Pinocchio: A True Story

Pinocchio: A True Story

Year: 2021

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: Russian

Director: Vasily Rovensky

Echo Score: 10

Budget: $358M

AnimationFamilyFantasy

The story follows the true legend of Pinocchio as he comes to life. The young puppet runs away from his brilliant creator, Jepetto, and embarks on an adventure. Accompanied by his horse, Tibalt, he sets out to explore the world and joins a traveling circus led by the charismatic but deceptive Modjafocco.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Pinocchio: A True Story yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Pinocchio: A True Story (2021)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Pinocchio: A True Story (2021). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Geppetto's Workshop, Circus

Geppetto's workshop is the birthplace of Pinocchio, where he is crafted and kept away from a world that fears talking puppets. The traveling circus, run by Mangiafuoco, provides the stage where Pinocchio tests his courage, discovers love, and confronts danger. These two settings anchor the story's contrasts between intimate invention and public spectacle.

🧰 Workshop 🎪 Circus

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:04

Main Characters – Pinocchio: A True Story (2021)

Meet the key characters of Pinocchio: A True Story (2021), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Pinocchio (Pauly Shore)

Pinocchio is a wooden puppet blessed by the fairy Lucilda to talk and move like a real boy. He longs to see the world and to become real, and he navigates fame on the circus stage with Bella's blossoming affection. His journey culminates in a selfless act that proves his humanity and earns him a real body.

🎭 Protagonist 💫 Dreamer

Geppetto (Anton Eldarov)

Geppetto is a compassionate inventor who creates Pinocchio and protects him, hiding him from a world that doesn't understand talking puppets. He collaborates with Tybalt and Bella to navigate danger and defend Pinocchio's humanity. His loyalty drives the plan to reveal Mangiafuoco's crimes and ensure Pinocchio's safety.

🧰 Inventor 👨 Father

Tybalt (Diomid Vinogradov)

Tybalt is Pinocchio's talking horse ally who acts as his talent agent in the circus. He is loyal and quick-witted, helping Pinocchio navigate danger and escape threats. He supports Pinocchio's growth and participates in the plan to reveal the circus owner's crimes.

🐴 Ally 🤝 Loyal

Bella (Eliza Martirosova)

Bella is an acrobat in Mangiafuoco's circus and Pinocchio's love interest. She is strong, resourceful, and initially rejects Pinocchio before joining his effort to expose Mangiafuoco. Her tears and support influence the climactic moments of the story.

💃 Acrobat 💖 Love interest

Lucilda (Irina Kireeva)

Lucilda is the fairy who blesses Pinocchio so he can speak and move like a real boy. She teaches that humanity comes from acting human, and she guides Pinocchio on his journey toward realness.

🧚 Fairy ✨ Guide

Mangiafuoco

Mangiafuoco is the circus owner and main antagonist who recruits Pinocchio and orchestrates thefts. He tries to force Pinocchio to perform and provokes the conflict that leads to the circus fire, ultimately facing exposure and arrest.

🎪 Circus Boss 🦹 Villain

Detective

A detective investigating a string of crimes arrests Pinocchio and later helps bring Mangiafuoco and his accomplices to justice. The investigation reveals a personal connection when Bella is revealed to be the detective's long-lost daughter.

🕵️ Detective 🕊️ Justice

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:04

Major Themes – Pinocchio: A True Story (2021)

Explore the central themes of Pinocchio: A True Story (2021), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌟 Humanity

Pinocchio's humanity is not granted by being made of flesh but by his actions. The fairy Lucilda explains that he becomes real through acts of humanity, not by magic alone. He risks his life to save Bella and to expose Mangiafuoco's crimes, demonstrating compassion and courage. The story frames humanity as a virtue earned through selflessness rather than innate essence.

🎭 Identity

Pinocchio grapples with what it means to be real: a wooden puppet who can speak and feel, versus a true person. The circus world tests his identity as performer and friend, blurring lines between persona and authenticity. The revelation that realness comes from acting human reframes the entire journey. The ending shows his transformation as both inner choice and outward action.

🛡️ Sacrifice

Self-sacrifice drives the climax: Pinocchio saves Bella from the burning tent and appears dead, only to be revived by a tear. This moment frames sacrifice as proof of humanity and courage. The collective plan by Geppetto, Tybalt, and Bella to expose Mangiafuoco underlines loyalty and teamwork. The resolution suggests that real power lies in protecting others, not in personal gain.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:04

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Pinocchio: A True Story Summary

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Pinocchio: A True Story Summary

Pinocchio: A True Story Timeline

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Pinocchio: A True Story Timeline

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Pinocchio: A True Story Spoiler-Free Summary

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