ScoobyMint Disappointment for a huge fan!

ChicRawIdol A brilliant film that helped define a genre

Taraparain Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

Billie Morin This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

alexanderdavies-99382 "The Incredible Hulk" has certainly proved that when it comes to television adaptations of "Marvel Comic" superheroes, the above show is in a league of its own. The emphasis was always on drama and on character and these are the shows greatest strengths. You couldn't ask for a better actor to be cast in the leading role of David Banner than Bill Bixby. He imbued the character with much depth and conviction. The way he projects a sense of maturity, of being a learned man, unassuming but constantly having to control the raging alter ego who lurks not far beneath the surface, superb. Lou Ferrigno fits the bill perfectly as the Hulk. In all honesty, he doesn't have to do much except roar, growl, flex his muscles and throw a few villains around. However, on occasion he does display some kind of depth. Jack Colvin makes for a good Jack McGee, whose character resulted from being included in the live action television show. He hadn't and hasn't been written in any "Incredible Hulk" comic books. The credit goes to writer and director Kenneth Johnson for bringing this feature length pilot episode to the small screen. He has stated quite clearly in interviews that whilst writing the script for the pilot and trying to have a regular series commissioned, he only took from the comic book, the characters of Bruce Banner and the Hulk. No references were going to be made to the military angle of the comic and no romantic angle with Betty Ross. The name David sounds better than Bruce. In addition, Kenneth Johnson made every effort in avoiding any chance of "The Incredible Hulk" being regarded as a campy show like the "Batman" series from the 1960s. I think he was absolutely spot on in doing this because at least his show wouldn't become ridiculed. I have seldom seen a pilot episode that is this well written, acted and directed. Fans of the Incredible Hulk character or of "Marvel Comics" in general, are in for a treat. Bill Bixby is a medical Doctor and research scientist David Banner, who is exploring how people can produce extraordinary feats of strength whilst under duress. We hear accounts from various people who recount their own experiences where they display such physical strength. Banner has a personal interest in this as he is still grieving over the sudden passing of his wife and he feels responsible for not being able to save her. Dissatisfied with the results of his findings, Banner stays til late at his place of work and subjects himself to an experiment. This experiment consists of Banner injecting himself with nearly 2,000,000 units of Gamma radiation. That night during a thunderstorm, he tries to change a flat tyre on the open road. Upon injuring himself, Banner screams and suddenly a startling metamorphosis occurs. Here marks the first appearance of the Incredible Hulk in a live action television show. This scene is a moment in American television history as a T.V icon was born. Usually with a "Hulk Out" moment, it took about 10 seconds to complete on screen. With this first transformation, it takes nearer 45 seconds and it is impeccably done. No computers in those days, what you saw was what you got. Initially, Lou Ferrigno looks quite menacing and frightening. He was looking quite ripped, as far as his physique was concerned. After the Hulk changes back to Banner, the latter attempts to ascertain what happened and how he can study his affliction. With the help of a trusted colleague and close friend Elaina Marks, Banner retreats to a private research facility. He finally discovers that it is anger, outrage or stress that triggers his own malady. Meanwhile, journalist Jack McGee is in hot pursuit of a big story after eyewitness accounts describe a big, green creature who is in the immediate vicinity. After the journalist has hidden himself away at the research facility and is then escorted off the premises, a huge explosion occurs and Banners colleague is trapped under some rubble. As the Hulk, Banner rescues her from the blaze but she dies in his arms. The final scene is a funeral. McGee escaped from the fire but Banner and his friend Elaina Marks are being buried after their deaths were recorded. Banner however, is alive and well. He knows that it is better for all concerned that he remain in hiding and his death faked, until he can somehow cure himself or find some way to control his raging alter ego. After the funeral service, there is a long pause and everyone has gone. Then out of nowhere, David Banner appears at the graveside to pay his respects to Elaina. The pilot episode is a powerful and gripping viewing experience. What helps this to work, is that there aren't any villains, the total number of cast members is small and the whole thing is fairly low key. All these things work wonders. We hear Bill Bixby say the now famous line: "Don't make me angry, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry." It is a line that has been often repeated. "Universal" studios were somewhat surprised by the successful viewing figures for "The Incredible Hulk" television film. Before the studio agreed to commission a regular series, they needed a bit more assurance and more convincing that the series would work. Hence why a follow up television, called "The Return of the Incredible Hulk" was made. This is a thoughtful as well as thought- provoking pilot episode and it will never be equalled as far as adaptations of "Marvel Comic" superheroes are concerned.

rooprect Riding high on the success of his excellent 1976 TV creation "The Bionic Woman", writer/director Kenneth Johnson embarked on perhaps his most ambitious project ever: bringing to the screen for the first time the story of The Incredible Hulk.The result is the best TV pilot I've ever seen in my life. Even if you're not a hulk fan, you must see this episode for its expert presentation, unparalleled acting, sublime poetry and iconic music (the "Lonely Man" piano themesong has the power to make people weep instantly).There is not a lot of action in this episode, but it's far from boring. In the opening scene, Bill Bixby brings to life the character of David Banner in a way that no one will ever be able to touch. His portrayal brings to mind the line from Thoreau: "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation." Only David Banner gets the opportunity to be not-so-quiet. Enter Lou Ferrigno 1973-1974 Mr. Universe, who needed no cgi, special effects or prosthetics to portray the hulk: the personification of raw, primeval rage. Ferrigno's roaring mass of muscles contrasted sharply against Bixby's quiet desperation to create a perfect balance of extremes.I love the entire series and the 3 TV movies that followed. But this 100 minute pilot is the best of the lot. It was a cut above the rest back in '77 and to this day it's still a cut above.Joseph Harnell was the composer, and his music will burn itself into your brain. The melody of "Lonely Man" reappears in the heart-pumping action pieces as well as the heart-wrenching piano sonata. In between we have distinct themes that are equally memorable, such as Mr. McGee's theme (which is instantly recognizable by its bass drum and hi-hat rhythm). At times Harnell mixes separate themes and moods together into one piece, perfectly in tune with the bipolar nature of the story. You'll hear trombones "fighting" with violins the same way David Banner fights with the monster within him. This is one of the cases where the music brings as much to the table as the directing, cinematography & acting.And back to the subject of acting, we get stellar performances from everyone. Not just Bixby & Ferrigno as I mentioned, but Susan Sullivan (Banner's research partner and best friend), Jack Colvin (the antagonistic reporter McGee, who is wonderfully fleshed out in subsequent episodes) and even the minor actors doing bit parts are brilliant.In terms of directing & cinematography, there was no equal in the 1970s. Kenneth Johnson made extreme use of shadows, darkness, hazy lighting and wide camera shots to create an indescribable feeling of loneliness and isolation. Back in the 70s, TV was very bright and fast paced (think "Love Boat", "Charlie's Angels", etc). But here in "The Incredible Hulk" we get a journey into darkness for the first time I had seen on network TV. Think of the way the 2003 Battlestar Galactica remake plunged us into darkness for the first time, and that is what Kenneth Johnson did for the 1970s crowd. (By the way, the 2003 BSG is my pick for 2nd greatest TV pilot in the history of time & space, don't miss it either!) I can't speak highly enough of this show. Watch it a few times. Absorb its full spectrum of human emotion: sadness, rage, love. And tip your hat to the amazingly talented individuals, particularly the great Mr. Bixby, who made this possible for us to experience.

AaronCapenBanner Bill Bixby debuts as "Doctor David Banner, physician, scientist, searching for a way to tap into the hidden strength that all humans have..." That is how the subsequent series' narration would begin for each episode, in this textbook case of how to adapt a comic book to the small screen. Bixby is highly effective in portraying this driven, and tragic man who is a victim of an accidental overdose of gamma radiation, that causes him to undergo a metamorphosis whenever he becomes angry.Also debuting in their roles are Lou Ferrigno as the Hulk, and Jack Colvin as relentless tabloid reporter Jack McGee, who pursues Banner and his colleague Elaina Marx, played by Susan Sullivan. Joe Harnell's haunting "Lonely Man" theme is heard here, and plays a big part at the end.A classic!

bob the moo Dr David Banner works alongside Dr Elaina Marks in a study into the root causes of those people who have had a sudden burst of strength when placed under extreme conditions. David has a vested interest in this having failed to save his wife from a burning car after an accident. Hearing stories of others who saved themselves and loved ones in similar circumstances, he is filled with a sense of self-loathing as well as scientific curiosity. After years of searching they decide to check the DNA of those involved and a few hours later have the answer they want. David decides to expose himself to gamma radiation to mimic his subjects DNA status. It doesn't appear to work, angering him. Things get worse as he drives home in the pouring rain and gets a flat. Unable to change it he gets very angry and his "inner anger" starts to come out. Not only does his inner anger have a complete lack of auto-repair skills, but it also forces him into an actual physical change that overtakes and controls him.Opening with a horribly hammy and soft-focus flashback of Banner being in love with his wife before losing her in a crash, I honestly thought about bailing out and giving the whole thing up as a bad job. However once you get passed these terribly dated opening scenes the films gets better and, although still very much an 1970's TVM, actually has plenty of good points about it. The narrative is engaging if a bit familiar to those who know the Hulk already from different visions and sources. In this regard it is occasionally a bit dull because it has to lean on the side of explanation as part of its role as a pilot but regardless it still does a good job of getting to the heart of the character – which is one of tragedy and loss.Although this is not a work of art it does get the tone right and even produces a suitably downbeat ending that the series could then run with. The narrative could have been better in terms of bringing out the people rather than the plot steps but it has this current running through it and it is for the best. As director Johnson may not ever manage to shake off his television pilot budget but he does seem to understand the importance of Banner's loss in his life and also in the roots of the Hulk. Bixby brings out this aspect well and although his range is limited he does seem to have understood what his character is about. Ferrigno is solid as the Hulk but overdoes the rage aspect without having the ability here to show that Banner is still below the surface – his is a limited performance. With the material being slanted in Bixby's favour the support isn't anything special but do enough for the TV standard of the film.Overall this is a TV movie and a pilot and therefore it has its limitations but it does manage to get the emotional tone (if not depth) right. The opening flashback is shockingly bad but after that even the most instructional of scenes is built on a sense of sadness and loss that does well to make the Banner character interesting even if the Hulk himself is not delivered well enough to run this through the entire film.