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

Dr. Banner was named Bruce in the comics, but is renamed David for this telefilm. The tombstone at the end of the episode reveals his full name to be David Bruce Banner. This is actually partially consistent with the comics, in which his full name is Robert Bruce Banner.

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Goofs

Dr. Marks (Susan Sullivan) Tells David, "I always liked your mother" and David replies, "She always liked you". But in The Incredible Hulk: Homecoming it's clear that David Banner's mother died when he was a small boy, but he didn't meet Dr. Marks until Medical school, so his mother and Dr. Marks could never have met.

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Quotes

Dr. David Banner: Do you think we will ever find where that strength comes from?
Dr. Elaina Marks: I don't know. But we'll certainly share a lot of donuts together, and I'll probably get fat.

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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 The Incredible Hulk (1977)

User Reviews

A Cool Looking Monster In The Pilot

This is a lot better than the television show that followed and that footage in the rain with David transforming into The Hulk for the first time is outstanding! Note the editing and music used in this footage. Right after this scene we cut to the lake scene with the direction and music still on a very high standard: even the green paint on The Hulk's skin looks more impressive than usual! But this high standard of production could never last in the lower budget weekly television series, which is too bad as this movie displayed what The Incredible Hulk series could have been if more money was put into it! I am told The Incredible Hulk series got more female viewers than male viewers so maybe I was the wrong sex for it?