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Why were some books not made into TV cartoons?

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nosl
Member
#1 · Posted: 9 Feb 2006 04:21
From what I understand, the story of Tintin & the Alph-Art was never completed due to the passing of Hergé. However, I'm curious to know why the first two episodes of Tintin (In the land of the Soviets and In Congo) were never developed into animated shows.
jock123
Moderator
#2 · Posted: 9 Feb 2006 09:45
Congo has a history of being a political hot-potato outside of those countries which had it back at the start, hence it being amongst the last books to be translated into English. I’d imagine that at the time both the lack of a ready-made template for the English version, and a lack of familiarity with the work in general for an English-speaking audience were two factors. Add to this that the animated series was designed to be aimed at a young audience world-wide, and that while it was feasible to reduce things such as the characters drinking alcohol, and to avoid issues such as the treatment of the Native Americans in America, Congo would have needed an almost complete over-haul to eliminate the questionable aspects of the depiction of the native Congolese and the politics.

Similar concerns would have been attached to Soviets I’m sure, but paramount had to be the fact that unless it was produced in a one-off (and thus very expensive) version of Hergé’s early drawing-style, and in black-and-white (presumably a less than attractive option), it just wouldn’t be possible to do it. Hergé never revised it or put it into colour, and thus a studio would be unlikely to be allowed to do that. As Nelvana made a great issue of trying to remain faithful to the Hergé style, I’m not sure they would have wanted to anyway.
midnightblueowl
Member
#3 · Posted: 13 Feb 2006 14:34
Nelvana did change more than we think. The actual wording has often been changed, although the picture was kept. Also, they might not do Soviets or Congo as there isnt really a plot. Its just one thing after another.
Harrock n roll
Moderator
#4 · Posted: 23 Feb 2006 16:55
In the Belvision adaptation of Objective Moon (which was the first one made, 1959) at the beginning Tintin says he'd had “many exciting adventures all over the world, Africa...” cut to a shot of Tintin in his ‘Congo’ outfit, he ducks as a lion jumps over him, then shoots his rifle.

it's obviously not a full length animation but that short clip could count as the first reference to Congo in the English language.
sprabs
Member
#5 · Posted: 23 Feb 2006 17:33
Maybe the controversies surrounding these two books & also (if I may use this term) the 'rawness' in Herge's style might have something to do with it.....
SingingGandalf
Member
#6 · Posted: 20 Mar 2006 19:45
What would young kids think about seeing animals blown to bits, Congolese people being really dumb, and Russian children being starving and not given food by the authorities. Also, if Soviets was done up into a colour show, it wouldn't really be accurate to Herge any more, which is what the Ellipse/Nelvana show is famed for. The reason for those ones not being in the Belevision series, is that they just weren't Greg's favourites and at the time Soviets wasn't available to all.
Tintinrulz
Member
#7 · Posted: 21 Mar 2006 10:02
Russian children starving? It shows the evils of Communism - nothing wrong with that. The others? Yes, not the best material for a kid to read, but I don't believe they are as harmful as adults think.

For example: I used to read Felix the Cat comics and I read Tintin in the Congo when I was a lot younger. Black people were portrayed as not all that intelligent, but I wasn't affected by it in the least. I still respected them as humans. Think it has more to do with bringing up your kids the right way, then blaming it on a Tintin comic or two.
SingingGandalf
Member
#8 · Posted: 21 Mar 2006 15:43
the evils of Communism

Today, communism only exists in North Korea, whatecer China or Cuba may say (though Cuba never was communist, it was socialist, which Marx defined as the road from capitalism to communism). Anyway back to the subject, if communism no longer exists and was breaking up at the time of the Ellipse/Nelvana series, it wouldn't be relevant. Also, it would make kids think Russians were evil, though 'Blue lotus' would make them think Japanese were evil.
Tintinrulz
Member
#9 · Posted: 22 Mar 2006 00:41
No offense, but the Tintin comics hold a lot of HISTORY in them. Just because it isn't relevant to these times so much, doesn't mean it isn't important to know.
SingingGandalf
Member
#10 · Posted: 22 Mar 2006 17:29
Your definately right, the books will be viewed as historical sources, but don't you think some children may be a little young to be learning about communism, fascism etc.

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