The Magic Riddle

The Magic Riddle

Year: 1991

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: English

Director: Yoram Gross

Animation

The Magic Riddle is a 1991 Australian animated feature penned and directed by Yoram Gross. Its story weaves together fairy‑tale elements from Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Little Red Riding Hood and Pinocchio, creating a whimsical tale. Actress Robyn Moore supplies the voice of the heroine Cindy and several additional characters.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Magic Riddle (1991)

Trace every key event in The Magic Riddle (1991) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Cindy's life of servitude

Cindy is forced to do all of the housework by her widowed stepmother and her two stepsisters, Bertha and Ertha. The widow keeps Cindy endlessly busy to prevent her from finding Grandfather's will, which would pass the inheritance to Cindy. Phillippe, though smitten with Cindy, is kept in the dark by the widow's schemes.

Opening Widow's house
2

Grandmother's secret visit

One night, an old lady sneaks into the house to finish Cindy's chores for her. She reveals herself to be Cindy's Grandmother, who was kicked out by the widow after Grandfather's death. Ertha witnesses the moment and the Grandmother warns of the widow's dangerous plans.

Night 1 Cindy's house
3

Widow traps Grandmother in the woods

Fearing Grandmother's help in finding the will, the widow disguises herself as a traveling salesman and lures Grandmother toward the Castle of a Hundred Doors, a place with no escape. The widow intends to keep Grandmother from guiding Cindy to the will. The encounter sets the stage for Cindy's further trials.

Night 2 Castle of a Hundred Doors (in the woods)
4

Cindy is chased away from Grandmother's cottage

Cindy arrives at Grandmother's cottage too late and is chased away by a wolf figure, which is actually the widow in disguise. The frightening encounter confirms that the widow is actively thwarting Cindy's search for the will. Ertha's earlier warnings begin to feel tragically real.

Night 2 Grandmother's cottage
5

Lakeside confession and Phillippe's token

Cindy sits by a lake and confides her hopes to an ugly duckling, unaware that Phillippe is listening nearby. Phillippe reveals himself and gives her a ring as a token of his affection. Their moment is interrupted when the widow orders Cindy back to her chores.

Daytime Lake near Grandmother's cottage
6

Discovery of the wolf disguise

In the barn, Cindy discovers the widow's wolf costume and realizes the extent of the deception she faces. Bertha's jealousy surfaces as she blames Cindy for pigs escaping the farm, highlighting the petty rivalries in the household. Ertha urges Cindy to escape toward Grandmother's cottage for safety.

Day Barn
7

Escape toward Grandmother's cottage

Heeding Ertha's advice, Cindy runs toward Grandmother's cottage to seek safety and help. The escape marks a pivot point in her journey as she leaves the widow's house behind. Along the way, she clings to hope that the Grandmother's old magical alliances might still help her.

Evening Path to Grandmother's cottage
8

Dwarfs and Pinocchio awaken

At Grandmother's cottage, Cindy discovers seven wooden dwarfs and a wooden Pinocchio. When she kisses them, they come alive and explain that the widow has taken Grandmother away. The magical helpers pledge to aid Cindy in her quest for the will.

Night Grandmother's cottage
9

Masked ball scheme

The widow plans to lure Cindy back by hosting a masked ball. The dwarfs create a disguise for Cindy, but they warn that her snow mask will melt at midnight, adding urgency to the rescue mission. The event promises Cindy a chance to see Phillippe again.

Evening Widow's house
10

Midnight escape from the ball

At the ball, Cindy's disguise works and she gets to dance with Phillippe. Ertha and Pinocchio also dance, but when the clock strikes twelve, Cindy's mask melts and she must flee, with her friends in pursuit.

Midnight Widow's house
11

Return to the Castle and the trail out

The pursuit leads toward the Castle of a Hundred Doors as Phillippe and the dwarfs join the growing search. The widow's tricks lead them toward a larger maze of danger, but Grandmother remains the beacon they follow. The group gathers and resolves to return to the cottage together.

Following night Castle of a Hundred Doors
12

Widow's cottage transformation and the sleep spell

The widow returns to the cottage in a new disguise as Pinocchio's mother and hypnotizes Cindy with a magic apple to fall asleep. In the confusion, the widow accidentally falls into a well, creating an opening for the others to regroup. Pinocchio then joins the others in the continuing quest.

Night Cottage
13

The will revealed and the morning reunion

Grandmother is found, and the group follows the trail back to the cottage. Cindy awakens to a kiss from Phillippe, and Grandmother explains the will's true home. The riddle reveals that the will resides inside Pinocchio's nose, confirming Cindy's rightful inheritance.

Morning Cottage
14

Wedding and final magic

Cindy and Phillippe's wedding takes place at what used to be the widow's house. The dwarfs and Pinocchio revert to wood at the celebration, but Ertha's kiss revives Pinocchio, and he stays with her in a happy ending that confirms Cindy's inheritance and the union of the two lovers.

Post-wedding Widow's house

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:01

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The Magic Riddle Summary

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The Magic Riddle Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Magic Riddle

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