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The Trial of the Incredible Hulk

  • TV Movie
  • 1989
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
3.2K
YOUR RATING
Lou Ferrigno and Bill Bixby in The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989)
SuperheroActionAdventureDramaSci-Fi

When Banner is held as a witness to a violent crime linked to the Kingpin, the fugitive is helped by lawyer Matt Murdock who is also the superhero, Daredevil.When Banner is held as a witness to a violent crime linked to the Kingpin, the fugitive is helped by lawyer Matt Murdock who is also the superhero, Daredevil.When Banner is held as a witness to a violent crime linked to the Kingpin, the fugitive is helped by lawyer Matt Murdock who is also the superhero, Daredevil.

  • Director
    • Bill Bixby
  • Writer
    • Gerald Di Pego
  • Stars
    • Bill Bixby
    • Lou Ferrigno
    • Marta DuBois
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.8/10
    3.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Bill Bixby
    • Writer
      • Gerald Di Pego
    • Stars
      • Bill Bixby
      • Lou Ferrigno
      • Marta DuBois
    • 32User reviews
    • 41Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos52

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    Top cast24

    Edit
    Bill Bixby
    Bill Bixby
    • David Banner
    Lou Ferrigno
    Lou Ferrigno
    • The Hulk
    Marta DuBois
    Marta DuBois
    • Ellie Mendez
    • (as Marta Dubois)
    Nancy Everhard
    Nancy Everhard
    • Christa Klein
    Nicholas Hormann
    Nicholas Hormann
    • Edgar
    Richard Cummings Jr.
    Richard Cummings Jr.
    • Al Pettiman
    Joseph Mascolo
    Joseph Mascolo
    • Albert G. Tendelli
    John Rhys-Davies
    John Rhys-Davies
    • Wilson Fisk
    • (as John Rhys Davies)
    Rex Smith
    Rex Smith
    • Matt Murdock…
    Linda Darlow
    Linda Darlow
    • Fake Nurse
    John Novak
    John Novak
    • Denny
    Dwight Koss
    Dwight Koss
    • John
    Meredith Bain Woodward
    Meredith Bain Woodward
    • Farm Supervisor
    • (as Meredith Woodward)
    Mark Acheson
    Mark Acheson
    • Turk
    Richard Newman
    Richard Newman
    • Apartment Owner
    Don MacKay
    Don MacKay
    • Judge
    • (as Don Mackay)
    Doug Abrahams
    Doug Abrahams
    • Trial Prosecutor
    Mitchell Kosterman
    Mitchell Kosterman
    • Jay
    • Director
      • Bill Bixby
    • Writer
      • Gerald Di Pego
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews32

    5.83.2K
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    Featured reviews

    Chiron1987

    Surprisingly earnest comic book fare

    The Trial of the Incredible Hulk was the second in a trilogy of made-for-television films continuing the agonizing journey of scientist David Banner and his quest to cure him of the inner monster called the Hulk. The Trial of the Incredible Hulk stands as the best of the bunch, and remains a fairly well-written and superbly acted telepic.

    Banner is arrested and charged for a crime he doesn't commit while travelling through a city. His court-appointed attorney is the blind Matt Murdock, who strives to free Banner, who feels he must be locked up. Murdock is also fighting against the corruption of Wilson Fisk, the city's resident crime lord, in the guise of the oddly black-suited Daredevil. We find that like Banner, Murdock had an accident with radioactive materials, but while taking his sight, the atomic trauma left Matt with enhanced senses of smell, hearing, taste, touch, and radar-like sensory perception.

    The late, great Bill Bixby is in top form as the strained David Banner, and his brutish counterpart, the Hulk, is again portrayed intensely by the legendary Lou Ferrigno. Rex Smith, veteran of a variety of television shows and soap operas, is excellent as Matt Murdock, and his athletic alter ego, Daredevil. Smith delivers most of the best lines in this film, and might have been a good lead in a spin-off Daredevil series. Character actor John Rhys-Davies is Wilson Fisk, the cool and calculated crime boss, known by the moniker, the Kingpin, in the comics.

    The film's effects and action sequences are standard television fare -- done quickly and cheaply -- but still, it is a very promising and uplifting film, right down to its exciting climax and positive ending.

    Recommended.
    8Phil-King-1967

    He's back...with a friend. ;)

    I want to start by saying unlike a lot of reviews for this movie i think this one is better than The Incredible Hulk Returns movie but it still has the odd looking Hulk make-up and not quite as bad music but still could have been better, especially when David is transforming into The Hulk. I loved the sound they used in the series.

    Here was have another Marvel star in the guise of The Daredevil with a couple more Marvel characters thrown in for good measure, and once again this felt like another pilot to a TV series. The movies worked really well but could have been more of The Hulk in it and the Daredevil fight scenes could have been more convincing. That aside it was still good to see The Hulk back and if they decide to bring more Marvel friends then more the merrier i say.

    I love how they are not playing it safe with these Hulk movies, there was still nothing in TV like this and will always be my favorite TV drama franchise.

    Keep them coming i remember thinking when i 1st saw this many years ago and they did.

    This movie was followed by The Death of The Incredible Hulk.
    scarecrowcomics

    HULK SMASH!

    The Trial of the Incredible Hulk was the first live-action appearances of Daredevil/Matt Murdock and Kingpin/Wilson Fisk. For a die hard Daredevil fan, it does kinda fall flat but it's a very good attempt for "PG" rated tv. I liked Rex Smith as Daredevil and I would have enjoyed a tv series spin off, which was a possiblity at the time. I even liked the suit BETTER then the new film version! I would believe him to be more ninja like then in shiny leather, sorry... The fighting here wasn't to par with the new flick but his mannerisms give you a since that he does have a bit of struggle as a blind fighter (even if he has gifts). With the new Hulk film on the way it's refeshing to know that all these characters exist in one reality in the comics. It's fun to see them together "In The Flesh". I highly recommend picking up the new 2 disk set, which also features "Return of the Incredible Hulk with a lackluster version of Thor as his partner in heroism.
    6SnoopyStyle

    The Hulk meets Daredevil

    David Banner (Bill Bixby) has been drifting and avoiding confrontations after faking his own death. He fears his anger could turn him into The Hulk (Lou Ferrigno) after the gamma radiation experiment. Blind lawyer Matt Murdock is secretly superhero Daredevil. His nemesis is wealthy criminal Wilson Fisk (John Rhys-Davies) who directs a diamond store heist from the comforts of his tower. In the subway, two of Fisk's men harass Ellie Mendez. Banner gets in the middle and turns into the Hulk. He ends up getting arrested after Mendez is threatened and she turns witness against Banner. Murdock takes on his case. Christa Klein is his assistant. Albert G. Tendelli is an incorruptible police captain.

    I watched The Incredible Hulk sporadically when I was a child. The sad tone probably put me off. Watching this as an adult, I'm appreciating the characterization of Banner. The Hulk makes a few appearances including a dream sequence of the trial with a Stan Lee cameo. It's missing a final big Hulk battle with Fisk's organization. That could have been epic. This is sort of a backdoor pilot for a Daredevil series that never happened. The cast is good and there is some possibilities. Filming in Vancouver does hold it back. This is an interesting attempt at comic book adaptation back in the old days.
    cosmic_quest

    Worth a look for Daredevil fans

    I've always been a fan of the Marvel characters but, by the time I was old enough to properly watch Bill Bixby's 'Incredible Hulk' series, it just seemed rather dated, especially since my head was filled with the special effects of the first two 'Superman' films. It also didn't help that the big, green hero terrified me as a child! That said, this film is enjoyable enough to catch the first live-action look at Daredevil (one of my personal favourites of the Marvel characters) and his interactions with David Banner.

    The film sees David Banner, whose alter-ego is the Incredible Hulk, intervening in the mugging of a woman only to end up accused of assault when the victim mistakenly thinks he was the one who attacked her. When the case goes to trial, Banner finds himself represented by blind Matt Murdock, lawyer by day and crime-fighting Daredevil by night. Murdock hopes Banner can help him bring down a powerful crime bass and soon circumstances see the Incredible Hulk and Daredevil working towards the same goal.

    Bill Bixby gives a decent performance as the down-trodden, world-weary David Banner, a man persecuted for his alter-ego yet still determined to do the right thing. Rex Smith also delivers in his role as Matt Murdock, giving those not familiar with the character a glimpse of what he could do, and John Rhys Davies excels as always as the Kingpin.

    The main reason for watching 'The Trial of the Incredible Hulk' is to see the Incredible Hulk and Daredevil's connect and rub shoulders with one another. Of course, this Matt Murdock not only has a less flashier suit but he's living in the lap of luxury in some mansion instead of struggling in a Hell's Kitchen apartment on his meagre wage but it's a rare chance to see two Marvel series' mingle and the film handles it well, showing the strengths and flaws of both characters and how both have their fights in life. This is a film for Marvel fans and those who would liked Ben Affleck's 'Daredevil' film and need something to tide them over until the possible sequel is released.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Stan Lee has a cameo as the foreman of the jury in the dream sequence. This marks his first ever cameo in a Marvel Comics adaptation, though this would become a tradition in later adaptations.
    • Goofs
      Dr. David Bruce Banner has a beard but his alter ego the Hulk is clean shaved.
    • Quotes

      David Banner: I'm a doctor. I would like to have a look at your eyes.

      Matt Murdock: You doctors know nothing of radiation.

      David Banner: I happen to know a lot about it.

      Matt Murdock: Can my sight be restored?

      David Banner: No.

      Matt Murdock: I appreciate your honesty.

    • Alternate versions
      The UK video version was cut by 15 secs by the BBFC to edit shots of a butterfly knife and to remove an ear-clap during a fight scene. The cuts were restored for the 2007 12-rated Starz DVD release.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Chronic Rift: Women in SF (1990)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 7, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Der unheimliche Hulk vor Gericht
    • Filming locations
      • British Columbia, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Bixby-Brandon Productions
      • New World International
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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