The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters

PG-13

Released Aug 17, 2007

1 hr. 19 min.

Documentary

Biography

List

97%

103 Reviews

Tomatometer

93%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Named "Video Game Player of the Century" in 1999, Billy Mitchell sets a record score in "Donkey Kong" that many felt would never be broken. In 2003 Steve Wiebe, who has recently lost his job, learns about the record, sets out to beat it and does. So both men embark on a cross-country battle for inclusion in the 2007 Guinness Book of World Records as the supreme king of the electronic game.

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Critics Consensus

The King of Kong is funny and compelling with more than a few poignant insights into human behavior. Director Seth Gordon presents the dueling King Kong players in all their obsessive complexity and with perfectly al dente observations.

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Audience Member

as crazy and silly as it is its a smart documentary commenting on gamers and their love of scoring high game points making it to the top isnt as easy as it is no matter what the arena theres plenty of discrepency among Mitchell, Wiebe and other champions of Donkey Kong and it goes to show that keeping your title means as much as the next person its funny, thought-provoking and insightful good guys and bad guys come face-to-face arcade style!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/15/24

Full Review

Shael

A light-hearted ride with the pleasure of seeing our protagonist succeed against his own giants and the odds of his competitors.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/26/23

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matthias s

"King of Kong" takes us on a wild and nostalgic journey into the world of competitive arcade gaming. This documentary captures the thrilling pursuit of the world record high score in Donkey Kong, a classic 1981 arcade game that captured the hearts of gamers worldwide. While not a flawless masterpiece, "King of Kong" manages to strike a chord with both gaming enthusiasts and casual viewers alike. The film centers around two main characters: Steve Wiebe, a down-to-earth family man with a passion for gaming, and Billy Mitchell, the reigning Donkey Kong champion known for his larger-than-life personality. The contrasting personalities of these two rivals create an engaging dynamic that keeps you hooked from start to finish. One of the film's greatest strengths lies in its ability to capture the intense emotions and sheer dedication of the gamers involved. As we watch Steve Wiebe pour his heart and soul into achieving the high score, we can't help but root for the underdog. The sense of suspense builds with each attempt, leaving you on the edge of your seat, eagerly anticipating the outcome. In conclusion, "King of Kong" offers a tantalizing glimpse into the world of competitive gaming, pitting two unforgettable characters against each other in an epic battle for the high score. While it may not reach the pinnacle of documentary filmmaking, it is an enjoyable ride that will leave you feeling nostalgic and perhaps even inspired to pick up that dusty old arcade joystick and chase your own gaming dreams.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/11/23

Full Review

Gareth v

Who would of thought the true life story two guys playing Donkey Kong could turn into such a compelling doco. Villians, heroes, nerds and bad fashion come together for this little gem

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/20/23

Full Review

Sinister B

Follows an egotistical cheaters up rise in the gaming community. Go look up anything about Billy Mitchel now and you will understand that this was all based off a lie.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/05/23

Full Review

Audience Member

One of the best docs of all time. This was such an engaging ride to go on with hard-to-believe but very real circumstances with really big stakes for all the major players.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

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Seth Gordon

Director

Steve Wiebe

Actor

Mark Alpiger

Actor

Walter Day

Actor

Steve Sanders

Actor

Robert Mruczek

Actor

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Cliff Doerksen

Time Out

Rated: 5/5

Nov 18, 2011

Full Review

Stephen Garrett

Time Out

Rated: 2/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

David Jenkins

Time Out

You could hardly call it a paragon of impartial filmmaking, but this is still a compelling and immersive glance into the nature of competitiveness and the corrupting aspects of fame.

Rated: 4/6

Jun 5, 2008

Full Review

Stephen Silver

Tilt Magazine

One of the great documentaries of the 2000s, one that found a tremendously intriguing story in a weird, insular American subculture (15th anniversary)

Rated: 4/5

Aug 26, 2022

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

It's a credit to Gordon as director that he allows the full spectrum of emotions to come alive onscreen here.

Rated: 3.0/4.0

Sep 13, 2020

Full Review

Micheal Compton

Bowling Green Daily News

Feels more like a Christopher Guest fake-documentary than a real live true story... What makes the film so intriguing is the whole "no way this could be real" factor.

Rated: A-

Oct 29, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

Named "Video Game Player of the Century" in 1999, Billy Mitchell sets a record score in "Donkey Kong" that many felt would never be broken. In 2003 Steve Wiebe, who has recently lost his job, learns about the record, sets out to beat it and does. So both men embark on a cross-country battle for inclusion in the 2007 Guinness Book of World Records as the supreme king of the electronic game.

Director: Seth Gordon
Screenwriter: Seth Gordon
Distributor: Picturehouse
Rating: PG-13 (A Brief Sexual Reference)
Genre: Documentary, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 17, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $674.9K

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