Tintin (1991): Side-by-Side Comparison of the Canadian and French Intros

Did you know that Ellipse-Nelvana's "The Adventures of Tintin" has two distinctly different, original intro sequences? One version stems from Canada, Nelvana's home country, and has mostly been seen in NTSC regions. The other version was done for the French/European release of the series, and has mostly been seen in PAL regions.

The differences between the two are interesting. The Canadian edit not only has sound effects, but also a pretty explicit focus on dramatic, action-packed scenes. The French/European edit is music only, and varies a bit more between exciting and humorous scenes. It also arguably focuses more on iconic covers/panels from Hergé's original comic albums, and creates a visual link to the comics by using split-screen panels and page turn transitions.

I'm guessing the Canadian intro version was the first to be made, given that Nelvana was the main production studio behind the series. The Canadian intro is also edited in native NTSC, while the French intro seems to be a mixture of NTSC-sourced animation (with frame-blending) and PAL-edited video effects.

So why these differences? Perhaps it has to do with how known Tintin is in different parts of the world. Since almost no one knows/knew Tintin in countries like The United States, I suspect Nelvana made "their" version of the intro as action-packed as possible, hoping this would attract buyers and viewers in Canada and the States. In Europe, however, Tintin had been a loved and acclaimed comic-book series for decades... so the choice to focus more on classic moments from the albums makes sense for the European edit.

[modestahousebills]

0:35
Damn, Tintin is powerful. He destroyed the whole Unicorn with one punch.

[Vespyr_]

The title card reveal is better in the French version. But the scene picks are better in the Canadian run.

[robinson]

0:34
Perfect timing between Red Rackham's sword slash & Haddock's glass shattering.

[cashherrick]

French version is definitely more nostalgic, making it my favorite.

[williamlevison]

I´VE BEEN SCOUTING YOUTUBE FOR THAT CANADIAN OPENING FOR SO LONG. Thank you for bringing me nostalgia. I´ve been reading the books and watching the discs(Canadian) for as long as I can remember, from elementary to now high school.

[guilhermelaviola]

I used to see the Canadian version. So many great memories!

[konstantin]

I've grown up with the French version and I think it has the best selection and timing of clips. Although, I think the sound effects in the Canadian version is a really nice touch and has a great dramatic effect on the whole thing.

[octaviusfooks]

If only we had more animation by Nelvana and Ellipse like this nowadays!

[Rizqy_Rogers]

I really like the Tintin story, from the comics to the films and series, especially the Canadian version of the intro that always sticks in my brain, very memorable And brings back childhood memories

[Anthiflo]

Until now I didn't know there was an other version than the PAL version. Both versions have their qualities but I think the PAL version do a better job pacing the scenes and taking time introducing the characters. First we only have Tintin and Snowy, then Haddock, Tournesol, Nestor. Then a scene with everyone and finally beautiful landscapes with the underwater section and the space section. The only bad point I find now that I've seen both, is that the first logo screen at around 12 sec is way too long and couls have been used to put some more scenes.
The NTSC one feels a bit messier, with a lot af cuts and I don't think the SFX were necessary. Also some scenes have a completly different art style (the one with Rackam or the one with Hadock coming out of the snow). But I like some of the scenes, like the Castafiore singing and breaking a window, the egyptian door background and the boat chase.

That would be intersting to see an edited version of the french opening, with a shorter title and more scenes to compensate.

[retro]

In the 90s and early 00s, the intro we got in the Dutch speaking part of Belgium was the Canadian one. As cool as the comic panels of the PAL intro is, the editing of the Canadian one is just a slightly bit better.

[mr.mcnuggies]

The Canadian version is so fucking nostalgic oh my god, I’ve lived in Canada my whole life and never knew that other countries had a different version of the opening

[StuntFan]

The two boxsets that surfaced in stores in Canada in the mid 2000s, actually use both intros in different episodes. For example, on one of those DVDs, The Seven Crystal Balls uses the intro on the left, whereas Prisoners of the Sun uses the intro on the right. My favorite is the one on the left. Can't get enough of Tintin punching that boat. XD

[Eddiespice]

I’ve never put much thought into the intro. But I have seen the French version far more times now that my recollections are more accurate.

[orangelimesky]

Those scenes are so memorable. Amazing. I knew there was something great in this cartoon. They were made to perfection. The characters, dialogue, mysteries all so memorable.

[personaldevelopment]

What an incredible comic!!! Absolutely sensational. Thank you for sharing the introductory theme.

[samih]

Both intros are good but I preferred the Canadian version more since it was used when they showed The Adventures of Tintin on TV here in Australia.

[BartmanBegins]

I've watched both intros on TV over the course of my life. But frankly, I prefer the Canadian intro. It feels more dynamic than the other intro, and I prefer TV intros that managed to be as dynamic as possible. Also, Bianca Castafiore singing, followed by a shot of the window breaking... That always made me laugh. XD Plus, I'm probably alone about this, but I always thought the Thom(p)sons receiving a book on their heads and diving into the sand in the other intro looked weird. Probably because that part of the intro suddenly had fewer frames than the rest of the intro for some reason.

[ChristopherSobieniak]

Yep, the version seen in North America on the left was what I used to see.

[ful]

It’s still awesome in any version. Damn!