The Crab with the Golden Claws

Tintin becomes entangled in a mystery centered on a drowned man, a suspicious crate of canned crab meat, and a famous cargo ship called the Karaboudjan. What begins as a routine shoreline inquiry soon spirals into a web of clues that lead him from the docks to the ship's dark hold. He discovers that the so called crab meat hides something far more dangerous, and he follows a trail of evasive alibis, coded notes, and shady passengers. The pursuit blends brisk action with wry humor, classic detective instincts, and a sense of adventure that stays faithful to Herge's playful world without spoiling the big surprises. The mystery pulls in suspects aboard the ship.

Directed by Stéphane Bernasconi, this 1991 animated adaptation draws on Hergé's Tintin comics and appears as a feature length episode in the TV series. It stars Thierry Wermuth as Tintin and Christian Pelissier as Haddock, with the screenplay credited to J D Smith and Christophe Poujol.

As a television film, it did not receive a theatrical release and there is no traditional box office to report, making performance data scarce. The voice cast includes Thierry Wermuth as Tintin, Christian Pelissier as Haddock, and Yves Barsacq and Jean-Pierre Moulin voicing Dupond and Dupont.

Tintin's adventures carry a lasting cultural footprint in animation and mystery storytelling. This adaptation preserves Herge's distinctive visual style with crisp line work and bright color, while keeping the brisk, globe trotting mood that fans associate with the character and his world. Even new viewers sense the era's brisk energy.

Critics and fans value the faithful transfer of the source material, the camaraderie between Tintin and Haddock, and the steady tempo that makes mystery feel approachable. Core themes include curiosity, courage, and the importance of sticking to evidence over flashy distractions, and the sense of humor translates to modern audiences.