The Incredible Hulk 

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 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:

the incredible hulk character | scientist | frustration | car accident | reference to benjamin franklin | 

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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)

Also Known As:

Der unglaubliche Hulk

Filming Locations:

California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min 105 min (uncut) 103 min (cut) 120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

The casting department sought Arnold Schwarzenegger for the role of the Hulk, but the producers felt that he wasn't tall enough.

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Goofs

In her interview B.J.'s mother displays burn marks/skin grafts and discusses being burned in the accident but her flashbacks to the accident show no burns to her face.

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Quotes

Dr. David Banner:

• it's the same story, over and over again...

[slams notebook in rage]
Dr. David Banner:

• but WHAT is the common DENOMINATOR?

Dr. Elaina Marks: David, believe me, if I knew the answer, I'd tell you.

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Alternate Versions

Though originally shown as a two-hour TV-movie, it has been edited to be shown as two one-hour episodes for syndication. In order to make up for the additions of a recap of the first hour at the beginning of the second and a full second set of opening and closing titles, as well as for clearing more time for extra commercials, a significant amount of footage was excised, including all of Jack McGee's visit to Dr. Marks' home the morning after Banner's first "Hulk-out," during which he, unknown to either of them, glimpsed Banner over her shoulder.

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Connections

Version of Hulk (2003)

User Reviews

It is by far better than I remembered it to be

The last time I saw this movie I was 7 years old. When I saw the DVD in the shop some 24 years later, I could not resist to buy it. After watching it, I think it is money well spent.

It is by far better than I remembered it to be. Kenneth Johnson takes some strong liberties with the character's name and origin. Nonetheless, the audience bought his treatment, and the show ran for five years.

After seeing way too many hokey comic book adaptions as well as the latest big screen blockbuster, I must say that this is most certainly very well done. The acting was top notch and Bixby will always be the definitive David Bruce Banner. Lou Ferrigno gave the creature more soul than the recent CGI incarnation. Ferrigno portrayed a non-evil, but nonetheless frightening creature, an element which is sadly lacking in the big screen adaption. The lonely man theme at the end, sets the tone for the story. The Hulk/Banner is a tragic story, and despite all of Johnson's liberties is more true to the character than the big screen adaption ever will be.

A classic for people like me who enjoy adaptions of comic-book characters. 8 out of 10.