This is one of my favorite documentaries. While it scores high on nerd value, it also has a heart. The personalities that emerge from the gaming world are priceless. After watching it a few months back, I got in touch with Steve Wiebe and invited him to Twiistup 4 to play a little Donkey Kong. He agreed! If you’re joining us at our event in July, you have to check out this movie first. You can buy the DVD or watch it for free today at 2p PT on G4TV.
Description: The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters is a documentary that follows Steve Wiebe as he tries to take the world high score for the arcade game Donkey Kong from reigning champion Billy Mitchell. The film premiered January 22, 2007, at the 2007 Slamdance Film Festival and has been shown at the Newport Beach Film Festival, the Seattle International Film Festival, the TriBeCa Film Festival, the Aspen Comedy Festival, and the Fantasia Film Festival. The film opened in limited release in the United States on August 17, 2007, in 5 theaters, and by September 9, 2007, the film had expanded to 39 theaters in the U.S.
The film’s original title was The King of Kong but later received the subtitle A Fistful of Quarters.
A scripted movie adaptation is already in the works. Director Seth Gordon has said that the movie might be a sequel instead of a remake, telling the story of how the documentary changed both men’s lives, as well as their continuing rivalry.
The film’s DVD release was on January 29, 2008.