The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007)
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters is a character-driven documentary about classic arcade competition and the people who obsess over high scores. It follows Steve Wiebe, an earnest, unemployed teacher from Washington who takes on a nearly quarter-century-old Donkey Kong record held by legendary player Billy Mitchell. The film moves between tense public showdowns at the Funspot tournament, the close-knit network of scorekeepers and fans who monitor the records, and the controversial videotaped response from Mitchell that turns the contest into a dramatic, personal rivalry. Viewers will be drawn in by the nail-biting gameplay footage and the surprisingly emotional human story behind it: you’ll root for the underdog, laugh at the quirky personalities in the arcade subculture, feel the frustration of gamesmanship and bureaucracy, and come away with a nostalgic appreciation for 1980s arcade culture. More than just a sports story, the documentary explores themes of obsession, honor, and what it means to win in a world that still reveres a high score.
Actors: Steve Wiebe, Billy Mitchell, Mark Alpiger
Director: Seth Gordon
Runtime: 79 min
Genres: Biography, Documentary, Sport
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