Pinocchio in Outer Space (1965)

Why so much hype?

To me, this movie is perfection.

Powerful

How sad is this?

Like others I've read, Pinocchio in Space was as early and positive science fiction experience for me. In 1964 the New York World's Fair was just beginning with all its future exhibits, the space race was heating up and I was watching Astroboy. It was a great time my imagination was ignited. This film helped do that more. I am not going to give away any plot spoilers but note that some scenes are mentioned in the next paragraphs.The theme of a destroyed but great culture undone by its technology was haunting. Giant creatures jumping out at me was also a new experience. Back then I had not seen Forbidden Planet but watching Pinocchio now I note that the walk through towering Martian technology is strongly reminiscent of the still functioning Krell laboratory depicted in the 1955 classic. Even some of the sound effects are similar.I also find it fun that the film makers tried also to be educational by adding various space facts while admonishing children to apply themselves to school. In short it was a lot of fun, especially Arnold Stang as "Nurtle the Turtle" an alternative to Jiminy Cricket. (I can not say all the shows I have heard his voice in but others of my generation will know him.) Of course the film also improbably mixes in fantasy and magic, including a whale who can propel himself through space with his spout. But for me it all worked. Probably a bit dated for older kids today but the young and the young in heart will still enjoy this animated morality tale.

I saw this on the big screen. It changed my life. Well, OK. Perhaps I would have become a Sci-Fi fan anyway, but at age six, this was the coolest thing I had ever seen. I should note that when this came out, I still thought Clutch Cargo was at least moderately cool. Years after I had seen it, I had dreams about it. As an adult, I remembered this little tale whenever I saw a reference to "Pinocchio". (Disney tosses them around like beads at Mardi Gras) It was so obscure that I thought I might have dreamed it up myself. I was excited to have unearthed this gem and bring it into the light of today. I think it might be fun to see this again just for the nostalgia. Then again, I've listened to some of the music I liked so much back then and found it just... scary. Perhaps this should remain wrapped in the rose colored cloak of the past as my first full length, animated, Sci-fi feature film. For that alone, I'll give it six stars.

I remember being amazed when I saw this aired on television in 1978 and am glad to have it on DVD! I tend towards science fiction and so I gravitated more to this non-Disney like approach to the wooden little boy story! Space ships, left over alien technology, alien intelligence (Murtle?), mutant monsters, space flying whale (Monstro!), memorable songs, good, very good, animation and design and just overall a very enjoyable and most worthy of praise for the people who all worked to bring this project through!!! My recommendations for any age! There should have been more science fiction type animated movies with even this level of animation( which is in actuality very, very skillful and superb)I distinctly remember from the documentary contained in the DVD that this is not a product of the United States. Which is also an amazing fact. There could have been other animation houses doing more interesting work than from warner bros., Disney, hanna barbera, and other animation companies....

wow i was beginning to think i'd imagined the whole thing. i actually did see this in the 70's as a child , i was beginning to think this was some sort of shared delusion with my brother.....i'm glad it's real ;)