The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989)

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 (as Gerald Dipego)

Stars:

Bill Bixby, Lou Ferrigno, Marta DuBois

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bill Bixby	...	David Banner
Lou Ferrigno	...	The Hulk
Marta DuBois	...	Ellie Mendez (as Marta Dubois)
Nancy Everhard	...	Christa Klein
Nicholas Hormann	...	Edgar
Richard Cummings Jr.	...	Al Pettiman
Joseph Mascolo	...	Albert G. Tendelli
John Rhys-Davies	...	Wilson Fisk (as John Rhys Davies)
Rex Smith	...	Matt Murdock / Daredevil
Linda Darlow	...	Fake Nurse
John Novak	...	Denny
Dwight Koss	...	John
Meredith Bain Woodward	...	Farm Supervisor (as Meredith Woodward)
Mark Acheson	...	Turk
Richard Newman	...	Apartment Owner

Storyline

David "Belson" drifts into New York City, and goes on a subway. With him is a woman and two guys. When the two guys attack the woman, David tries to help, but is beaten and turns into the Hulk and saves the woman. When he turns back, he finds himself arrested, and the woman accuses David of being her attacker. David is approached by Attorney Matt Murdock, who wants to represent him. When he tells Murdock that he can't pay him, Murdock tells him that he is hoping that David can help him incriminate Wilson Fisk, a powerful criminal. David doesn't want any part of it, but Murdock convinces him to trust him. Murdock goes to see the woman, but can't get her to change her story. Later in her room, someone tries to kill her, but she is saved by Daredevil, a crime fighter. Murdock tells David that he has to go trial, but David says he can't, but Murdock says they have no choice. Later, while David is in his cell, he turns into the Hulk and escapes. David tries to leave town, but Daredevil ...

---

Plot Keywords:

daredevil the marvel comics character | matt murdock character | wilson fisk a.k.a. kingpin character | 1980s | psychotronic film | 

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

---

Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is not the only time that Matt Murdock/Daredevil has had to defend another Marvel hero in court. On Daredevil (2015), he defends Frank Castle/Punisher. While this film was an unsuccessful attempt to give Daredevil his own series, the subsequent series led to the Punisher getting his own series.

---

Goofs

When the Hulk is running away from the Police after the Subway incident, the ends of the prosthetic forehead can be seen flapping out under the sides of the wig and also part of Lou Ferrigno's dark hair.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
David Banner: In each of us, there lives a kind of beast made of rage. Years ago, I used science to study this beast to bring him out of me. I used gamma radiation to release him. But I used too much. Far too much. Now the beast is out of my control, emerging whenever anger strikes. My name is David Banner. The world thinks I'm dead. I travel alone. I try to keep the beast caged within myself.

---

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

Follows The Incredible Hulk (1977)

User Reviews

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.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 May 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Trial of the Incredible Hulk

Filming Locations:

British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bixby-Brandon Productions, New World International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1