Drunken Monkey • 醉馬騮 (2003)

Drunken Monkey (2003) Also Known As: Zui Ma Liu · Zuì Mǎ Liú · Jeui Ma Lau · 醉馬騮 · 醉马骝. Directed by Lau Kar-leung, this Shaw Brothers kung fu film stars Wu Jing, Gordon Liu, Shannon Yao, and Lau Kar-wing. Traditional southern martial arts and the Drunken Monkey fighting style take center stage in Lau's final directorial feature.

The Story

Set in 1930s China, respected martial artist Man Bill discovers his family's business has secretly been used as a front for opium smuggling by ruthless criminals. Refusing to join their operation, he becomes their next target and is forced into hiding.

Joining forces with a talented young fighter and an aspiring opera performer, Man Bill fights back against corruption using discipline, courage, and traditional kung fu. Their struggle leads to a series of exciting confrontations where honor and perseverance are tested against powerful enemies.

The Martial Arts

Drunken Monkey features authentic Hung Gar kung fu, the rarely seen Drunken Monkey style, traditional southern hand techniques, intricate weapons work, and expertly choreographed hand-to-hand combat. Lau Kar-leung emphasizes genuine martial arts performance over wire-assisted effects, preserving the realistic fighting style that defined his legendary career.

Why Collectors Pick It

Collectors value Drunken Monkey as Lau Kar-leung's final film as a director and an important return for Shaw Brothers Studio. Gordon Liu, Lau Kar-wing, and Chi Kuan-chun join Wu Jing in a cast that blends martial arts veterans with a new generation of performers. The film's authentic choreography and traditional fighting styles make it one of the strongest kung fu productions of the early 2000s.

Historical Significance

Released in 2003, Drunken Monkey marked Shaw Brothers Studio's return to traditional martial arts filmmaking after more than two decades. It also stands as Lau Kar-leung's final directorial work, preserving his lifelong commitment to authentic Chinese martial arts and realistic fight choreography for a new generation of kung fu fans.

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Related Collections

Find more Lau Kar-leung films, Shaw Brothers productions, and Hong Kong kung fu DVDs in these existing collections.

• Lau Kar-leung Movies
• Shaw Brothers Movies
• Shaw Brothers Kung Fu Movies
• Classic Kung Fu Movies
• Rare Kung Fu Movies