The Incredible Hulk (4 Nov. 1977)

A troubled scientist's accidental overexposure to gamma radiation curses him with the tendency to change into a bestial green brute under extreme emotional stress.

Director:

Kenneth Johnson

Writer:

Kenneth Johnson

Stars:

Bill Bixby, Susan Sullivan, Jack Colvin

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Bill Bixby	...	Dr. David Bruce Banner
Susan Sullivan	...	Dr. Elaina Marks
Jack Colvin	...	Jack McGee
Lou Ferrigno	...	The Incredible Hulk
Susan Batson	...	Mrs. Maier
Mario Gallo	...	Mr. Bram
Eric Server	...	Policeman
Charles Siebert	...	Ben
Terence Locke	...	Young Man (as Terrence Locke)
June Whitley Taylor	...	Woman
George Brenlin	...	Man at Lake
Jake Mitchell	...	Jerry
William Larsen	...	Minister
Olivia Barash	...	Girl at Lake
Eric Deon	...	B.J.

Storyline

David Banner, a research scientist who is haunted by the death of his wife whom he couldn't save in a car accident is researching how to tap the hidden reserves of incredible strength all humans have. While investigating episodes of people who have displayed such strength under times of great stress, he discovers that each one coincided with a solar flare spike of gamma radiation. Convinced by the link, Banner decides to put it to the test when he deliberately doses himself with gamma radiation. Unknown to him however, the machine was modified to give a far higher dose than he anticipated. While there was no immediate effect, that soon changes when on the way home, he forced to change a tire in the rain. He injures himself and the result anger and frustration transforms him into a massively powerful green giant, the Hulk. He eventually changes back and, now he must investigate what did this thing and face the consequences.

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Plot Keywords:

scientist | car accident | frustration | experiment gone wrong | recurring nightmare | 

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Taglines:

A scientist is exposed to a massive dose of gamma rays - and becomes a superhuman beast...

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 November 1977 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min 105 min (uncut) 103 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

The heavyhearted theme song played at the end of the show is "The Lonely Man", and was composed by Joseph "Joe' Harnell (I)'.

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Goofs

Right after the Hulk begins to change back to David Banner for the first time (by the side of the lake), Banner looks into the lake and mutters "my God" when he sees his reflection with white eyes. He swats at the water, and when the image clears up he sees his face with his normal eyes. Look at the frame right before he swats the water; his eyes are already back to normal.

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Quotes

Dr. Elaina Marks: [to David] Hey, do us both a favor, don't get mad, huh?

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Connections

Edited into The Incredible Hulk: The Harder They Fall (1981)

User Reviews

Excellent comicbook adaption

The original Hulk movie brings the gamma-ridden powerhouse from the pages of Marvel Comics to the screen with -gasp! - intelligence. Rather than focussing on the epic action and destruction of the comicbook, which it hasn't the budget for anyway, the movie concentrates on creating believable characters and as realistic a plot as possible. It suceeds admirably, thanks to a superb central performance from Bill Bixby and some assured direction from Kenneth Johnson. And no comic fan can argue that Lou Ferrigno isn't the Incredible Hulk. He bursts from the four-color pages with absolute fury and destroys whatever he comes across.

The cast all perform well, with none of the over-the-top clowning you get in so many comicbook adaptions. It's got some great 70's locations and a wonderful theme tune as well. Of the six Hulk movies around, this remains the best, and with another intelligent superhero flick, X-Men (2000) demolishing the box-office, hopefully people will take a look at the last good Marvel film. Yeah, Blade was a Marvel character but Blade, in reality, is complete and utter shash.