The Adventures Of Tintin – Flight 714 – First Reprint – 1968

Author: Hergé
Price: £40.00
Publisher: Methuen, London, UK
Publication date: 1968
Format: Original pictorial boards with pictorial endpapers
Condition: Very good
Pages: 62
Illustrations: Illustrated throughout in colour by the author

Description:

Published by Methuen, London, UK, 1968. Original pictorial boards. Pictorial endpapers. Pp. 62. Illustrated throughout in colour by the author. The first reprint. Boards slightly rubbed and creased. Pages very nice and clean. A very good, tight, clean copy.

‘Flight 714’: A Brief Summary

Flight 714 to Sydney, first published in 1968, is the twenty-second volume in Hergé’s The Adventures of Tintin. Unlike many earlier stories rooted in political intrigue or detective-style mystery, this volume introduces elements of science fiction and the paranormal. Set against the backdrop of international aviation and remote Pacific islands, the narrative combines high-stakes adventure with an unexpected exploration of extra-terrestrial phenomena.

The Chance Meeting

The story begins when Tintin, Captain Haddock, and Professor Calculus are en route to Sydney to attend an astronautics congress. At the airport in Jakarta, they unexpectedly encounter Laszlo Carreidas, a wealthy and eccentric aircraft manufacturer known for his reclusive lifestyle. Carreidas invites the trio to join him aboard his private jet, a state-of-the-art plane bound for Sydney.

Carreidas is portrayed as brilliant but miserly, with his paranoia and quirky personality providing humour while also foreshadowing the challenges ahead.

Hijacking of the Jet

Soon after departure, the jet is hijacked by Carreidas’s pilot and crew, who reveal themselves to be working for Tintin’s old adversary, Roberto Rastapopoulos. The tycoon-turned-criminal mastermind has returned, orchestrating the plot to seize Carreidas’s vast fortune. Rastapopoulos’s ambition, cruelty, and theatrical villainy drive the central conflict of the adventure.

The passengers and crew are forced to land on a remote volcanic island in the Indonesian archipelago, where Rastapopoulos has established a secret base.

Imprisonment and Escape

On the island, Tintin, Haddock, Calculus, and Carreidas are imprisoned. Carreidas’s eccentricity leads to a surreal sequence in which he undergoes a truth serum interrogation. The scene exposes not only his fortune but also his absurd pettiness, as he confesses to trivial misdeeds from childhood.

Tintin, however, remains focused on escape. With ingenuity and bravery, he leads his companions in a breakout, navigating the labyrinthine caves of the island. Snowy, as always, proves resourceful in assisting Tintin during key moments.

The Strange Encounter

As Tintin and his friends attempt to flee the island, they encounter an enigmatic figure named Mik Kanrokitoff, a journalist with mysterious abilities. Kanrokitoff reveals that extraterrestrial forces are observing the events and are prepared to intervene. This revelation introduces a dramatic shift in tone, blending Hergé’s realism with speculative science fiction.

The Climax

In the final act, Rastapopoulos and his gang attempt to recapture Tintin and Carreidas. However, the situation spirals out of their control when a volcanic eruption threatens to engulf the island. At this moment of crisis, Tintin and his companions experience a strange intervention: they are rendered unconscious and later awaken safely, having been mysteriously transported to safety by alien technology.

Rastapopoulos and his cohorts, in contrast, are left to their fate amidst the eruption, with their ultimate survival left ambiguous.

Conclusion

The adventure concludes with Tintin, Haddock, Calculus, and Carreidas safely rescued. True to his eccentric nature, Carreidas remains preoccupied with his wealth and petty concerns, while Haddock vents his frustration at the bizarre turn of events. The group proceeds to Sydney, their surreal ordeal leaving them bewildered yet intact.

Themes and Style

Flight 714 to Sydney is notable for its divergence from the established Tintin formula. The introduction of extraterrestrials and paranormal intervention marks a bold departure, reflecting the era’s fascination with space, UFOs, and unexplained phenomena.

The story also revisits enduring themes of the series: courage, loyalty, and the battle against greed and corruption. Rastapopoulos once again embodies avarice and ruthlessness, while Tintin represents integrity and moral clarity. The interplay between Carreidas’s eccentricities and Haddock’s exasperation provides humour throughout.

Visually, Hergé brings to life the modern world of aviation and the exotic landscapes of the Pacific, while his clean, precise ligne claire style enhances both realism and the surreal.

Final Thoughts

Flight 714 to Sydney is one of the most unusual and imaginative entries in The Adventures of Tintin. By blending contemporary themes of aviation and technology with speculative science fiction, Hergé created a story that continues to provoke fascination and debate. Though unconventional, its mix of suspense, humour, and mystery ensures it remains a memorable part of Tintin’s canon, demonstrating the series’ capacity for innovation even in its later years.

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