Jiu xian shi ba die

A Hong Kong classic of old. A true depiction of what the 1970's HK Martial Art Gung fu films were all about (Kung fu as pronounced in Mandarin, Northern China and pronounced Gung fu in Cantonese, Southern China).

There were 4-5 films made on the Drunken fighting style and this one was non stop action. There is a fair bit of dialogue throughout the film but the fight action makes for about 70% of the whole film...it never lets up! The acting is good, except for the drunken parts, and the comedy is adequately amusing. Its a romp along bit of fun at a hectic speed and it delivers. Its a Martial Art film and that is precisely what you get!

Two weekends ago I stumbled across a little store in Brooklyn that housed a treasure trove of old and new Kung Fu movies on DVD. Upon entering and looking around like I'd entered a library filled with secret tombs and scrolls, I put the proprietor to the test expecting him to come up short with the ancient titles I presented him with, but he simply smiled knowing and deftly moved from isle to isle to present me with the titles I'd inquired about.

"Hmmmmf! Good Kung-Fu!!"

I returned a week later and smiled slyly as I asked "Do you have World Of The Drunken Master?" To which my smile was again returned knowingly as he retorted "We just got that in" For $7.00 bucks I went home and relived old 42nd st. movie theatre days of Kung-Fu dreams and high nights as all of the dialogue and fight choreography came back to me with each scene.

Not one of the better of the Kung-Fu movies of this golden era, as most of the fight scenes are not all that good compared to today's standards, but this is made up for in the story, the memorable dialogue and the nostalgia it conjures. Ahh...but remember...I said "Most" of the fight scenes are not all that good.

The real treat of this classic is what happens after you hear "Master! Sweet Premium!!" followed by the uncorking sound of a wine jug, the gurgle of it's contents and the theme music indicating a staggering ballet of whup ass is on the way.

Or simply when you hear that theme music in general followed by the antagonist's mixed cry of awe and loathing as he exclaims "The Drunkard Style!" And then comes the description of each move as you're getting your butt handed to you...

"Royal Guest Gets Drunk!!" / "Drinking The Fairy Wine!" / "Riding The Ti-ger!" / " And this one's Drink All You Can!!...."

"This Is The Drunkard Technique!!!"

Ahhhh...! The joy of Hong Kong Cinema! "Now, Now...No need to disagree! Why quibble my friend, huh? Come....let's have a drink!

Simon Yuen does a few moves before the opening credits and then disappears from the movie. The two drunken masters in this movie are Mark Lung and Jack Lung. Li Yi-Min also plays a younger version of one of them. The two men who love sweet premium wine and the girl who ferments it have reunited because they were both sent letters to be at this place. Most of the movie then takes place in flashback but it is easy to follow.

The next time I watch this movie I plan to use a stopwatch and calculate the time spent fighting compared to the run time of the movie. There are a few movies that have almost 60% action but this movie seemed to exceed that. I actually felt worn out just from watching the fights. The action was relentless and almost non-stop. More remarkable was the quality of the action. The reason for that was the action director, Yuen Cheung-Yan, from the legendary clan and son of Simon Yuen from the first scene.

This movie has my highest recommendation for anyone who wants to watch an action packed movie.

this film really brings out the true world and story of what could happen if and when anyone turns to drink, i think Fin Lei is the most sublime and wonderful actor i have ever been privileged to experience and i await the sequel...

the precise though beautiful photography used in the film was magnificent though this in comparison to the actors work is deeply inferior. Fung Lei is my hero, i have seen every one of his films, his mastering as an actor sucked me into the world of the drunken master and i've been unable to escape ever since. fne.