Monkey (1978–1980)

Camp, dubbed, and permanently lodged in a generation’s memory.

Play it broad and play it funny — a demon-of-the-week show with a philosophy lesson smuggled into the last two minutes.

You want the one that raised half of Britain and Australia on a Chinese novel none of them knew was Chinese.

What it keeps and what it changes

Keeps: the shape of the pilgrimage and, oddly, a lot of the Buddhism; the closing narration keeps landing the moral straight.
Changes: the register entirely. The English dub is doing bits, Tripitaka is played by a woman, and the fight choreography is a rock concert.

Whose story is it?

Monkey’s, but the dub gives Pigsy and Sandy enough room to steal most of it.

How much time does it ask?

The complete series runs 2,231 minutes across 12 discs.

Fabulous Films’ complete-series set: 12 discs, 2,231 minutes.

Where to find it

Find where it’s streaming — JustWatch →

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More ways west: Journey to the West (CCTV, 1986) · Havoc in Heaven (1961/1964) · Monkey King: Hero Is Back (2015)