The story revolves around a young man called Wong Fei Hong, one of the most celebrated heroes in southern Chinese folklore.

Fei Hong runs away from training under a harsh martial arts master (who happens to be a geriatric alcoholic) and is defeated by a feared assassin he unwisely challenges. He returns to his master and learns his secret technique called the “Eight Drunk Immortals” which is associated with Chinese Drunken Boxing. Fei Hong finally defeats his nemesis, the assassin, who had been contracted to kill his father.

The film features a number of choreographed fights with several distinctive Chinese martial arts styles, including those that mimic animals such as the Snake, the Crane, the Tiger and the Monkey.

Drunken Master is a typical Chinese martial arts film that demonstrates the traditional emphasis on diligence and hard work and the classic Chinese master-and-pupil relationship. It stars Jackie Chan, who also appeared in Drunken Master 2 (1994).