Drunken Master
The father of Wong Fei-hong, who has been attempting to teach his son kung-fu, but has found him too disobedient to teach and decides to send him off to his uncle, a cruel and torturous master of the 8-Drunken Genii kung-fu. After much suffering the son comes back to rescue the father from an assassin.
The film earned $16.5M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Drunken Master (1978) showcases meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Yuen Woo-Ping's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 51 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Wong Fei-hung shows off his flashy but undisciplined kung fu skills, defeating opponents through natural talent and arrogance rather than proper training or respect for the martial arts.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when After humiliating the son of Master Thunderleg and causing chaos at a banquet, Wong Fei-hung's father decides he must be sent away for proper training to avoid bringing further shame to the family.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Wong Fei-hung accepts (albeit reluctantly) that he must undergo Beggar So's brutal training regimen, beginning a torturous process of discipline, physical punishment, and learning the fundamentals he had always skipped., moving from reaction to action.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Wong Fei-hung completes his training and demonstrates mastery of the Eight Drunken Immortals style, earning Beggar So's approval and believing himself ready to face any challenge - a false victory as he doesn't yet know the full threat., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 82 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Wong Fei-hung is brutally defeated by Yim Tit-sam and nearly killed by the Devil's Kick technique, suffering a devastating beating that exposes the limitations of his incomplete training - he lacks the final technique needed to counter the kicks., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 88 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Beggar So agrees to teach the final missing technique - the "Drunken Miss Ho" style that requires extreme flexibility and pain tolerance. Wong Fei-hung fully commits to the excruciating training, having learned true humility., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Drunken Master's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Drunken Master against these established plot points, we can identify how Yuen Woo-Ping utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Drunken Master within the action genre.
Yuen Woo-Ping's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Yuen Woo-Ping films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Drunken Master takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Yuen Woo-Ping filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Yuen Woo-Ping analyses, see Master Z: Ip Man Legacy, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny and Iron Monkey.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Wong Fei-hung shows off his flashy but undisciplined kung fu skills, defeating opponents through natural talent and arrogance rather than proper training or respect for the martial arts.
Theme
Wong Kei-ying warns his son that "technique without discipline is nothing" - foreshadowing the central lesson that true mastery requires humility, suffering, and respect for tradition.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Wong Fei-hung as a spoiled, talented but arrogant young fighter who constantly embarrasses his father through reckless fights, disrespect for masters, and refusal to take kung fu seriously.
Disruption
After humiliating the son of Master Thunderleg and causing chaos at a banquet, Wong Fei-hung's father decides he must be sent away for proper training to avoid bringing further shame to the family.
Resistance
Wong Fei-hung resists and tries to escape his punishment, even attempting to run away, but is eventually delivered to Beggar So, a legendary but eccentric drunken master who will train him.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Wong Fei-hung accepts (albeit reluctantly) that he must undergo Beggar So's brutal training regimen, beginning a torturous process of discipline, physical punishment, and learning the fundamentals he had always skipped.
Mirror World
Beggar So becomes Wong Fei-hung's thematic mirror - a master who embodies both discipline and unorthodox methods, teaching through humiliation and hardship that true strength comes from mastering basics and suffering.
Premise
The training montage and learning of the Eight Drunken Immortals style - Wong Fei-hung endures grueling physical torture, learns humility through degrading tasks, and gradually masters the elegant complexity of drunken boxing.
Midpoint
Wong Fei-hung completes his training and demonstrates mastery of the Eight Drunken Immortals style, earning Beggar So's approval and believing himself ready to face any challenge - a false victory as he doesn't yet know the full threat.
Opposition
Wong Fei-hung returns home confident, but learns of the deadly assassin Yim Tit-sam who uses the Devil's Kick technique. Initial confrontations reveal the true danger, and Wong Fei-hung's new skills prove insufficient against this killer.
Collapse
Wong Fei-hung is brutally defeated by Yim Tit-sam and nearly killed by the Devil's Kick technique, suffering a devastating beating that exposes the limitations of his incomplete training - he lacks the final technique needed to counter the kicks.
Crisis
Wounded and humiliated, Wong Fei-hung must swallow his pride and seek out Beggar So again, begging for additional training in the one technique he had refused to learn earlier due to its degrading and painful nature.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Beggar So agrees to teach the final missing technique - the "Drunken Miss Ho" style that requires extreme flexibility and pain tolerance. Wong Fei-hung fully commits to the excruciating training, having learned true humility.
Synthesis
Wong Fei-hung masters the final technique through agonizing training, then faces Yim Tit-sam in the climactic battle, combining all eight immortals plus the Drunken Miss Ho style to defeat the assassin and protect his family's honor.
Transformation
Wong Fei-hung stands victorious but humble, having transformed from an arrogant show-off into a disciplined martial artist who respects his teachers, understands the value of suffering, and has earned his place among true masters.