Anyone else think Pinocchio is one of the most disturbing Disney films?

[TripeAtFourPence]

Just watching it with my son now and omg I'd forgotten how disturbing it is!! I remember being frightened of monstro the whale as a child but omg I'd completely forgotten about 'pleasure island' all those little boys being tricked into a life of abuse and slavery (as donkeys) and no hope of escape!! The scene where Pinocchio is playing pool with his friend (didn't catch his name) and the friend begins to transform. Fighting desperately against it, begging hopelessly for help! The scene where his hands clawing at Pinocchio turn into hoofs and then you see his shadow as he is finally forced onto all four hooves while he screams for his mum. His last words before losing his fight and kicking out in complete utter panic.
My god, it's fucked me up 😱.

*in a pram

I don't remember the film but I did read the book several times as a kid (translated of course; I was never a languages prodigy!) And I did feel there was something a bit about the Playland and the donkeys bit. Does that mean kids aren't allowed to play or have fun? (Although there may be a message there about how the commercialisation of play hijacks kids' learning...)

I only realised recently what the twist is to the ending. Pinocchio has wanted to be a real boy all his life, and spends the whole story behaving like a real and wayward child, but he only gets his wish once he starts to understand and behave like a responsible adult.

A pp recommended Jordan Peterson's lecture about this film on YouTube. It's fascinating. He uses the film to explain many of the theories and ideas of the psychoanalyst Carl Jung.

I don't know to what extent the film makers had any of this in mind, but once you watch the lecture you'll never see the film in the same way again.

All Disney films are quite sinister I think, the older type anyway! It is by Disney isn't it?

I remembered my Pinocchio VHS box well, the picture was raised and it had lights, you pressed a button and they would flash.

The pleasure island scene is something that until this thread I couldn't decide if I had made up!
I remember being older and watching it for that scene, thinking it couldn't be right, and missing it.

I'm sure I've watched the film with dc's but can't think of seeing that scene as an adult.

The BBC adaptation was stuff of nightmares I was terrified

Oh god what the hell @EnthusiasmIsDisturbed 

@crispsahoy that is very weird!! You definitely hadn't made it up though...maybe you were so traumatised by the whole thing that your subconscious mind blacks it out

@crispsahoy I remember that video box!!

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (not Disney, I know) has some really scary bits: I recently saw it for the first time. "Lollipops, children, all free today!"

The onus was once very much upon children to keep themselves safe. Foolish, irresponsible, silly children got themselves abducted / drowned / killed. Sensible children did not.

I'm not too sure when it changed, to be honest.

Neither myself or my children ever got into this one, glad we didn't now!!

I only watched it for the first time as an adult and was profoundly upset by that scene, but I thought I was just being a bit over-sensitive, I'm glad I'm not the only one who found it disturbing!

I absolutely hate that film.

Yes! I have always said this and usually get funny looks when I do. I knew I was right. It makes me feel sick, and all run down fairgrounds remind me of it! Dumbo is next on the list.

I really dislike Pinnochio and even DD now knows not to suggest putting it on (she's not bothered by all the things I hate about it).

It’s fucked up.
I used to have nightmares about the “grabby trees” in Snow White when I was little. We went to EuroDisney when I was about 4, and there was a Snow White ride where you travelled through the story on a floaty train thing....and it led you straight through the forest with the “grabby trees” I was completely traumatised. Also had a thing about the trees in Athens Wizard Of Oz with the creepy faces who pelt Dorothy and the scarecrow with apples Maybe I just have issues with trees

I don't feel comfortable watching anything where humans behave involuntarily animal-like (I mean in a forced way if that makes sense??!) and I think it stems from this scene. Like the pig people in that doctor who episode (I never actually watched it, I avoided it because I'd seen the trailers with them in). The hooves instead of hands part is the freakiest part I think.

I remember really feeling Pinocchio's horror and despair while he's locked in his cage.

I've shown my kids practically all the Disney films except that and Dumbo. Hate em both

I watched it for the first time since being a child the other day and I was horrified at it.. it's truly awful on that island.

I don't think I'll be letting DD watch it ha.

I'm half way the YouTube videos and realised I am so thick.

As for pinocchio I love the way it is drawn but the story is just horrible.

I do not like most of the old Disney movies, though it's not surprising they are creepy as the original fairy tales they are based on are horrifying!

And Yes, Return to Oz was the stuff of nightmares with the Wheelers.

I remember being read the original story as quite a small child. It absolutely terrified me. Disney actually lightened it up!! I remember Pinocchio getting his feet burnt off and being hung and left for dead...is that in the film?? Definitely in the story. He also kills the Cricket.

Mine loved Pinocchio, I think they are all a bit dark if you actually delve deep enough.
Look at all the subliminal messages, and some of the very early Mickey Mouse films were very scary.

yup I've always thought this OP