The Prodigal Son (1981): Cast & Plot
The Prodigal Son is a 1981 action comedy starring Yuen Biao as Leung Chang, Lam Ching-Ying and Lin Jing. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 40m (100 min)
- Original language
- Cantonese
- Studio
- Orange Sky Golden Harvest
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Prodigal Son About?
The premise of The Prodigal Son without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
The story opens amid a Chinese opera house where men rehearse their fights. A wealthy merchant’s son is convinced he is Canton’s greatest kung‑fu champion. His cautious father secretly pays his rivals to throw matches to protect him. When an actor from a travelling troupe humiliates him in a bout, the son confronts his pride and seeks a genuine master to train him.
The Prodigal Son Themes & Keywords
· 24 tags- martial arts action
- wing chun
- male dressed as female
- theater
- theater group
- master
- revenge
- asthma
- 1880s
- artist
- man
- kung fu action
+12 more Show fewer
- kung fu
- martial arts
- hand to hand combat
- action violence
- fistfight
- written and directed by cast member
- cross dressing
- chicken
- father daughter relationship
- monk
- historical event
- cult film
The Prodigal Son Cast & Characters
Yuen Biao leads the cast as Leung Chang, with Lam Ching-Ying as Leung Yee-Tai and Lin Jing as Leung Chang's Mother.
- Yuen Biao as Leung Chang
- Lam Ching-Ying as Leung Yee-Tai
- Lin Jing as Leung Chang's Mother
- Chan Yau-Hau as Leung Chang's Father
Also Starring in The Prodigal Son
· 41 more- Peter Chan Lung Yee Tung Choi
- Yuen Miu Opera Troupe Member
- Lo Po-Shan Opera Audience
- Frankie Chan Fan-Kei Ngai Fei
- Sammo Hung Kam-Bo Wong Wa-Po
- Wu Ma Brick Man
- Johnny Cheung Wa Angry Kungfu Master's Disciple
- Cheung Hei Doctor
- Paul Chung Fat Mr Law
- Wang Hsieh Duke
- Lee Hoi-Sang Kungfu Teacher
- Dick Wei Mr Suen
- James Tien Chun Broken Right Arm Fighter
- Ha Kwok-Wing Angry Kungfu Master's Disciple
- Chan Ming-Wai Angry Kungfu Master's Disciple
- Chin Yuet-Sang Kungfu Teacher
Show all 45 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Ka Lee Opera Troupe Member
- Chow Gam-Kong Master Mun's Man
- Tony Tam Chun-To Angry Kungfu Master's Disciple
- Pan Yung-Sheng Opera Troupe Member
- Pang Yun-Cheung Fighter Defeated by Po
- Lee Man-Tai Angry Kungfu Master
- Kei Ho-Chiu Disciple of Angry Kungfu Master
- Ng Yam-Chuen Troupe Musician
- Wellson Chin Sing-Wai Master Mun
- Hsiao Yu Angry Kungfu Master's Disciple
- Siu Yuk-Lung Angry Kungfu Master's Disciple
- Chang Ching-Po Troupe Manager
- Chan Leung Angry Kungfu Master's Disciple
- Ding Yue Magistrate
- Ng Min-Kan Master Mun's Man
- Sek Gong Angry Kungfu Master's Disciple
- Wai Pak Au Ru Kwai
- Wong Ka-Leung
- Lai Sau-Kit Angry Kungfu Master's Disciple
- Yuen Fai Disciple of Angry Kungfu Master
- Cheng Wai-Ching
- Ho Wai Restaurant Customer
- Li Bo Restaurant Customer
- Ma Ji-Ren Restaurant Customer
- Ho Wai-Han Twiggy
The Prodigal Son Plot Summary
What happens in The Prodigal Son from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Leung Chang, Yuen Biao is a young man from a wealthy Foshan family in the mid-19th century who trains as a martial artist under two instructors paid by his father. He has fought well over three hundred times in Foshan and won every bout, but unknown to him his father has a scheme: Yee Tung Choi, Chang’s intermediary, bribes Chang’s opponents to throw the fights in order to protect him. This calculated setup lets Chang believe he is a world-class fighter, even though he has not learned the fundamentals of kung fu. The family’s protection comes at a high price, earning him the nickname “The Prodigal Son,” a label whispered behind his back as the costs of keeping him safe mount.
Full summary
The whole story of The Prodigal Son, scene by scene
The Prodigal Son Videos
2 videos: 2 clips.
- Clip "You haven't mastered the basics yet!"
How Well Do You Know The Prodigal Son?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the wealthy young man who believes he is a world‑class fighter?
The Prodigal Son Also Known As
17 alternative titles, including “Die Todesfaust des kleinen Drachen” and “Pull No Punches”.
- Also known as
-
- Die Todesfaust des kleinen Drachen
- Pull No Punches
- El hijo pródigo
- Baai ga jai
- Bai jia zai
- Son Ruining the Family
- Obyčejný spratek
- 败家仔
- Блудный сын
- Syn Marnotrawny
- 敗家子
- Ο Άσωτος Υιός
+5 more Show fewer
- Bai Ga Jai
- 패가자
- Phá Gia Chi Tử
- A Vingança do Filho Pródigo
- A tékozló fiú
Seen The Prodigal Son?
Movies Like The Prodigal Son
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Prodigal Boxer, My Rebellious Son and King of Beggars.
The Prodigal Son FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, cast, post-credit scenes and language of The Prodigal Son, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Prodigal Son?
The Prodigal Son runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).
When was The Prodigal Son released?
The Prodigal Son was released on November 10, 1981.
Who is in the cast of The Prodigal Son?
The Prodigal Son stars Yuen Biao as Leung Chang, Lam Ching-Ying as Leung Yee-Tai and Lin Jing as Leung Chang's Mother, among 45 credited actors.
Does The Prodigal Son have a post-credit scene?
No. The Prodigal Son has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Prodigal Son in?
The original language of The Prodigal Son is Cantonese.
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