinocchio is dead. His body moves gently with the tide.
Tears in his eyes, Geppetto desperately tries to reanimate
Pinocchio.
GEPPETTO (CONT’D)
You are here, my dear son, can’t
you see me? You’re-- you’re alive,
you’re so free, I need you...my
son.
Geppetto weeps.
The Wood Sprite appears beside them.
WOOD SPRITE
Master Geppetto...I only wished to
bring you joy.
Geppetto looks to see the Wood Sprite, too grief-stricken to
be amazed by the sight of her.
GEPPETTO
And you DID. You DID bring me joy--
(embracing Pinocchio)
--such terrible, terrible joy.
Please! Bring him back to me!
WOOD SPRITE
To save you, he became a real boy.
And real boys... don’t come back.
GEPPETTO
I know that... I know, but...
Then the Cricket stands up, FURIOUS.
CRICKET
It’s not FAIR! In this world you
get what you give, remember?? And
this boy gave-- why, he gave
everything he could!
The Wood Sprite looks at them both. Considers.
CRICKET (CONT’D)
You said if I should perform my
duties and make Pinocchio a good
boy- guide him into doing what is
right, you would concede me one
wish!
115.
WOOD SPRITE
I did. And did you accomplish this
task?
CRICKET
OKAY! Fine! So maybe I didn’t do so
great. Maybe I messed up a little-
or a lot- but- Well, I tried my
best and that’s the best anyone can
do! PINOCCHIO taught me that! I
mean, I taught it to him and then
he taught it straight back at me!
And- You know why? Because- because
he was GOOD!
Everyone is touched by the Cricket’s words.
The Wood Sprite nods.
WOOD SPRITE
Well then, noble Cricket: Choose
wisely...
CRICKET
Well, gosh darn it!! I wish him
back to life!
The Wood Sprite places her hands on Pinocchio. He begins to
glow.
WOOD SPRITE
Very well then. Little wooden boy
made of pine- may you rise with the
sun and wander the earth- be his
son- fill his days with light. So
he’ll never be alone.
GEPPETTO
PINOCCHIO- my child- I was trying
to make you someone you were not.
So- don’t be Carlo, or anyone else!
Be exactly who you are! I- I love
you exactly as you are...
And so, Pinocchio awakes.
PINOCCHIO
Then I will be Pinocchio! And you
will be my Papa! Will that do?
GEPPETTO
That will do.
The Wood Sprite fades away.
116.
They all begin to laugh and celebrate.
The Cricket watches, feeling a little emotional himself.
CRICKET
Oh- life is such a wonderful gift!
Scene 39 - Epilogue
- Overall: 8.0
- Concept: 9
- Plot: 7
- Characters: 8
- Dialogue: 8
Series of shots of Pinocchio, Geppetto, Spazz and Sebastian
living together in the house.
- Spazz pushes Geppetto in a wheelchair. Pinocchio reads to
them by the fire.
- The Cricket working on his book.
-Spazz and the Cricket play chess.
CRICKET
Checkmate.
- Teaching Pinocchio how to make puppets. They work together.
CRICKET (V.O.)
And so it was... That we lived our
lives. We never saw the Wood Sprite
again. Geppetto aged- Pinocchio
didn’t- And in time Geppetto
left...
- Pinocchio tucks Geppetto into bed. Geppetto FADES.
Pinocchio is alone.
INT. GEPPETTO WORKSHOP - DAY
CRICKET (V.O.)
One winter morning Pinocchio found
me by the window.
Pinocchio and Spazz walk past the window and see... Sebastian
in a dead, but peaceful pose on the windowsill.
CRICKET (V.O.)
I wasn’t moving anymore, so he put
me in a matchbox and he carries me
still with him. Right in his heart.
EXT. HILL BESIDE PINE FOREST
PULL OUT to reveal: A little matchbox is in his heart.
117.
Pinocchio and an old Spazzatura with a cane walk up the hill.
As they go, Spazz FADES AWAY as well. A third grave appears
at the top of the hill. It reads:
“SPAZZATURA - Star of the Stage”
Pinocchio places flowers at each of the graves on the hill.
Pinocchio tenderly touches Geppetto’s gravestone and heads
off into the sunset.
CRICKET
He ventured into the world. And the
world, I believe, embraced him
back. I’ve not heard of him in
quite awhile... Will he eventually
die? I think so-
(beat)
And maybe that makes him a real
boy. What happens, happens.
(beat)
And then we are gone...
INT. LIMBO ANTEROOM
RABBIT 4
Are you gonna keep yappin’ or are
you gonna play?
CAMERA pulls back to reveal Cricket is there, playing cards
with the Black Rabbits.
CRICKET
Do you mind? I was recounting my
life...
RABBIT 4
It was a good life!
RABBIT 3
Ahh, good enough.
He looks at CAMERA and winks!
CRICKET
Hit it, boys!
The Rabbits look around, confused. Cricket breaks into song.
Credits roll over song.
118.
CRICKET (SONG) (CONT’D)
My dear father loved to say:
Hop to the top of a day
The drops are easy to swallow.
My dear father loved to say:
Mop your tears and mend your
sorrows
To not drown your soul wishing for
better tomorrows.
You want to think bright,
You want to think right.
A star falling down, down, down
Doesn’t break the night.
You want to think bright
Whatever you do,
Shadows brings you down, down, down
Dimming all the light
As you try to climb.
For life has a funny way of going
‘round and ‘round
On a ride it goes, one day side to
side, one day upside down,
Down, down.
You can make it right,
Well worth a good fight
And if some days have downs and
lows
Open your arms to better tomorrows
A floating tune is in the air
(whistling)
The simple things you care to share
(whistling)
A trace of light, a flock of
sparrows,
Anything high you dare to follow
Open your arms to better tomorrows.
Tomorrows.
You want to think bright,
You want to think right
To let your heart sing, sing, sing
On a summer night.
You want to think bright
Whatever you do.
When the strings go zing, zing,
zing
Fly high with the band
Just get up and swing
(whistling)
You can make it right,
Well worth a good fight
And if some days have downs and
lows
Open your arms to better tomorrows
(MORE)
119.
CRICKET (SONG) (CONT'D)
Watercolors in May, painting a
purple sky
A pen, a line, a river.
Strokes on a mandolin playing a
gentle sigh,
These are the simple things that
matter.
You want to think bright,
You want to think right.
And let your heart sing, sing, sing
On a summer night.
You want to think bright
Whatever you do.
Teeny bells go ding, ding, ding
Laughing in the wind
A kite on a string
For life has a funny way of going
‘round and ‘round
On a ride it goes, one day side to
side, one day upside down
Down, down.
And you make it right,
And your heart is bright.
So let the world know how it goes:
Open your arms to better
Open your arms to better tomorrows.
BLACK.
Characters in the screenplay, and their arcs:
| Character | Arc | Critique | Suggestions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geppetto | Geppetto's character arc is defined by his journey from grief-stricken isolation to a renewed sense of purpose and acceptance. Initially consumed by his pain, Geppetto struggles to form a bond with Pinocchio. However, as he begins to teach Pinocchio the importance of honesty and morality, he slowly begins to let go of his pain and finds joy in being a father again. Though he still struggles with his emotions throughout the movie, he ultimately sacrifices himself to save Pinocchio and passes on a legacy of love and selflessness to his son. | Overall, Geppetto's character arc is well-executed. He experiences believable emotional growth and his actions feel grounded in his established personality. However, there are moments where his behavior feels inconsistent, particularly in his interactions with Pinocchio. In some scenes, he is affectionate and patient, while in others he is distant and harsh. Additionally, his sacrifice at the end of the film feels somewhat rushed and underdeveloped. | To improve Geppetto's character arc, the filmmakers could focus on strengthening the consistency of his behavior towards Pinocchio throughout the film. Additionally, more focus could be placed on developing his relationship with Pinocchio outside of their conflict, so his sacrifice feels more earned and impactful. Finally, adding more scenes showcasing his emotional vulnerability and pain would help round out his character and make his growth more impactful. |
| Carlo | Carlo begins the story as a playful and curious child who loves spending time with his father and helping him carve marionettes. However, when he passes away during the Great War, Geppetto is left heartbroken and filled with regret for not spending more time with him. Throughout the story, Geppetto creates a marionette that resembles Carlo and names him Pinocchio. As the story progresses, Pinocchio's adventures mirror Carlo's life and Geppetto sees him grow into the kind, brave, and selfless son that Carlo always was. By the end of the story, Geppetto is able to find closure and let go of his grief, realizing that Carlo will always live on in his heart. | The character arc for Carlo is limited, as he doesn't experience any growth or development beyond his initial introduction. The story revolves around Geppetto's grief and journey, with Carlo only serving as a catalyst for Geppetto's character development. | To improve the character arc for Carlo, consider exploring his personality and traits further through flashbacks or dream sequences. Additionally, giving Carlo a more active role in the story, such as influencing Pinocchio's actions or communicating with Geppetto in a supernatural way, could add more depth to his character and make his impact on Geppetto more tangible. |
| The Cricket | Throughout the movie, the Cricket experiences a journey from being suspicious and protective to becoming a wise and kind guide. He starts off as an intelligent but self-centered individual, but through his interactions with Geppetto and Pinocchio, he develops a deeper understanding of the importance of fatherhood and love. After being trapped under a glass and doubting his ability to guide others, he eventually regains his confidence and wisdom, becoming a source of encouragement for Geppetto and a trusted advisor to both Geppetto and Pinocchio. | The Cricket's arc is well-developed and highlights the importance of learning from experiences and growing as a person. However, the arc could be enhanced by having more direct interactions with Pinocchio and exploring their relationship more deeply. Additionally, it would be helpful to see more clearly how the Cricket's journey impacts the main story of Geppetto and Pinocchio. | To improve the arc, more scenes between Pinocchio and the Cricket should be included to develop their relationship and provide more depth to the story. It may also be beneficial to show how the Cricket's guidance impacts Geppetto and Pinocchio's decisions and actions throughout the movie. Lastly, having the Cricket participate in more action and plot-driven scenes could help to keep the audience engaged and invested in his character. |
| Pinocchio | Pinocchio's character arc is one of growth and maturity. He starts off as a mischievous and impulsive puppet who is easily distracted from his commitments. As he navigates through the dangers and trials of fascist Italy, he matures and becomes more selfless. He learns to value the people close to him and cares for them deeply. He eventually proves himself to be brave and selfless, willing to make sacrifices for his loved ones. By the end of the story, he has become a mature and responsible young man who has learned valuable lessons about life and love. | Pinocchio's character arc is well-developed and engaging. However, his growth seems to occur rapidly and without much reflection. It would be beneficial to see more internal conflict and self-reflection as he matures and learns from his experiences. Additionally, his lying is a recurring issue that is not fully resolved in the story. | To improve Pinocchio's character arc, there could be more moments of introspection and reflection as he learns and grows. Also, it would be beneficial to address his lying more directly, perhaps by having him face the consequences of his actions. Overall, Pinocchio's character arc is well-crafted and engaging, but could benefit from more depth and nuance in his growth and development. |
| Cricket | Cricket begins as a mediator and guide for Pinocchio, working towards his own personal goal of having his wish granted. As the story progresses, Cricket takes on a more supportive role and tries to convince Pinocchio to stay true to his promises and become a good puppet, even at the cost of his own wish. Although he faces setbacks and challenges, Cricket remains a loyal companion and successful mentor, guiding Pinocchio towards a better path and ultimately achieving his own personal peace in the end. | The overall arc for Cricket is strong and consistent, providing a stable presence for Pinocchio throughout the story. However, it would be beneficial to see more of the Cricket's personal conflict or growth, aside from his desire to have his wish granted. This would add more depth to his character and further emphasize his selflessness towards Pinocchio. | To further enhance Cricket's character arc, consider exploring his backstory or personal motivations beyond his desire for a wish. This could include past experiences that have shaped his outlook on life, or personal values that he seeks to impart on Pinocchio. Additionally, providing more moments of vulnerability or self-reflection for the Cricket would allow for a more emotional payoff in the end, as he achieves his own personal peace. |
| Podestà | Podestà's arc begins with his initial introduction as a fascist leader with significant power. He then becomes the primary antagonist, impersonal and focused solely on maintaining order. The climax of his arc occurs when he tries to convince Pinocchio to become a soldier for the fascist regime. However, Pinocchio ultimately rejects this offer and Podestà is left empty-handed, losing his power and influence. | The character arc for Podestà is impactful, however, it could benefit from more detail and nuance. The arc is primarily driven by external events rather than internal conflicts or changes. This makes Podestà feel like a one-dimensional character who is only there to serve as a villain. | To improve Podestà's arc, it would be beneficial to explore his motivations and inner conflicts. Perhaps he is driven by a sense of duty towards his fascist ideology and genuinely believes his methods are the only way to maintain order. Alternatively, he could be struggling with a personal sense of doubt and insecurity, leading him to double down on his authoritarian ways. Adding these layers to his character would make the arc feel more impactful and meaningful. |
| Candlewick | Candlewick's arc begins with him being a menacing and rebellious character who poses a potential threat to Pinocchio and Geppeto. He does not seem to care about anyone else's feelings or wellbeing and is solely focused on himself. However, after becoming friends with Pinocchio, his personality starts to change. Candlewick begins to bond with Pinocchio over their shared weirdness and vulnerability. By the middle of the movie, Candlewick matures into a more tactical and competitive person who is struggling with the disconnect between his father's beliefs about war and his own fears of dying. The climax of his arc takes place when he transforms into a brave and rebellious fighter who stands up against the oppressive regime. By the end of the movie, Candlewick has undergone significant changes and developed into a much more complete character than he was at the beginning of the movie. | The character arc for Candlewick is generally well-executed and shows significant growth throughout the movie. However, there is an abrupt change from the middle of the arc to the climax, and it feels like there is an important moment missing that connects these two stages. Additionally, Candlewick's experiences with war could have been fleshed out more, and the audience could have been given more insight into his struggles. This would have created a more nuanced character and created a deeper emotional connection with the audience. | To improve Candlewick's character arc, it would be helpful to include a transitional scene that connects the middle of his arc to the climax. This would allow the audience to better understand why he suddenly transformed into a brave fighter. Additionally, more screen time could have been devoted to exploring Candlewick's experiences with war and the internal struggles he faced. This would have created a more sympathetic and complete character that the audience would have been more invested in. |
| Spazzatura | Spazzatura's character arc starts off as a victim, mistreated by Count Volpe and serving as a loyal companion to Pinocchio. However, as the story progresses, he becomes more empowered and ultimately decides to help Pinocchio despite his conflicting loyalty to Volpe. He sacrifices himself in the process, showing bravery and selflessness. Spazzatura's arc highlights growth and the importance of choosing one's own values and loyalties rather than blindly following others. | Overall, Spazzatura's arc is well-developed and provides depth to a comedic character. However, as a minor character, his development could have been further amplified and explored. Additionally, his motivations for switching sides are not entirely clear and could have been strengthened. | To improve Spazzatura's arc, his motivations and internal conflicts could be further developed and explored. Additionally, his comedic relief could be balanced with more serious moments to highlight the weight of his decisions. Further exploration of his backstory and how he became a henchman for Volpe could also add depth to his character. |
| Count Volpe | Count Volpe's character arc begins with his desire to obtain Pinocchio for unknown reasons. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that he sees Pinocchio as a valuable asset to his show and will stop at nothing to obtain him. However, as Pinocchio begins to rebel against his control, Count Volpe becomes threatened by his success and tries to keep him under his thumb. In the end, his greed and desire for control lead to his downfall as he is ultimately defeated by Pinocchio and his friends. | The character arc for Count Volpe is fairly predictable and lacks complexity. While his motivation for wanting Pinocchio is unclear at first, it becomes obvious that he is driven by greed and a desire for power. Additionally, his downfall feels rushed and lacks a sense of real consequence for his actions. | To improve Count Volpe's character arc, it would be beneficial to delve deeper into his backstory and explore his motivations in greater detail. Perhaps there is a tragic event in his past that drives him to seek control and power over others. Additionally, his downfall could be made more impactful by having him face real consequences for his actions, such as losing everything he has worked for or being arrested for his crimes. |
Top Correlations and patterns found in the scenes:
| Pattern | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Tone vs Emotional Impact | There is a strong correlation between the tone of the scene and its emotional impact. Scenes that are more somber or melancholic tend to have higher emotional impact scores. |
| Dialogue vs Plot | Scenes with stronger dialogue tend to have weaker plot scores, and vice versa. This suggests that the author may have difficulty balancing these elements. |
| Conflict vs Move Story Forward | Scenes with higher conflict scores also tend to have higher scores for moving the story forward. This suggests that conflict is an effective tool for advancing the plot. |
| Character Changes vs Emotional Impact | Scenes with more significant character changes also tend to have higher emotional impact scores. This suggests that the audience is more invested in characters who experience significant growth or transformation throughout the story. |
| High Stakes vs Overall Grade | Scenes with higher stakes tend to receive higher overall grades. This suggests that the audience is more engaged when the outcome of a scene has significant consequences. |
Stories Similar to this one
| Story | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Pinocchio | Obviously, the most similar story to this screenplay, as it is an adaptation of the classic children's book by Carlo Collodi. |
| The Little Match Girl | Both stories deal with the theme of loss, grief and a parent's love for their child. They also share a sad ending. |
| Big Fish | Both stories deal with a father's love for their child and the power of storytelling and imagination. They also both feature elements of magical realism. |
| The Pianist | Both stories deal with the horrors and effects of war and how they can impact individuals and families. |
| Life is Beautiful | Like this screenplay, the movie explores the themes of war, grief, love and the power of imagination. It also has elements of fantasy and magical realism and features a father's love for his child. |
| Cinderella | Both stories feature a parent mourning the loss of their child and a magical, fantastical creature (Pinocchio/Fairy Godmother) that assists the protagonist. They also deal with themes of transformation and forgiveness. |
| Pan's Labyrinth | Both stories feature elements of fantasy and magical realism and deal with the horrors of war and the power of a child's imagination. They also both feature an older male character taking care of a young child. |
| Charlotte's Web | Both stories features an animal character (cricket/Charlotte) helping and guiding the protagonist (Pinocchio/Wilbur) through difficult experiences. They also both deal with themes of loss and grief. |
| Finding Neverland | Both stories deal with the power of imagination and the escape it can provide from difficult real-life situations. They also both feature a father-like figure bonding with a child and guiding them through difficult experiences. |
| Brave Little Toaster | Both stories feature an inanimate object (Pinocchio/Toaster) coming to life and embarking on a journey. They both explore themes of identity and self-discovery and feature a loyal companion guiding the protagonist. |
Here are different Tropes found in the screenplay
| Trope | Trope Details | Trope Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Parental Grief | Geppetto grieves at his son Carlo's grave, recalling happy memories of reading and building together. Flashbacks establish their strong bond and Carlo's subsequent death in the war. | Parental Grief refers to the trope of parents grieving over the loss of their child. An example of this trope can be seen in the show The Walking Dead when Rick grieves over the loss of his son Carl. |
| Magical Puppet | A cricket and wood sprite guide him in carving Pinocchio, who comes to life. Geppetto is initially horrified but eventually accepts Pinocchio with the help of the cricket. | The Magical Puppet trope is the use of a puppet or doll as a central figure in a story, often imbued with magical properties. An example of this trope can be seen in the show Chucky where a doll is possessed by a serial killer's spirit and causes havoc. |
| Coming of Age | Pinocchio explores the workshop and wanders through a town filled with fascist propaganda. He attends church and his nose grows, causing the crowd to mistake him for a demon. Geppetto files off the excess nose while the cricket tunes a tiny fiddle. Pinocchio interrupts a meeting and is suggested to attend school. Geppetto promises to make him new legs. | Coming of Age refers to the trope of a young protagonist maturing and gaining life experience. An example of this trope can be seen in the show Stranger Things where the young characters face challenges and gain skills to help them overcome supernatural forces. |
| Evil Carnival | Count Volpe sets up his carnival around his puppet theater and becomes intrigued by the 'living puppet'. Meanwhile, Geppetto gives Pinocchio Carlo's schoolbook. Pinocchio is distracted by the carnival and becomes the star of Count Volpe's puppet show. He neglects school and his promise to attend it. Count Volpe introduces Pinocchio on stage, and he becomes a success. Geppetto searches for Pinocchio and finds the carnival, but Count Volpe is furious when he realizes that Pinocchio is gone. | The Evil Carnival trope is the use of a carnival or fair as a setting for sinister or dangerous events. An example of this trope can be seen in the show American Horror Story: Freak Show where the carnival attracts the attention of murderers and monsters. |
| War is Hell | Pinocchio joins a game in Limbo Anteroom before talking to Death and learning of his existence. Pinocchio appears dead, which results in conflicts about his contract and military purposes. Pinocchio runs away and joins the carnival, determined to prove himself and avoid going to war. Geppetto discovers Pinocchio's plan and tries to catch up with him on his journey. Meanwhile, Pinocchio performs and travels in many different towns and cities. | War is Hell is a common trope used to convey the intense suffering and trauma of war. An example of this trope can be seen in the movie Saving Private Ryan where the soldiers face unimaginable horrors during World War II. |
| Bonding Over Shared Interests | Pinocchio and Candlewick bond over their fathers' beliefs and participate in a silly war game. Candlewick rebels, resulting in the Podestà's death and their escape. Pinocchio is captured by Volpe and Spazz, but they eventually escape and are swallowed by the Dogfish. They escape with Geppetto's help but are chased by the Dogfish towards their group. | Bonding Over Shared Interests refers to the trope of characters forming a relationship through shared interests or activities. An example of this trope can be seen in the show Stranger Things where the characters bond over their love of Dungeons and Dragons. |
| Hero's Sacrifice | Pinocchio detonates a mine inside the Dogfish, saving everyone but knocking out Geppetto. Pinocchio goes to Limbo and breaks the rules to save Geppetto before coming back to life. | The Hero's Sacrifice trope is the use of a character sacrificing themselves for the greater good. An example of this trope can be seen in the movie Avengers: Endgame where Iron Man sacrifices himself to save the universe. |
| Passing The Torch | Pinocchio and his companions live together until Geppetto and Spazz pass away. | Passing The Torch is the trope of a character leaving a legacy or passing on their skills or knowledge to another character. An example of this trope can be seen in the show Doctor Who where the Doctor passes on the legacy of his time-traveling adventures to new companions. |
| Theme | Theme Details | Themee Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Grief and Loss | Geppetto grieves the loss of his son Carlo in the war and builds Pinocchio in his memory. Throughout the story, Geppetto struggles with the burden of his grief and the memories of his son. | One of the primary and most prominent themes in the screenplay is grief and loss. The story starts with Geppetto grieving the death of his son Carlo and continues to explore his journey of coping with the loss. Through his interactions with Pinocchio, Geppetto learns to come to terms with his grief and finds a way to honor the memory of his son. |
| Acceptance and Transformation | Geppetto is initially horrified at the idea of a living puppet, but with the help of the cricket, he learns to accept Pinocchio into his life. Pinocchio also transforms throughout the story from a wooden puppet to a sentient being with complex emotions. | Another important theme in the screenplay is acceptance and transformation. Geppetto's journey of accepting Pinocchio and learning to love him as his own son is a significant part of the story. Additionally, Pinocchio's transformation from a puppet to a sentient being capable of emotions and self-awareness is a significant aspect of the story. |
| War and its Effects | The impact of war on Geppetto and Carlo's relationship is explored in flashbacks. Pinocchio's avoidance of war and his eventual discovery of the truth about it is an integral part of the story. | The theme of war and its effects on the lives of people is another crucial aspect of the screenplay. The story explores the impact of war on Geppetto and Carlo's relationship and the struggles that children face when forced to participate in war. Pinocchio's avoidance of war and his eventual discovery of the truth about it is also an important part of the story. The screenplay highlights the horrors of war and the long-lasting effects it has on people's lives and relationships. |
| Identity and Self-Discovery | Pinocchio's journey of self-discovery as he navigates his way through the world, discovers the truth about himself, and finds his place in life. | Identity and self-discovery are first evident when Pinocchio comes to life and has to figure out who he is. Pinocchio struggles with his identity and longs to be accepted as a real boy, which motivates much of his behavior. Through his journey, Pinocchio learns about who he is and discovers his place in the world. |
| Betrayal and Deception | Count Volpe takes advantage of Pinocchio's naivety for his own gain. Pinocchio is deceived by Count Volpe and learns the hard way about the consequences of trusting the wrong people. | Betrayal and deception are a recurring theme in the screenplay. Pinocchio is repeatedly deceived by others throughout the story, and this theme is used to emphasize the importance of trust and the potentially severe consequences of betrayal and deception. |
Screenwriting Resources on Themes
Articles
| Site | Description |
|---|---|
| Studio Binder | Movie Themes: Examples of Common Themes for Screenwriters |
| Coverfly | Improving your Screenplay's theme |
| John August | Writing from Theme |
YouTube Videos
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Story, Plot, Genre, Theme - Screenwriting Basics | Screenwriting basics - beginner video |
| What is theme | Discussion on ways to layer theme into a screenplay. |
| Thematic Mistakes You're Making in Your Script | Common Theme mistakes and Philosophical Conflicts |
| Voice Analysis | |
|---|---|
| Summary: | The writer's voice throughout the screenplay is characterized by a blend of whimsy, darkness, and emotional depth. The dialogue is often playful and poetic, reflecting the fantastical nature of the story, while the narrative descriptions are vivid and evocative, creating a rich and immersive atmosphere. The writer's unique voice contributes to the overall mood, themes, and depth of the screenplay by effectively capturing the emotions of the characters and exploring complex themes such as grief, loss, identity, and the power of love. The voice also adds a sense of whimsy and magic to the story, creating a fairy tale-like experience for the audience. |
| Voice Contribution | The writer's voice contributes to the script by creating a distinct and immersive world for the characters to inhabit. The playful and poetic dialogue brings depth and authenticity to the characters, allowing the audience to connect with their emotions and struggles. The vivid and evocative narrative descriptions set the scene and create a visually stunning atmosphere, enhancing the overall mood of the screenplay. The voice also explores complex themes in a relatable and thought-provoking way, adding depth and layers to the story. Overall, the writer's voice is integral to the screenplay's success in creating a magical and emotionally resonant experience for the audience. |
| Best Representation Scene | 14 - Count Volpe's Palace |
| Best Scene Explanation | Scene 14 is the best representation of the author's unique voice because it showcases the whimsical and surreal elements, as well as the poetic and eccentric dialogue that are characteristic of the writer's style. The scene description is lively and dynamic, with action-packed descriptions and moments of visual comedy. The combination of vivid imagery, quirky dialogue, and lively scene direction perfectly encapsulates the writer's unique voice and creates a memorable and engaging scene. |
Originality
- Overall originality score: 7
- Overall originality explanation: The screenplay showcases a fresh and creative take on the classic story of Pinocchio, incorporating unique elements such as a World War II setting, supernatural elements, and political commentary. The authenticity of the characters' actions and dialogue adds to the originality of the scene.
- Most unique situations: The most unique situations in the screenplay are Pinocchio's encounters with fascist propaganda, his conversations with Death, and his participation in a war game.
| Goals and Philosophical Conflict | |
|---|---|
| internal Goals | Geppetto's internal goal in this script is to process and let go of his grief for his son, Carlo. Carlo's internal goal is to feel safe, loved, and secure. Pinocchio's internal goal is to be accepted and perceived as a real boy. Spazz's internal goal is to find a sense of belonging and purpose. The Cricket's internal goal is to survive and protect his home. |
| External Goals | Geppetto's external goal is to secure his tools and get home safely. Pinocchio's external goal is to reunite with his father and find a sense of belonging. The protagonist's external goal is to continue living his life after the loss of his son. Count Volpe's external goal is to use Pinocchio for his puppet theater. Spazz's external goal is to find Pinocchio and bring him back to life. Geppetto's external goal is to find Pinocchio and protect him. The protagonist's external goal is to find his father and reunite with him. Pinocchio's external goal is to save his father and prove himself as a good son. |
| Philosophical Conflict | The overarching philosophical conflict in this script is the tension between reality and fantasy, the power of love, the nature of existence, and the clash of societal norms and individual identity. |
Character Development Contribution: The goals and conflict contribute to the character's development by challenging their beliefs, values, and desires. They go on a journey of self-discovery and growth, facing internal and external obstacles that shape their identity and understanding of the world.
Narrative Structure Contribution: The goals and conflict contribute to the narrative structure by providing a clear motivation and direction for the characters. They drive the plot forward and create tension and suspense. The evolving goals and conflicts create a sense of progression and development in the story.
Thematic Depth Contribution: The goals and conflict contribute to the thematic depth of the screenplay by exploring themes of loss, grief, acceptance, love, identity, freedom, and the power of storytelling. They raise philosophical questions and challenge societal norms, adding depth and complexity to the overall narrative.
Screenwriting Resources on Goals and Philosophical Conflict
Articles
| Site | Description |
|---|---|
| Creative Screenwriting | How Important Is A Character’s Goal? |
| Studio Binder | What is Conflict in a Story? A Quick Reminder of the Purpose of Conflict |
YouTube Videos
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| How I Build a Story's Philosophical Conflict | How do you build philosophical conflict into your story? Where do you start? And how do you develop it into your characters and their external actions. Today I’m going to break this all down and make it fully clear in this episode. |
| Endings: The Good, the Bad, and the Insanely Great | By Michael Arndt: I put this lecture together in 2006, when I started work at Pixar on Toy Story 3. It looks at how to write an "insanely great" ending, using Star Wars, The Graduate, and Little Miss Sunshine as examples. 90 minutes |
| Tips for Writing Effective Character Goals | By Jessica Brody (Save the Cat!): Writing character goals is one of the most important jobs of any novelist. But are your character's goals...mushy? |
World Building
- Physical environment: The world is a mix of natural environments, including hillside pine forest, workshop, bedroom, town, village, church, forest, underwater cave, ocean, beach, carnival, Limbo, Dogfish, and various towns and cities.
- Culture: The cultural elements include Geppetto's Italian heritage, fascist propaganda, puppetry, Catholicism, religious artifacts, Italian language, patriotic fervor, and entertainment.
- Society: The societal structures include familial relationships, authority figures like Podestà and Town Priest, a youth camp, wartime military hierarchy, carnival hierarchy, performance hierarchy, and a community structure.
- Technology: The technological aspects include pig-doorbell, guns, paint grenades, power lines, manually powered tools and equipment, truck, searchlights, bomber planes, mines, and confetti-loaded grenades.
- Characters influence: The unique physical environment, culture, society, and technology shape the characters' experiences and actions by influencing their emotions, motivations, and choices. They provide them with opportunities, challenges, and conflicts.
- Narrative contribution: These world elements contribute to the narrative by creating a rich and immersive setting. They establish the time period, cultural context, and societal norms. They also serve as backdrops for character development, plot progression, and conflict resolution.
- Thematic depth contribution: These world elements contribute to the thematic depth of the screenplay by exploring themes such as grief, loss, family, tradition, war, identity, power dynamics, loyalty, sacrifice, patriotism, manipulation, and redemption. They provide a multi-dimensional and thought-provoking exploration of human experiences and emotions.
Screenplay Rating:
Recommend
Executive Summary
The screenplay for 'Pinocchio' is a well-crafted and compelling story that explores themes of family, identity, and the moral complexities of war through the lens of a beloved fairy tale character. The strong character development, particularly in the relationship between Pinocchio and Geppetto, as well as the incorporation of timely social and political commentary, make this screenplay a compelling and thought-provoking work. While there are a few areas for improvement, such as the integration of the carnival subplot and the pacing of the limbo sequences, the overall narrative is engaging and emotionally resonant. The screenplay is recommended for further development and consideration.
Strengths
- The sequence of scenes depicting Pinocchio's introduction to the town and his initial struggle to fit in showcases strong character development and establishes the core conflict of the story. high ( Scene 9 (EXT. TOWN STREETS AND PIAZZA - DAY) Scene 10 (INT. CHURCH) Scene 11 (INT. GEPPETTO WORKSHOP - AFTERNOON) )
- The scenes exploring Pinocchio's relationship with Geppetto, and the father's internal struggle to accept his son, provide emotional depth and authenticity to the characters. high ( Scene 22 (INT. DOCTOR'S HOME - NIGHT) Scene 23 (EXT. BIRCH WOODS - NIGHT) )
- The sequences set in the youth camp effectively build tension and showcase Pinocchio's growing maturity as he navigates the moral complexities of war and loyalty. medium ( Scene 26 (INT. YOUTH CAMP - NIGHT) Scene 32 (INT. YOUTH CAMP - DAY) )
Areas of Improvement
- The introduction of the antagonist, Count Volpe, and the carnival subplot could be more seamlessly integrated into the overall narrative, ensuring a stronger through-line. medium ( Scene 14 (EXT. ROMANESQUE RUINS - SAME) Scene 15 (INT. CHURCH - DAY) )
- The sequences in the limbo realm, while imaginative, could be streamlined to maintain a stronger narrative focus and avoid disrupting the pacing of the overall story. medium ( Scene 20 (INT. EXT. DARKNESS) Scene 21 (INT. LIMBO) )
MissingElements
- While the overall character arcs are well-developed, more insight into Geppetto's emotional journey during the years following Carlo's death could deepen the audience's understanding and investment in the central relationship. medium ( Scene 5 (INT. GEPPETTO WORKSHOP - THE YEARS PASS) )
- The opening sequence could be strengthened by providing more context and foreshadowing for the eventual conflict between Pinocchio and Geppetto, establishing their dynamic earlier in the story. medium ( Scene 1 (EXT. THE HILL - DUSK) )
NotablePoints
- The sequence depicting the conscription of Candlewick and other young boys for the war effort is a powerful and timely commentary on the harsh realities of fascism and its impact on families. high ( Scene 19 (EXT. TOWN BRIDGE - NIGHT) )
- The scene where Pinocchio confronts Count Volpe and stands up for Spazzatura showcases the character's growing sense of morality and independence, foreshadowing his eventual transformation. medium ( Scene 28 (INT. PUPPET THEATER - EVENING) )
- The climactic sequence where Pinocchio sacrifices himself to save Geppetto is a poignant and emotionally impactful moment that solidifies the central theme of the story. high ( Scene 38 (EXT. OCEAN - DAY) )