Overview
A young man's journey through the trials of martial arts leads to unexpected heroism and family bonds.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- irreverent
- exuberant
- playful
- action movie night
- classic cinema viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an entertaining and highly influential martial arts comedy elevated by Jackie Chan's physical performance and inventive choreography.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Wong Fei-hung's punishing instruction under Beggar So drives both his character development and the film's major action sequences.
The 8-Drunken Genii technique defines the film's signature fights through staggered movement, deceptive rhythm, and acrobatic action.
Beggar So's cruel training methods force Wong Fei-hung to confront his disobedience and develop martial discipline.
The film repeatedly makes awkward bodies, improvised movement, and exaggerated reactions part of its kung-fu spectacle.
Films like Drunken Master, and why
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin
shares athletic martial arts choreography, comic physicality, and a charismatic underdog protagonist
The Legend of the Drunken Master
shares Hong Kong action comedy, inventive fight staging, and a rebellious student undergoing rigorous training
Project A
shares Jackie Chan's acrobatic action-comedy style, slapstick timing, and stunt-driven set pieces
Movie Details
- Director
- Yuen Woo-ping
- Release Date
- 1978-10-05
- Runtime
- 111 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (1179)
Cast
- Jackie Chan
- Simon Yuen Siu-Tien
- Hwang Jang-Lee
- Dean Shek Tin
- Hsu Hsia
- Linda Lin Ying
- Lam Kau
- Max Lee Chiu-Chun
- Chiang Kam
- Richard Cheung Kuen
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Drunken Master about?
- A rebellious young kung-fu student survives a brutal apprenticeship and turns eccentric drunken boxing into a weapon against a deadly assassin.
- What is Drunken Master like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Drunken Master as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Drunken Master violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Drunken Master as moderate.
- What did critics think of Drunken Master?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an entertaining and highly influential martial arts comedy elevated by Jackie Chan's physical performance and inventive choreography.
- Which films are like Drunken Master?
- Films with a similar feel include The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, The Legend of the Drunken Master, and Project A.
- How long is Drunken Master?
- Drunken Master runs 111 minutes.
- Where can I watch Drunken Master?
- In United States, Drunken Master streams on Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel.
