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
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
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.
External links
- Red Rackham's Treasure at the Official Tintin Website
- Red Rackham's Treasure at Tintinologist.org