Drums of Mer

Drums of Mer is a 1933 Australian novel by Ion Idriess set in the Torres Strait.[1]

Drums of Mer
First edition
AuthorIon Idriess
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
Genrenovel
PublisherAngus and Robertson
Publication date
1933

Background

It was based on a true story about the survivors of the wrecked ship the Charles Eaton. The characters were composites of real people.[2][3]

Idriess later called the book "'a blood-thirsty thing, and it's told from the angle of the Torres Strait islanders. There are killings and wars and all sorts of horrible things in it, but it seems to appeal. I was a bit frightened at first, that the womenfolk would not like it. They seem to want it, however."[4]

Idriess later reworked the same material in a children's book, Headhunters of the Coral Sea.[5]

Proposed Film Adaptation

Sandy Harbutt planned to make a film version of it in the late 1970s with his then-wife Helen Morse as associate producer. Research trips were undertaken to various locations in 1977. [6] In October 1977 Harbutt was reportedly writing a script in the New Hebridies and hoped to start filming in April 1978.[7] In 1999 Harbutt said he still intended to make the movie.[8] However no film resulted.

Dance Adaptation

In 1996 the Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre presented a theatre production based on the novel.[9]

References
  1. "When Terror Stalked Through Torres Strait". The Mail. Adelaide. 14 October 1933. p. 7. Retrieved 18 August 2013 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. Interview with Ion Idriess", ABC
  3. "THE "CHARLES EATON."". The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser. XXXIV (2839). New South Wales, Australia. 19 July 1836. p. 3. Retrieved 28 March 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "Writing and Travel". The West Australian. XLIX (9, 794). 18 November 1933. p. 14. Retrieved 17 April 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Books of the Week". The News. XXXV (5, 408). South Australia. 23 November 1940. p. 2. Retrieved 8 May 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "Helen Morse back to Sydney stage soon". Sydney Morning Herald. 14 August 1977. p. 45.
  7. "Who's Doing What". Filmnews. 7 (9). New South Wales, Australia. 1 October 1977. p. 16. Retrieved 8 May 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. Maddox, Garry (16 June 1999). "Stone: bikie epic turns full circle". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 12.
  9. Sykes, Jill (26 April 1996). "Drums don't quite hit the beat". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 16.


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