May 28, 2023

 


 

 

The big day has finally arrived--the 30th Anniversary of Super Mario Bros. (1993)!   

 

To help celebrate, we'e gathered all of the best articles and coverage the film has received over the past few months. The film's milestone anniversary combined with the release of this year's The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) has been an incredibly potent combo that's led to a lot of great retrospectives and analysis of the live-action original. 

 

Check out the links below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There's so much to cover here: comparisons of both 1993 and 2023 films, directors Rocky Morton and Annabel Jankel crashing a 35mm anniversary screening at Quentin Tarantino's theater, examinations of the film's fandom (that we were thrilled to contribute to), and the film literally being the top selling DVD on Amazon 30 years later, and so much more! This eclectic set of articles shows just how alive the conversation around the film is, and is a wonderful indicator of things to come.

 

Speaking of which, there's so much more on the horizon for the live-action Super Mario Bros. movie fandom, and we're looking forward to continue bringing that to you. Trust the Fungus!

 

 

March 10, 2023

 


 

 

In a SMB Movie Archive first, we're getting in on all of the Mar10 Day celebrations!                  

 

As far as SMB Archive specific updates go, we're getting quite a bit of attention from various news outlets ahead of the release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie on April 5th. We'll be sure to post links to these articles and interviews once they're live.

 

One of our earlier interviews from a few years ago has been republished on The-Pixels.com as part of their week-long Mar10 Day Celebration:

 

 

Don't forget to grab your copy of the Winter 2023 issue of Trust the Fungus: The 1993 SMB Movie Fanzine HERE!

 

Artist extraordianaire @SrCampesino has released additional designs for his SMB.1993 T-Shirts:        

 

 

There will be an upcoming screening of Super Mario Bros. in Dallas, TX  on March 23, 2023, done in a MST3K/roast/Rifftrax type style. The added draw is that frequent SMB Archive collaborator Blake Dumesnil will be on hand at the event with a few screen-used props to do a show-and-tell session! You can pick up tickets for that event below:                

 

 

And finally, beginning Friday, March 24, the National Videogame Museum in Frisco, Texas will be officially launching a comprehensive exhibit for Super Mario Bros. 30th Anniversary, featuring a huge portion of Blake's collection with a lot of recently uncovered screen used items going on public display for the first time! It's going to be an even bigger and better exhibit than the one held for the 25th anniversary, and is planned to run for a longer period of time (at least a year is planned at this time). To help promote the upcoming event, Blake has started a dedicated Twitter account. Check out the introductory post:

 

 

What a Mar10 Day this has been! We'll be back as soon as we catch a breath here!

 

 

January 11, 2023

 


 

 

Today, we're so pleased to announce the release of Trust the Fungus: The 1993 SMB Movie Fanzine--the very first Super Mario Bros. movie fandom/community driven fanzine!

 

The team over at @sewerzines completely outdid themselves by organizing a fantastic team of artists and writers to produce this wonderful tribute to our favorite film. The Fanzine has over 30 pages of art, editorials, and fan fiction.

 

The proceeds from each purchase are going towards our restoration of the screen-used Yoshi puppet head with frequent SMB Archive collaborator Blake Dumesnil

 

Check out the announcement tweet:

 

Purchase your copy of the fanzine HERE!

 

 

October 6, 2022

 


 

 

Since we're all fans of mustachioed plumbers around here, you might have heard there's a new Super Mario Bros. movie coming in 2023. No, not a live-action revival, but a CGI collaboration between Illumination Entertainment and Nintendo. The film has a title: The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The film has a release date: April 5, 2023. 

 

And today, it now has a first trailer.

 

So, we thought we'd try something new (for us) and release a livestreamed reaction video for this first trailer to get some good will out there. If our readers enjoy the discussion, we'll likely keep this up at least until the film releases! Check it out below:             

 

 

SMB Movie Archive's Teaser Trailer Reaction for The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)!

 

That's all for today, but Trust The Fungus! More updates to come!

 

 

October 7, 2021

 


 

 

Hot off the heels of our early release of the Extended Rough Cut of Super Mario Bros., we have an extremely exciting follow-up announcement: Australia-based Umbrella Entertainment has released a brand new version of the film on Blu-Ray and DVD!               

 

We worked with Umbrella to make sure the disc retained the same quality film transfer and all of our special features from the Second Sight release, and were able to get an exciting new feature added to the Blu-Ray: the raw workprint of the Extended Rough Cut! The version included is Skip Elsheimer's rip of the workprint VHS--the sharpest source rip of the VHS prior to Garret Gilchrist's restoration cut. As it's the raw workprint, it's less polished and is lacking in audio fidelity and color palate compared to that restoration, but it's still recommended for those seeking the version most true to what the director's vision could have been!

 

Check the Blu-Ray release out for yourself so you can compare and contrast between the versions!

 

Oh, and one last gigantic piece of info for all of our US readers: although this is a Region B Blu-Ray sold in Australia, the disc is region free and will work in most US Blu-Ray players!

 

You can purchase the release via the links below:    

 

 

 

 

This is the most complete, definitive release of Super Mario Bros. yet, and we're excited to continue being a place for this movie fandom to thrive!

 

 

June 1, 2021

 


 

 

It looks like Trusting the Fungus for the 28th Anniversary of Super Mario Bros. paid off big time this year! Here's your first complete look at the previously-unseen extended rough cut of the controversial 1993 cyberpunk fantasy, Super Mario Bros.

 

The film as released runs 104 minutes. This extended version runs a full 125 minutes, with 20 minutes of additional scenes. The editing has also been reworked throughout, and restored by filmmaker Garrett Gilchrist, well known for his restoration of The Thief and the Cobbler and many Muppet projects.

 

This version uses VHS sources for most of the film, for consistency. Otherwise identical edits sourced from DVD and Blu-Ray also exist, as well as a general restored workprint. We are exploring our options and further work will be done on this film later. However, we have decided to release this version of the edit early for the film's anniversary to see what the fans think of it!

 

Previously-unseen deleted scenes include the Mario Bros running afoul of the (probably Mafia-connected) Scapelli plumbing company, Koopa murdering a technician by de-evolving him into slime, and Iggy and Spike rapping about the overthrow of King Koopa at the Boom Boom Bar. There's more of Lena, Daniella and the Brooklyn Girls. Most scenes are extended in this version, with a lot more of the cast including Dennis Hopper as Koopa.

 

And now, we present the first look at the Restored Extended Rough Cut of Super Mario Bros.

 

 

Super Mario Bros: The Morton Jankel Cut (VHS Extended Rough Cut 1.0)

 

After you've watched the film, don't forget we have a lengthy restoration commentary video feature as well as features doing deep dives on individual deleted scenes in the film such as the the Scapelli Plumbers, the extended Devo Chamber sequence, and the Spike & Iggy Rap!

 

As expected, we've received a good amount of media coverage along with this release! Here's a roundup of some of the articles that have been published:

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This initial release of the extended rough cut, combined with our relaunch of the Super Mario Bros. 2 sequel comic, will make this anniversary tough to repeat! Improbable and unlikely, perhaps...but never impossible.

 

Trust the Fungus!

 

 

September 1, 2020

 


 

 

In our latest video feature, In this exclusive video interview, the founder/webmaster of Super Mario Bros. The Movie Archive, Ryan Hoss, interviews acclaimed British screenwriters Dick Clement and Ian la Frenais (Flushed Away, Across The Universe).

 

The screenwriting duo were brought onto Super Mario Bros. (1993) as the second major screenwriting team during Rocky Morton and Annabel Jankel's tenure to steer the story closer to the more mature directorial vision. Their drafts of the screenplay attempted to wrangle all of the high-concept vision of the directors and the inherent video game elements, while adding in a solid focus on enhancing the characters and narrative. Their drafts are what attracted major talent like Bob Hoskins and Fiona Shaw to work on the film.

 

In the interview, learn how Dick & Ian were approached to work on the film, how they interacted with the directors and producers, how they tackled their drafts of the screenplay, and what they thought of the film when it was released!

 

 

Exclusive SMB Archive Interview w/Screenwriters Dick Clement & Ian la Frenais!

 

While we're here, I'll mention that restoration work on the extended rough cut of Super Mario Bros. is still ongoing! If you'd like to inquire about the project or have information on additional materials, please contact the Super Mario Bros. The Movie Archive at: admin@smbmovie.com

 

And as always: Trust the Fungus!

 

 

April 17, 2020

 


 

 

On May 15th 2019, we discovered a tape containing an extended rough cut of 1993 cult film Super Mario Bros. This version is about 15 minutes longer than the theatrical cut, including new and extended scenes that expand the story and character arcs.

 

Unfortunately, the tape had very poor image quality and required heavy restoration. For this task we turned to director/editor/artist Garrett Gilchrist. Garrett is best known for his incredible work on The Recobbled Cut of The Thief and the Cobbler. This is perhaps the best and most comprehensive film restoration effort outside of official studio work.

 

In our latest video feature, Garrett shares the deleted and extended shots with commentary about his process. More work can still be done, though we hope the progress so far demonstrates the viability of an extended edition.

 

 

Exploring the Super Mario Bros. (1993) Extended Rough Cut Special: Restoration Commentary!

 

Our goal is to restore the footage for a new definitive home release. If you'd like to inquire about the project or have information on additional materials, please contact the Super Mario Bros. The Movie Archive at: admin@smbmovie.com

 

We'll be publishing additional unseen footage, as well as a commentary, so be sure to bookmark, subscribe, and share.

 

And remember: Trust the Fungus!

 

 

January 13, 2020

 


 

 

On May 15th 2019, we discovered a tape containing an extended rough cut of 1993 cult film Super Mario Bros. This version is about 15 minutes longer than the theatrical cut, including new and extended scenes that expand the story and character arcs.

 

In this latest video feature, we're excited to debut never-before-seen footage of several new scenes from the cut political commentary arc, including the infamous Spike & Iggy rap at the Boom Boom Bar. The trading cards, Official Movie Magazine, and our very own interview with Spike's actor Richard Edson revealed that a deleted rap sequence was filmed and took place during the Boom Boom Bar, just before Lena's arrival. The extended rough cut gives us a full look at how this scene was shaping up in an actual cut of the film.

 

Check out the video feature below to see for yourself!

 

 

Exploring the Super Mario Bros. (1993) Extended Rough Cut Pt. 3: Koopa, The Party Poopa

 

Our goal is to restore the footage for a new definitive home release. If you'd like to inquire about the project or have information on additional materials, please contact the Super Mario Bros. The Movie Archive at: admin@smbmovie.com

 

We'll be publishing additional unseen footage, as well as a commentary, so be sure to bookmark, subscribe, and share.

 

And remember: Trust the Fungus!

 

 

November 4, 2019

 


 

 

On May 15th 2019, we discovered a tape containing an extended rough cut of 1993 cult film Super Mario Bros. This version is about 15 minutes longer than the official theatrical cut, including new and extended scenes that expands backstory and strengthens character arcs. As a bonus, the tape also includes an extended epilogue!

 

We're excited to debut never-before-seen footage of another of these scenes: "It's More Than Just Death," featuring the Sliming of a sneezing Technician in the Devo Chamber. This sheds some light on one of the film's biggest mysteries!

 

 

Exploring the Super Mario Bros. (1993) Extended Rough Cut Pt. 2: It's More Than Just Death

 

Our goal is to restore the footage for a new definitive home release. If you'd like to inquire about the project or have information on additional materials, please contact the Super Mario Bros. The Movie Archive at: admin@smbmovie.com

 

We'll be publishing additional unseen footage, as well as a commentary, so be sure to bookmark, subscribe, and share.

 

And remember: Trust the Fungus!

 

 

August 15, 2019

 


 

 

We have an update to our previous report about the discovery of a VHS tape with cut footage from Super Mario Bros. We're thrilled to announce that the tape contains a full, extended rough cut of the 1993 cult film.

 

This version is about 15 minutes longer than the theatrical cut, including new and extended scenes that expand the story and character arcs.

We're excited to exclusively debut never-seen-before footage of one of these scenes, set during the first act while our heroes are still working in Brooklyn, where Mario and Luigi answer the call for a job at the Riverfront Cafe and encounter the Scapelli plumbers Doug and Mike.

 

 

Exploring the Super Mario Bros. (1993) Extended Rough Cut Pt. 1: Nobody Touches My Tools

 

Our goal is to restore the footage for a new definitive home release. If you'd like to inquire about the project or have information on additional materials, please contact the Super Mario Bros. The Movie Archive at: admin@smbmovie.com

 

We'll be publishing additional unseen footage, as well as a commentary, so be sure to bookmark, subscribe, and share.

 

And remember: Trust the Fungus!

 

 

June 27, 2019

 


 

 

Hey, Paisanos! Another 26th anniversary editorial is now live! In Eight Bits Against Eight Colors: Super Mario Bros., Dick Tracy and the Almost Unreal, Writer Adam Bertocci provides an in-depth analysis of Super Mario Bros. and one of its more overlooked (and underrated) contemporaries--1990's Dick Tracy live-action adaptation, starring (and directed by) Warren Beatty.

 

Check it out HERE or by visiting our Editorials page!

 

And don't forget about our Cut Footage discovery! Lots of behind the scenes work is going on with that, so look for more updates coming soon!

 

 

May 17, 2019

 


 

 

We're incredibly excited to announce just in time for the 26th anniversary the discovery of a VHS tape containing cut footage from Super Mario Bros. The tape surfaced in an eBay lot alongside materials owned by the film's primary producer Roland Joffé.

 

We will be digitizing the tape with the intention of restoring the footage for our forthcoming Region 1 Blu-Ray release. Stay tuned for updates!

 

Until then, it's a great time to revisit our Deleted Scenes page to get an idea of what footage was removed and how an extended cut might look.

 

 

May 15, 2019

 


 

 

The second of our 26th anniversary editorials is now live! In The Appeal of The Gross: Tactility and Super Mario Bros, author Zoe Crombie explores one of the unsung reasons why the Super Mario Bros. movie remains a much-discussed topic amongst genre fans: its slimy, visceral, and weird take on the Mushroom Kingdom and its inhabitants.

 

Check it out HERE or by visiting our Editorials page!

 

 

May 6, 2019

 


 

 

With the last of our 25th Anniversary Screening Events complete, we're looking forward to the 26th anniversary of the Super Mario Bros. movie! To celebrate, during the month of May we'll have some new editorial pieces to post!

 

The first of these comes from SMB Archive contributor Rory Joscelyne. His new editorial--The Live-Action Sonic is a Modern Pantomime--traces the history and impact of both the Sonic and Mario brands, along with speculation about the new Sonic film and suggestions for how fans should approach the event.

 

And for those curious about our 25th Anniversary Screening that took place in Raleigh, NC, it turned out great and there's quite a bit of footage and photos of the event, including the Q&A session that was held afterwards. Be on the lookout for that to be posted soon!

 

 

May 4, 2019

 


 

 

Calling all creators!

 

We're proud to announce "Super Mario Bros. Evolved," a collaborative fan remake of the 1993 cult video game film inspired by similar projects like Shrek Retold, Mama Luigi: Reanimated, Kirby: Reanimated and more.

 

This is a NON-PROFIT and NON-MONETIZED collaboration involving multiple creators. The Super Mario Bros.: The Movie Archive is not the primary organizer of the project nor officially affiliated. Our involvement extends no further than promoting.

 

For more information please visit the project document and book your slot via Google Spreadsheets now!

 

 

If you're wondering where all the old updates went, check out our update archive page.

 

 

 

General | Pre-Production | Post-Production | Media | Specials | Merchandise | Fan Contributions | Forum | Contact Us