{{short description|Comic album by Belgian cartoonist Hergé}}
[[File:Le tresor de rackham le rouge.png|alt=Red Rackham's Treasure |thumb|Red Rackham's Treasure]]
{{good article}}
'''Red Rackham's Treasure''' (French: ''Le Trésor de Rackham le Rouge'') is the twelfth volume of ''The Adventures of Tintin'', the iconic comic series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. Serialized daily in Belgium's ''Le Soir'' newspaper from February to September 1943 during the German occupation of Belgium in World War II, the story continues the adventure begun in ''The Secret of the Unicorn''. In this installment, Tintin and Captain Haddock embark on an expedition to the Caribbean to locate the treasure of the infamous pirate Red Rackham.
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2013}}
{{Infobox graphic novel
|title=Red Rackham's Treasure
|foreigntitle={{lang|fr|Le Trésor de Rackham le Rouge}}
|image=The Adventures of Tintin - 12 - Red Rackham's Treasure.jpg
|alt=Tintin and Snowy are riding in Calculus' shark submarine, marveling at the marine life around them.
|caption=Cover of the English edition
|publisher=[[Casterman]]
|date=1944
|series=''[[The Adventures of Tintin]]''
|creator=[[Hergé]]
|origlanguage=French
|origpublication={{lang|fr|[[Le Soir]]}}
|origdate=19 February 1943 – 23 September 1943
|origisbn=<!-- ISBN was not created until 1965 -->
|transpublisher=[[Methuen Publishing|Methuen]]
|transdate=1959
|transisbn=<!-- ISBN was not created until 1965 -->
|translator={{plainlist|
* Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper
* Michael Turner}}
|previous=''[[The Secret of the Unicorn]]''
|previous-date=1943
|next=''[[The Seven Crystal Balls]]''
|next-date=1948
}}
'''''Red Rackham's Treasure''''' ({{langx|fr|link=no|'''Le Trésor de Rackham le Rouge'''}}) is the twelfth volume of ''[[The Adventures of Tintin]]'', the comics series by Belgian cartoonist [[Hergé]]. The story was serialised daily in {{lang|fr|[[Le Soir]]}}, Belgium's leading francophone newspaper, from February to September 1943 amidst the [[German occupation of Belgium during World War II]]. Completing an arc begun in ''[[The Secret of the Unicorn]]'', the story tells of young reporter [[Tintin (character)|Tintin]] and his friend [[Captain Haddock]] as they launch an expedition to the Caribbean to locate the treasure of the pirate [[Red Rackham]].
''Red Rackham's Treasure'' was a commercial success and was published in book form by [[Casterman]] the year following its conclusion. Hergé continued ''The Adventures of Tintin'' with ''[[The Seven Crystal Balls]]'', while the series itself became a defining part of the [[Franco-Belgian comics|Franco-Belgian comics tradition]]. ''Red Rackham's Treasure'' has been cited as one of the most important installments in the series for marking the first appearance of eccentric scientist [[Professor Calculus|Cuthbert Calculus]], who subsequently became a core character. The story was adapted for the 1957 [[Belvision Studios|Belvision]] animated series ''[[Hergé's Adventures of Tintin]]'', the 1991 [[Ellipse Programmé|Ellipse]]/[[Nelvana]] animated series ''[[The Adventures of Tintin (TV series)|The Adventures of Tintin]]'', the 1992-3 [[BBC Radio 5 (former)|BBC Radio 5]] dramatisation of the ''Adventures'', the feature film ''[[The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn]]'' (2011) directed by [[Steven Spielberg]], and the film's [[The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn (video game)|tie-in video game]].
A critical and commercial success, ''Red Rackham's Treasure'' was published as a standalone volume by Casterman in 1944. It is notable for introducing Professor Cuthbert Calculus, who would become one of the series' most beloved recurring characters. The story has been adapted into multiple formats, including animated series, radio dramatizations, and the 2011 feature film ''The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn''.
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==Synopsis==
=== Plot Summary ===
The story follows Tintin and Captain Haddock as they prepare to search for the treasure of Red Rackham, a 17th-century pirate defeated by Haddock's ancestor, Sir Francis Haddock. Using coordinates from parchments found in the preceding volume, the duo believe the treasure lies near the sunken ship ''Unicorn'' in the Caribbean. Joined by the detectives Thomson and Thompson, they sail aboard the ''Sirius'', a fishing trawler. They are also unexpectedly accompanied by Professor Cuthbert Calculus, an eccentric and hard-of-hearing inventor who stows away with his experimental shark-shaped submarine.
:''The synopsis continues a plot begun in ''[[The Secret of the Unicorn]]''.''
Upon arriving at the indicated coordinates, they discover no island in sight. Tintin realizes the discrepancy is due to the Paris Meridian being used in the original chart calculations rather than the Greenwich Meridian. After correcting their position, they find an uncharted island, along with evidence of Sir Francis Haddock's stay, including a statue of the ancestor and parrots repeating Haddockian insults.
[[Tintin (character)|Tintin]] and his friend [[Captain Haddock]] plan an expedition to the [[West Indies]] aboard a [[fishing trawler]], the ''Sirius'', to search for the treasure of the pirate [[Red Rackham]]. Having previously read three parchments authored by Haddock's ancestor, [[Sir Francis Haddock]], the duo had discovered the coordinates to what they believe is the treasure aboard the sunken 17th century vessel, the [[Unicorn (Tintin)|''Unicorn'']], near an unknown island. An eccentric, hard-of-hearing inventor named [[Professor Calculus|Professor Cuthbert Calculus]] offers to aid them with the use of his shark-shaped one-man submarine, but they decline his assistance. Setting sail, they are joined by the police detectives [[Thomson and Thompson]] and soon discover that Calculus has stowed away on board, bringing his submarine with him.{{sfn|Hergé|1959|pp=1–23}}
Using Calculus' submarine, they locate the wreck of the ''Unicorn'' and recover artifacts, but the treasure remains elusive. Among the salvaged items is a strongbox revealing that Sir Francis Haddock was the owner of Marlinspike Hall. Upon returning to Belgium, Calculus purchases the estate with funds from his submarine patent and gifts it to Haddock. Tintin solves the final mystery when he deciphers a cryptic message from the parchments. The treasure is hidden within a globe beneath a statue of Saint John in Marlinspike's cellars. After recovering Red Rackham's treasure, Haddock hosts an exhibition of the recovered artifacts at Marlinspike Hall.
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When they reach the coordinates shown on the parchments, there is no island in sight. Frustrated, Haddock ponders turning back, but Tintin soon realizes the problem: If Sir Francis had used a French chart instead of an English chart to calculate the position, the coordinates would have been measured on the [[Paris Meridian]] rather than the [[Greenwich Meridian]]. As they have been using the Greenwich Meridian, they realise that they are too far west.
=== Background and Development ===
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-125-0251-08A, Belgien, Einmarsch deutscher Truppen.jpg|thumb|Nazi German soldiers in eastern Belgium in 1940. ''Red Rackham's Treasure'' and ''The Secret of the Unicorn'' were both written while Belgium was under German occupation.]]
After traveling to the correct position, they discover an uncharted island, which is located about {{convert|230|km|abbr=on}} north of Punta Cana ([[Dominican Republic]]) and {{convert|286|km|abbr=on}} East-South-East of Cockburn Town (Location of 20°37'42.0"N 70°52'15.0"W adjusted by 2° 20′ 14.02500″ E for the Paris Meridian). There, they find a statue of Sir Francis Haddock and other evidence, including parrots who still use Haddock insults handed down from Sir Francis. Tintin deduces that Francis Haddock had taken refuge on the island and that the wreck of the ''Unicorn'' must be nearby. They locate the wreck using Calculus' submarine and recover various artefacts from it, but do not find the treasure. Among the artefacts is a strongbox containing old documents revealing that Sir Francis Haddock had been the owner of the country estate [[Marlinspike Hall]].
==== Wartime Serialization ====
''Red Rackham's Treasure'' was created during the German occupation of Belgium in World War II. Hergé serialized the story in ''Le Soir'', a Nazi-controlled newspaper. The occupation forced him to adopt a policy of political neutrality, shifting his focus from overtly political narratives to character-driven adventures and humor. Despite its context, the story was widely acclaimed and reached a broad audience.
Back in Belgium, Calculus purchases the Hall, using funds from the sale of his submarine design, and gives it to Haddock. Tintin and Haddock search the house's cellars, where Tintin spots a statue of Saint [[John the Evangelist]] holding a cross with a globe and eagle at its feet. Tintin suddenly remembers that Francis Haddock's original three parchments said, "For 'tis from the light that light will dawn, and then shines forth the Eagle's cross" and realises that this message referred, not to the location of the ''Unicorn'', but to Saint John "the eagle": his traditional symbol. Tintin locates the island on the globe, presses a secret button which he finds there, and discovers Red Rackham's treasure hidden inside. Sometime later, Haddock hosts an exhibition of the treasure and several ''Unicorn'' artefacts in Marlinspike Hall.{{sfn|Hergé|1959|pp=24–62}}
==== Connection to ''The Secret of the Unicorn'' ====
The story forms the second part of a two-volume arc, following ''The Secret of the Unicorn''. This arc marked a departure from earlier episodic adventures, creating a tightly interwoven narrative that further developed the world of Tintin. Critics praised the cohesion and pacing of the two-part story.
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==History==
=== Influences and Design ===
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 102-13738, Auguste Piccard.jpg|thumb|upright|Calculus was visually based upon the scientist Auguste Piccard.[[File:Pierre Assouline-2009.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Photograph of a man, Pierre Assouline, seated with a microphone in his hand.|Hergé biographer Pierre Assouline believes ''Red Rackham's Treasure'' "reveal[s] Hergé at a new level in his art".]]]]
===Background===
==== Introduction of Professor Calculus ====
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-125-0251-08A, Belgien, Einmarsch deutscher Truppen.jpg|thumb|[[Nazi German]] soldiers in eastern Belgium in 1940. ''Red Rackham's Treasure'' and ''The Secret of the Unicorn'' were both written while Belgium was under German occupation.]]
Professor Cuthbert Calculus, introduced in this volume, became a core character in the series. His deafness was inspired by a colleague Hergé had worked with, while his physical appearance was modeled on the Swiss scientist Auguste Piccard, famous for exploring the stratosphere. The character added a rich vein of humor and eccentricity to the series.
''Red Rackham's Treasure'' was serialized amidst the [[German occupation of Belgium during World War II]]. Hergé had accepted a position working for {{lang|fr|[[Le Soir]]}}, Belgium's largest Francophone daily newspaper. Confiscated from its original owners, {{lang|fr|Le Soir}} was permitted by the German authorities to reopen under the directorship of Belgian editor [[Raymond de Becker]], although it remained firmly under Nazi control, supporting the German war effort and espousing [[antisemitism|anti-Semitism]].{{sfnm|1a1=Assouline|1y=2009|1pp=70–71|2a1=Peeters|2y=2012|2pp=116–118}} After joining {{lang|fr|Le Soir}} on 15 October 1940, Hergé became editor of its new children's supplement, {{lang|fr|Le Soir Jeunesse}}, with the help of an old friend, Paul Jamin, and the cartoonist [[Jacques Van Melkebeke]], before paper shortages forced ''Tintin'' to be serialised daily in the main pages of {{lang|fr|Le Soir}}.{{sfnm|1a1=Assouline|1y=2009|1p=72|2a1=Peeters|2y=2012|2pp=120–121}} Some Belgians were upset that Hergé was willing to work for a newspaper controlled by the occupying Nazi administration,{{sfnm|1a1=Goddin|1y=2009|1p=73|2a1=Assouline|2y=2009|2p=72}} although he was heavily enticed by the size of ''{{lang|fr|Le Soir}}'''s readership, which numbered some 600,000.{{sfnm|1a1=Assouline|1y=2009|1p=73|2a1=Peeters|2y=2012|p=121}} Faced with the reality of Nazi oversight, Hergé abandoned the overt political themes that had pervaded much of his earlier work, instead adopting a policy of neutrality.{{sfnm|1a1=Thompson|1y=1991|1p=99|2a1=Farr|2y=2001|2p=95}} Entertainment producer and author [[Harry Thompson]] observed that, without the need to satirise political types, "Hergé was now concentrating more on plot and on developing a new style of character comedy. The public reacted positively".{{sfn|Thompson|1991|p=99}}
==== Technical and Historical Research ====
The story showcases Hergé's commitment to accuracy. Calculus' submarine was inspired by a real American prototype, while the diving equipment and trawler were based on detailed research and photographs. The design of the ''Unicorn'' was influenced by images of the ''Vasa'', a 17th-century Swedish ship.
''Red Rackham's Treasure'' was the second half of a two-part story arc which had begun with the previous adventure, ''[[The Secret of the Unicorn]]''. This arc was the first that Hergé had produced since ''[[Cigars of the Pharaoh]]'' and ''[[The Blue Lotus]]'' (1934–36).{{sfn|Thompson|1991|p=112}} However, as Tintin expert [[Michael Farr]] related, whereas ''Cigars of the Pharaoh'' and ''The Blue Lotus'' had been largely "self-sufficient and self-contained", the connection between ''The Secret of the Unicorn'' and ''Red Rackham's Treasure'' is far closer.{{sfn|Farr|2001|p=105}}
==== Symbolism and Themes ====
The treasure hunt serves as both a literal and symbolic quest, connecting Haddock to his ancestry. Religious elements, such as the statue of Saint John, underscore themes of discovery and redemption. The narrative also reflects Hergé's fascination with exploration and historical mysteries.
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===Influences===
=== Reception and Legacy ===
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 102-13738, Auguste Piccard.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Calculus was visually based upon the scientist [[Auguste Piccard]].]]
''Red Rackham's Treasure'' was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It marked a pivotal moment in the series by solidifying the core group of characters—Tintin, Haddock, Calculus, and Snowy—and establishing Marlinspike Hall as their home base. Hergé biographer Benoît Peeters described it as an "unforgettable book," while Pierre Assouline noted its significance in elevating Hergé's artistry.
''Red Rackham's Treasure'' introduced Professor Cuthbert Calculus to ''The Adventures of Tintin'', who became a recurring character.{{sfn|Peeters|1989|p=76}} Hergé had made use of various eccentric professors in earlier volumes of the series, such as Sophocles Sarcophagus in ''Cigars of the Pharaoh'', Hector Alembick in ''[[King Ottokar's Sceptre]]'', and Decimus Phostle in ''[[The Shooting Star]]'', all of whom prefigure the arrival of Calculus.{{sfn|Peeters|2012|p=147}} The character's deafness had been inspired by a colleague whom Hergé had worked with years earlier at ''[[Le Vingtième Siècle]]''.{{sfn|Goddin|2009|p=119}} Visually, Calculus was based on a real scientist, the Swiss inventor [[Auguste Piccard]], who had been the first man to explore the [[stratosphere]] in a [[hot air balloon]] in 1931. Hergé had observed Piccard walking about Brussels on a number of occasions, however the character of Calculus would be notably much shorter than Piccard.{{sfnm|1a1=Thompson|1y=1991|1p=118|2a1=Farr|2y=2001|2p=105|3a1=Assouline|3y=2009|3p=91|4a1=Peeters|4y=2012|4p=147}} Hergé named this character Tryphon Tournesol; while the surname meant "[[sunflower]]", the forename was adopted from a carpenter named Tryphon Beckaert whom Hergé had encountered in [[Watermael-Boitsfort|Boitsfort]].{{sfn|Farr|2001|p=106}} Tryphon Tournesol was later renamed Cuthbert Calculus in the English translation and Balduin Bienlein (meaning "Little Bee") for the German translation.{{sfn|Farr|2001|p=106}}
Harry Thompson characterized the story as the beginning of Tintin's transformation from a reporter into an explorer, reflecting the political and cultural climate of the 1940s. Despite some critiques of its coloring in later editions, the narrative has been praised for its humor, pacing, and character dynamics.
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Calculus' shark-shaped submarine was visually based on a real American submarine; Hergé had seen a picture of this in a German newspaper.{{sfnm|1a1=Thompson|1y=1991|1p=119|2a1=Farr|2y=2001|2p=112}} The diving suit worn in the story was also based on clippings that Hergé had accumulated. Similarly, the dockside bar depicted by the cartoonist was based on an illustration that he had collected.{{Sfn|Farr|2001|p=112}} The shop where Haddock and Tintin buy the diving equipment, including the suit, was inspired from a picture of a bar which was featured in the German magazine, ''[[Berliner Illustrirte Zeitung]]''.{{Sfn|Farr|2001|p=112}} The tribal effigy found on a Caribbean island by Sir Francis Haddock was based on a [[Bamileke people|Bamileke]] tribal statue from Cameroon that Hergé saw in a museum.{{sfn|Thompson|1991|p=119}} The ''Sirius'', which had appeared before in ''The Shooting Star'', was named after the ''[[SS Sirius (1837)|SS Sirius]]'', the first ship to cross the Atlantic Ocean solely under [[steam power]], but was visually based upon the design of a [[Fishing trawler|trawler]], the ''John-O.88''. Hergé had sketched this ship in [[Ostend]] docks before obtaining both detailed plans of the trawler from the builders, Jos Boel & Son, and a small-scale model of it from a collector.{{sfnm|1a1=Farr|1y=2001|1p=111|2a1=Horeau|2y=2004|2p=22|3a1=Goddin|3y=2009|3p=120}} The undersea wreck of the ''Unicorn'' was loosely inspired by images of the wreck of a 17th-century Swedish vessel, the ''[[Vasa (ship)|Vasa]]'', which Hergé had collected.{{sfn|Horeau|2004|p=30}} The instance in the story in which a shark swallows a large box (that the characters hope contains the treasure) is based on a real account of a shark that swallowed a camera from the American underwater photographer [[Otis Barton]], which Hergé had encountered in a French illustrated magazine.{{sfn|Farr|2001|p=112}}
=== Adaptations ===
''Red Rackham's Treasure'' has been adapted into multiple media:
The brief appearance of Dr. Daumière, who warns Haddock to cease drinking alcohol, was an allusion to Hergé's own physician, Dr. Daumerie.{{sfn|Goddin|2009|p=120}}{{efn|In the English translation, Dr Daumière becomes Doctor A. Leech.{{sfn|Hergé|1959|p=11}} }} Hergé made a comical reference to the French comedian [[Sacha Guitry]] in the story by advertising a play by Guitry titled ''Me'' in which Guitry himself plays every role.{{sfn|Lofficier|Lofficier|2002|p=54}}{{efn|Haddock walks into a post on which is a poster for this play, on page 2.}}
# '''Belvision Animated Series (1957)''': Adapted as part of ''Hergé's Adventures of Tintin'', this early series featured daily five-minute episodes.
# '''Ellipse/Nelvana Animated Series (1991)''': The story was faithfully adapted into a half-length episode, praised for its visual fidelity to Hergé's original panels.
# '''Radio Adaptation (1992-1993)''': The BBC Radio 5 dramatization brought the story to an auditory audience with engaging performances.
# '''Feature Film (2011)''': Steven Spielberg's motion-capture film ''The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn'' incorporated elements of ''Red Rackham's Treasure'', blending it with ''The Secret of the Unicorn'' and ''The Crab with the Golden Claws''.
# '''Video Game Tie-In (2011)''': Released alongside Spielberg's film, the game expanded on the cinematic adaptation's narrative.
===Publication===
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[[File:Haddock on the island, Red Rackham's Treasure.jpg|thumb|right|Hergé deemed this frame from the story to be one of his two favourites from the entire ''Adventures of Tintin''.]]
''Le Trésor De Rackham Le Rouge'' began serialisation as a daily strip in ''Le Soir'' from 19 February 1943.{{sfnm|1a1=Lofficier|1a2=Lofficier|1y=2002|1p=52|2a1=Goddin|2y=2009|2p=116}} The title of the new adventure had been announced in an advertisement in the newspaper two days previously.{{sfn|Goddin|2009|p=116}} In Belgium, it was then published in a 62-page book format by [[Casterman|Editions Casterman]] in 1944.{{sfn|Lofficier|Lofficier|2002|p=52}} ''Red Rackham's Treasure'' contained one of Hergé's two favourite illustrations from ''The Adventures of Tintin''. It combines three actions encapsulating a sequence of events into one drawing: Haddock striding up the beach in the foreground, Tintin, Thomson and Thompson bringing the rowboat ashore in the midground, and the ''Sirius'' weighing anchor in the background.{{sfn|Thompson|1991|pp=119–120}}{{efn|The illustration is in the upper left frame on page 25.{{sfn|Hergé|1959|p=25}}}}
=== Cultural Impact ===
''Red Rackham's Treasure'' remains one of the most beloved volumes in ''The Adventures of Tintin''. Its introduction of Professor Calculus and the establishment of Marlinspike Hall have had a lasting influence on the series' legacy. Celebrated for its humor, adventure, and meticulous detail, the story continues to captivate readers of all ages, affirming its place as a cornerstone of the Franco-Belgian comics tradition.
Rather than immediately embark on the creation of a new Tintin adventure, Hergé agreed to a proposal that ''Le Soir''{{'s}} crime writer, Paul Kinnet, would author a detective story featuring Thomson and Thompson. The story was titled ''Dupont et Dupond, détectives'' (''Thomson and Thompson, Detectives''), and was illustrated by Hergé.{{sfnm|1a1=Goddin|1y=2009|1pp=128, 130|2a1=Assouline|2y=2009|2p=94}}
''The Secret of the Unicorn'' and ''Red Rackham's Treasure'' were the first two ''Adventures of Tintin'' to be published in standalone English-language translations for the British market, as ''[[King Ottokar's Sceptre]]'' had previously been serialised in ''[[Eagle (British comics)|Eagle]]'' in 1951. Published by Casterman in 1952, these two editions sold poorly and have since become rare collector's items.{{sfnm|1a1=Thompson|1y=1991|1p=121|2a1=Farr|2y=2001|2p=106}} They would be republished for the British market seven years later, this time by [[Methuen Publishing|Methuen]] with translations provided by Michael Turner and Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper.{{sfn|Farr|2001|p=106}} Farr reported that ''Red Rackham's Treasure'' is the best-selling story in ''The Adventures of Tintin'',{{sfn|Farr|2001|p=105}} while Harry Thompson referred to ''The Secret of the Unicorn''-''Red Rackham's Treasure'' arc as "the most successful of all Tintin's adventures".{{sfn|Thompson|1991|p=113}}
==Critical analysis==
Harry Thompson stated that the ''Secrets of the Unicorn''-''Red Rackham's Treasure'' arc marked the beginning of the third and central stage of "Tintin's career". He furthermore stated that in these two stories, Tintin has been converted from a reporter into an explorer to cope with the new political climate.{{sfn|Thompson|1991|p=112}} He stated that in this story, Hergé "abandons the complex plotting of ''The Secret of the Unicorn'' in favour of an episodic style of adventure not seen since the early books".{{sfn|Thompson|1991|p=118}} Thompson further draws attention to the arrival of Calculus in the story, describing him as the "third and final member" of Tintin's "family".{{sfn|Thompson|1991|p=118}} Thompson was critical of the use of colour in the story, stating that much of it looks better in black-and-white, as it was originally printed in ''Le Soir''.{{sfn|Thompson|1991|p=120}}
[[File:Pierre Assouline-2009.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Photograph of a man, Pierre Assouline, seated with a microphone in his hand.|Hergé biographer [[Pierre Assouline]] believes ''Red Rackham's Treasure'' "reveal[s] Hergé at a new level in his art".{{sfn|Assouline|2009|p=92}}]]
Hergé biographer [[Benoît Peeters]] observed that both ''The Secret of the Unicorn'' and ''Red Rackham's Treasure'' "hold a crucial position" in ''The Adventures of Tintin'' as it establishes the "Tintin universe" with its core set of characters.{{sfn|Peeters|2012|p=143}} He felt that while religious elements had been present in previous stories, they were even stronger in ''The Secret of the Unicorn'' and its sequel, something which he attributed to Van Melkebeke's influence.{{sfn|Peeters|2012|p=144}} Peeters believed that ''Red Rackham's Treasure'' was "an unforgettable book" because it is the volume in which the "family"—meaning Tintin, Snowy, Haddock, and Calculus—all come together.{{sfn|Peeters|2012|p=146}} Fellow biographer [[Pierre Assouline]] echoed this idea, noting that Hergé had "settled" the three characters in their new home.{{sfn|Assouline|2009|p=92}} Focusing on the character of Calculus, he noted that the idea of the eccentric professor was "so universal that it would be inaccurate to point to any one source", suggesting possible influences from [[Charlie Chaplin]] and Hergé's own father.{{sfn|Assouline|2009|p=91}} For Assouline, the professor embodies "the gentle madness and subtle humour in comic strips".{{sfn|Assouline|2009|p=92}} He added that both ''Red Rackham's Treasure'' and its predecessor "reveal Hergé at a new level in his art", and suggested that the reason for their popularity lay in the fact that they were "the visual continuation of a literary universe that stretches from [[Jules Verne]] to [[Pierre Benoit (novelist)|Pierre Benoit]]".{{sfn|Assouline|2009|p=92}}
[[Jean-Marc Lofficier]] and Randy Lofficier opined that ''The Secret of the Unicorn''-''Red Rackham's Treasure'' arc represents "a turning point" for the series as it shifts the reader's attention from Tintin to Haddock, who has become "by far, the most interesting character".{{sfn|Lofficier|Lofficier|2002|p=53}} They claim that the introduction of Calculus "completes the indispensable triangle that imbues Tintin with its mythic quality".{{sfn|Lofficier|Lofficier|2002|p=53}} Asserting that here, Hergé's "art has reached a degree of near-perfection", they awarded it five stars out of five.{{sfn|Lofficier|Lofficier|2002|pp=54–55}}
Michael Farr said that the scene introducing Calculus was "a comic tour de force" marking the start of the "rich vein of humour" that the character brought to the series.{{sfn|Farr|2001|p=106}} Noting that unlike ''The Shooting Star'', this two-book story arc contains "scarcely an allusion to occupation and war", he praised the arc's narrative as "perfectly paced, without that feeling of haste" present in some of Hergé's earlier work.{{sfn|Farr|2001|p=112}}
In his [[psychoanalysis|psychoanalytical]] study of the ''Adventures of Tintin'', the academic [[Jean-Marie Apostolidès]] characterised the ''Secret of the Unicorn''-''Red Rackham's Treasure'' arc as being about the characters going on a "treasure hunt that turns out to be at the same time a search for their roots".{{sfn|Apostolidès|2010|p=30}} He stated that the arc revolves around Haddock's ancestry, and in doing so "deals with the meanings of symbolic relations within personal life".{{sfn|Apostolidès|2010|p=136}} He compared Sir Francis Haddock to [[Robinson Crusoe]] and noted how the Caribbean natives deified Sir Francis Haddock by erecting a statue of him in the same manner that the Congolese deify Tintin at the end of ''[[Tintin in the Congo]]''.{{sfn|Apostolidès|2010|p=138}} Highlighting that Calculus is one of many eccentric scientists to appear in the series, Apostolidès nonetheless emphasises the uniqueness of Calculus, by noting that the character approaches Tintin, rather than Tintin approaching him, as the young reporter had done with previous scientists.{{sfn|Apostolidès|2010|p=145}} Commenting on the introduction of Calculus' shark submarine, Apostolidès states that it "allows them to cross a boundary previously restricting human beings and to penetrate into another universe, the one beneath the seas that holds secrets hitherto unknown".{{sfn|Apostolidès|2010|p=145}} Ultimately, he believes that by the end of the story, "the family structure is in place", with Calculus representing a father figure with financial control, and Haddock and Tintin, who have become brothers through their joint adventure, adding that with the aid of Francis Haddock, "the ancestor", they are given a home at Marlinspike Hall.{{sfn|Apostolidès|2010|p=146}}
Literary critic [[Tom McCarthy (novelist)|Tom McCarthy]] highlighted what he perceived as scenes in ''Red Rackham's Treasure'' which reflected common themes in ''The Adventures of Tintin''. He pointed out that in being a stowaway aboard the ship, Calculus was one of many stowaways in the series,{{sfn|McCarthy|2006|p=79}} and that the treasure represented the theme of jewels and precious stones which also cropped up in ''[[The Broken Ear]]'', ''[[Tintin in the Congo]]'', and ''[[The Castafiore Emerald]]''.{{sfn|McCarthy|2006|p=97}} He noted Tintin's misreading of the parchments and stated this was one of a number of calculation mistakes that the character makes in the series.{{sfn|McCarthy|2006|pp=22–23}} He suggested that a scene in which the shark submarine pushes between Haddock's buttocks was a form of [[sexual innuendo]] referencing [[anal sex]], highlighting similar innuendo in ''The Broken Ear'' and ''[[The Crab with the Golden Claws]]''.{{sfn|McCarthy|2006|p=109}}
==Adaptations==
In 1957, the animation company [[Belvision Studios]] produced ''[[Hergé's Adventures of Tintin]]'', a series of daily five-minute colour adaptations based upon Hergé's original comics. ''Red Rackham's Treasure'' was the fifth story to be adapted in the second series (and the eighth to be adapted overall), being directed by Ray Goossens and written by the cartoonist [[Greg (cartoonist)|Greg]]. In later years, Greg would become editor-in-chief of ''[[Tintin (magazine)|Tintin]]'' magazine.{{sfn|Lofficier|Lofficier|2002|pp=87–88}}
In 1991, a collaboration between the French studio [[Ellipse Programme|Ellipse]] and the Canadian animation company [[Nelvana]] adapted 21 of the stories into a series of episodes, each 42 minutes long. ''Red Rackham's Treasure'' was the tenth episode of ''[[The Adventures of Tintin (TV series)|The Adventures of Tintin]]'' to be produced, although it ran half as long as most of the others. Directed by Stéphane Bernasconi, the series has been praised for being "generally faithful", with compositions having been actually directly taken from the panels in the original comic book.{{sfn|Lofficier|Lofficier|2002|p=90}}
A 2011 [[motion capture]] feature film directed by [[Steven Spielberg]] and produced by [[Peter Jackson]] was released in most of the world October–November 2011, under the title ''[[The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn]]'',{{sfn|The Daily Telegraph: Michael Farr|2011}} and in the US on 21 December, where it was simply titled ''The Adventures of Tintin''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiewire.com/2011/10/steven-spielberg-says-the-adventures-of-tintin-is-85-animation-15-live-action-115766/|first=Oliver|last=Lyttelton|title=Steven Spielberg Says 'The Adventures of Tintin' is "85% Animation, 15% Live Action"|work=[[IndieWire]]|date=16 October 2011|access-date=18 December 2017}}</ref> The film is partially based on ''Red Rackham's Treasure'', combined with elements of ''The Secret of the Unicorn'' and ''The Crab with the Golden Claws''.{{sfn|The Daily Telegraph: Michael Farr|2011}} A [[The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn (video game)|video-game tie-in to the movie]] was released October 2011.{{sfn|IGN|2011}}
==References==
===Notes===
{{notelist}}
===Footnotes===
{{reflist|30em}}
===Bibliography===
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book |title=The Metamorphoses of Tintin, or Tintin for Adults |last=Apostolidès |first=Jean-Marie |author-link=Jean-Marie Apostolidès |others=Jocelyn Hoy (translator) |year=2010 |orig-year=2006 |publisher=Stanford University Press |location=Stanford |isbn=978-0-8047-6031-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GiktoScv17oC }}
* {{cite book |title=Hergé, the Man Who Created Tintin |last=Assouline |first=Pierre |author-link=Pierre Assouline |others=Charles Ruas (translator) |year=2009 |orig-year=1996 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford and New York |isbn=978-0-19-539759-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YsyEMjvdYJgC }}
* {{cite book |title=Tintin: The Complete Companion |last=Farr |first=Michael |author-link=Michael Farr |year=2001 |publisher=John Murray |location=London |isbn=978-0-7195-5522-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DcytngEACAAJ }}
* {{cite web |title=The inspiration behind Steven Spielberg's Tintin |last=Farr |first=Michael |author-link=Michael Farr |date=17 October 2011 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmmakersonfilm/8827673/The-inspiration-behind-Steven-Spielbergs-Tintin.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019032644/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmmakersonfilm/8827673/The-inspiration-behind-Steven-Spielbergs-Tintin.html |archive-date=19 October 2011 |access-date=31 January 2015 |ref={{sfnref|The Daily Telegraph: Michael Farr|2011}}}}
* {{cite book |title=The Art of Hergé, Inventor of Tintin: Volume 2: 1937-1949 |last=Goddin |first=Philippe |author-link=Philippe Goddin |others=Michael Farr (translator) |year=2009 |publisher=Last Gasp |location=San Francisco |isbn=978-0-86719-724-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q3fenQEACAAJ }}
* {{cite book |title=Red Rackham's Treasure |last=Hergé |author-link=Hergé |year=1959 |orig-year=1944 |others=Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper and Michael Turner (translators) |publisher=Egmont |location=London |isbn=978-0-316-35834-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rxQCOQAACAAJ }}
* {{cite book |title=The Adventures of Tintin at Sea |last=Horeau |first=Yves |others=Michael Farr (translator) |year=2004 |publisher=John Murray |location=London |isbn=978-0-7195-6119-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PcpfHAAACAAJ }}
* {{cite book |title=Tintin and the Secret of Literature |last=McCarthy |first=Tom |author-link=Tom McCarthy (novelist) |year=2006 |publisher=Granta |location=London |isbn=978-1-86207-831-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T-UbAQAAIAAJ }}
* {{cite book |title=Tintin and the World of Hergé |last=Peeters |first=Benoît |author-link=Benoît Peeters |year=1989 |publisher=Methuen Children's Books |location=London |isbn=978-0-416-14882-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P97GQgAACAAJ }}
* {{cite book |title=Hergé: Son of Tintin |last=Peeters |first=Benoît |author-link=Benoît Peeters |others=Tina A. Kover (translator) |year=2012 |orig-year=2002 |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |location=Baltimore, Maryland |isbn=978-1-4214-0454-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eS5v-F04AoQC }}
* {{cite web |title=The Adventures of Tintin [The Game] Review |last=Simmons |first=Alex |date=8 December 2011 |publisher=[[IGN]] |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/12/08/the-adventures-of-tintin-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924043600/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/12/08/the-adventures-of-tintin-review |archive-date=24 September 2012 |access-date=6 February 2015 |ref={{sfnref|IGN|2011}}}}
* {{cite book |title=Tintin: Hergé and his Creation |last=Thompson |first=Harry |author-link=Harry Thompson |year=1991 |publisher=Hodder and Stoughton |location=London |isbn=978-0-340-52393-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NDX5TmISfYUC }}
{{refend}}
==External links==
==External links==
* [http://en.tintin.com/albums/show/id/36/page/0/0/red-rackham-s-treasure ''Red Rackham's Treasure''] at the Official Tintin Website
* [http://en.tintin.com/albums/show/id/36/page/0/0/red-rackham-s-treasure ''Red Rackham's Treasure''] at the Official Tintin Website
* [http://www.tintinologist.org/guides/books/12redrackham.html ''Red Rackham's Treasure''] at Tintinologist.org
* [http://www.tintinologist.org/guides/books/12redrackham.html ''Red Rackham's Treasure''] at Tintinologist.org
{{Tintin and Hergé}}
{{Pirates}}
{{Portal bar|Belgium|Comics}}
[[Category:1944 graphic novels]]
[[Category:1944 graphic novels]]
Revision as of 15:43, 28 December 2024
Red Rackham's Treasure
Red Rackham's Treasure (French: Le Trésor de Rackham le Rouge) is the twelfth volume of The Adventures of Tintin, the iconic comic series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. Serialized daily in Belgium's Le Soir newspaper from February to September 1943 during the German occupation of Belgium in World War II, the story continues the adventure begun in The Secret of the Unicorn. In this installment, Tintin and Captain Haddock embark on an expedition to the Caribbean to locate the treasure of the infamous pirate Red Rackham.
A critical and commercial success, Red Rackham's Treasure was published as a standalone volume by Casterman in 1944. It is notable for introducing Professor Cuthbert Calculus, who would become one of the series' most beloved recurring characters. The story has been adapted into multiple formats, including animated series, radio dramatizations, and the 2011 feature film The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn.
Plot Summary
The story follows Tintin and Captain Haddock as they prepare to search for the treasure of Red Rackham, a 17th-century pirate defeated by Haddock's ancestor, Sir Francis Haddock. Using coordinates from parchments found in the preceding volume, the duo believe the treasure lies near the sunken ship Unicorn in the Caribbean. Joined by the detectives Thomson and Thompson, they sail aboard the Sirius, a fishing trawler. They are also unexpectedly accompanied by Professor Cuthbert Calculus, an eccentric and hard-of-hearing inventor who stows away with his experimental shark-shaped submarine.
Upon arriving at the indicated coordinates, they discover no island in sight. Tintin realizes the discrepancy is due to the Paris Meridian being used in the original chart calculations rather than the Greenwich Meridian. After correcting their position, they find an uncharted island, along with evidence of Sir Francis Haddock's stay, including a statue of the ancestor and parrots repeating Haddockian insults.
Using Calculus' submarine, they locate the wreck of the Unicorn and recover artifacts, but the treasure remains elusive. Among the salvaged items is a strongbox revealing that Sir Francis Haddock was the owner of Marlinspike Hall. Upon returning to Belgium, Calculus purchases the estate with funds from his submarine patent and gifts it to Haddock. Tintin solves the final mystery when he deciphers a cryptic message from the parchments. The treasure is hidden within a globe beneath a statue of Saint John in Marlinspike's cellars. After recovering Red Rackham's treasure, Haddock hosts an exhibition of the recovered artifacts at Marlinspike Hall.
Background and Development
Nazi German soldiers in eastern Belgium in 1940. Red Rackham's Treasure and The Secret of the Unicorn were both written while Belgium was under German occupation.
Wartime Serialization
Red Rackham's Treasure was created during the German occupation of Belgium in World War II. Hergé serialized the story in Le Soir, a Nazi-controlled newspaper. The occupation forced him to adopt a policy of political neutrality, shifting his focus from overtly political narratives to character-driven adventures and humor. Despite its context, the story was widely acclaimed and reached a broad audience.
Connection to The Secret of the Unicorn
The story forms the second part of a two-volume arc, following The Secret of the Unicorn. This arc marked a departure from earlier episodic adventures, creating a tightly interwoven narrative that further developed the world of Tintin. Critics praised the cohesion and pacing of the two-part story.
Influences and Design
Calculus was visually based upon the scientist Auguste Piccard.Hergé biographer Pierre Assouline believes Red Rackham's Treasure "reveal[s] Hergé at a new level in his art".
Introduction of Professor Calculus
Professor Cuthbert Calculus, introduced in this volume, became a core character in the series. His deafness was inspired by a colleague Hergé had worked with, while his physical appearance was modeled on the Swiss scientist Auguste Piccard, famous for exploring the stratosphere. The character added a rich vein of humor and eccentricity to the series.
Technical and Historical Research
The story showcases Hergé's commitment to accuracy. Calculus' submarine was inspired by a real American prototype, while the diving equipment and trawler were based on detailed research and photographs. The design of the Unicorn was influenced by images of the Vasa, a 17th-century Swedish ship.
Symbolism and Themes
The treasure hunt serves as both a literal and symbolic quest, connecting Haddock to his ancestry. Religious elements, such as the statue of Saint John, underscore themes of discovery and redemption. The narrative also reflects Hergé's fascination with exploration and historical mysteries.
Reception and Legacy
Red Rackham's Treasure was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It marked a pivotal moment in the series by solidifying the core group of characters—Tintin, Haddock, Calculus, and Snowy—and establishing Marlinspike Hall as their home base. Hergé biographer Benoît Peeters described it as an "unforgettable book," while Pierre Assouline noted its significance in elevating Hergé's artistry.
Harry Thompson characterized the story as the beginning of Tintin's transformation from a reporter into an explorer, reflecting the political and cultural climate of the 1940s. Despite some critiques of its coloring in later editions, the narrative has been praised for its humor, pacing, and character dynamics.
Adaptations
Red Rackham's Treasure has been adapted into multiple media:
Belvision Animated Series (1957): Adapted as part of Hergé's Adventures of Tintin, this early series featured daily five-minute episodes.
Ellipse/Nelvana Animated Series (1991): The story was faithfully adapted into a half-length episode, praised for its visual fidelity to Hergé's original panels.
Radio Adaptation (1992-1993): The BBC Radio 5 dramatization brought the story to an auditory audience with engaging performances.
Feature Film (2011): Steven Spielberg's motion-capture film The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn incorporated elements of Red Rackham's Treasure, blending it with The Secret of the Unicorn and The Crab with the Golden Claws.
Video Game Tie-In (2011): Released alongside Spielberg's film, the game expanded on the cinematic adaptation's narrative.
Cultural Impact
Red Rackham's Treasure remains one of the most beloved volumes in The Adventures of Tintin. Its introduction of Professor Calculus and the establishment of Marlinspike Hall have had a lasting influence on the series' legacy. Celebrated for its humor, adventure, and meticulous detail, the story continues to captivate readers of all ages, affirming its place as a cornerstone of the Franco-Belgian comics tradition.
