The Incredible Hulk - Original Television Premiere (1978)

Universal's Incredible Hulk DVD will satisfy fans of the CBS television series by offering the two-hour 1978 pilot, as well as the feature-length second-season opener, "Married," and a commentary track by series creator Kenneth Johnson. In bringing the Hulk to TV, Johnson decided to focus on its human alter ego, scientist Bruce Banner (here renamed David), rather than its rampages. In the pilot, Banner (Bill Bixby) is haunted by the death of his wife and unleashes his untapped rage in the form of a monstrous creature (Lou Ferrigno) after experimenting with radiation. And in "Married," Banner falls for a researcher (Mariette Hartley in an Emmy-winning performance) who attempts to cure his "hulk-outs." Johnson's solid scripting and direction and fine performances from the leads made the series a critical and audience favorite during its network run, and the DVD--deceptive cover art aside (which features images from the 2003 Hulk theatrical feature)--should again please longtime fans and novice viewers alike. --Paul Gaita Amazon.com

Surprisingly good film

The first episode of "The Incredible Hulk" (1977) starring Bill Bixby is a surprisingly good film in its own right (it runs about 90 minutes), and is much, much better than the Ang Lee film of 2003. While the series that followed quickly became formulaic and predictable (essentially a riff on "The Fugitive" series from a decade before), the television film that began it all is actually pretty original and moving.

For anyone familiar with the Marvel comics on which the show is based, it's clear that writer-director Kenneth Johnson took many liberties with the original source material, but that's not a bad thing. Instead of focusing on the action, this film is a surprisingly poignant and sad character drama, punctuated with moments of genuine horror whenever the Hulk appears.

Well worth revisiting if you haven't seen it in awhile. May 25, 2008

The Incredible Hulk pilot movie is good but not "Married"!

The Incredible Hulk TV pilot movie is very good! The pilot movie directed by Kenneth Johnson is very good! the story about how David Banner (Bill Bixby) became the Incredible Hulk (Lou Ferrigno) is excellent. However, the married episode is not that great. the Married episode's ending is very poor and not good because David Banner loses another loved one (Mariette Hartley as Doctor Fields) in his search to find a cure of his mutation. I will recommend the Incredible Hulk Televison prmiere dvd for the pilot movie but I did not like the "Married" episode that came with it. B + April 18, 2008

THE INCREDIBLE HULK: Incredibly good 70'S TV!

I was 7-years-old when THE INCREDIBLE HULK first aired on television back in '78. It was one of my favorite tv shows next to others like THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN. Feeling nostalgic not having seen the show in nearly 30 years, I recently rented the original pilot episode and, much to my surprise and pleasure, it was better than I remembered. I was especially shocked at how serious the show took itself. Sure, some of the HULK's antics may lean a little towards the campy side, but overall, the television show was clearly aimed towards an adult audience. The pilot episode was excellent. Great story, great acting and great 1978 made-for-television special effects. Bill Bixby does a bang-up job with the David Banner character and Ferrigno's portrayal of the Hulk is very good. Watching this fun piece of childhood memories has now persuaded me to add season 1 of THE INCREDIBLE HULK to my dvd collection. April 20, 2007

Very 70's production is this Hulk show

I watched the pilot ep recently for the first time in over 22 years! The computers Dr.'s Banner and Marx use are very crude and dated looking. The docs also use lingo about mitochondria when, back then, almost nobody in America knew what that was. Today in this society of dna fingerprinting and the genetic search for our origins mitochondria is almost a regular part of the american vocabulary. The clothes the people wear in this film also scream 70's. Plaid pants and leisure suits!

On other aspects the commentary by producer Kenneth Johnson is very informative. I like this DVD a lot. December 5, 2005

Inside the mind of David Banner

This is what The Hulk was all about. The subject matter of these two movies present the imagery that you see when David Banner "flashes back" to his past throughout the series. The Pilot episode obviously being the beginning and the "Married" episode where Banner is married a second time and loses his wife once again.
Both movies follow creative and interesting storylines. I found them to be, by far, the most well-produced Hulk movies. If you were a fan of the series, then you will want to see these movies.
The DVD contains some extras. Nothing too special. An intro by Lou Ferrigno and a preview of the 2003 Hulk movie. October 19, 2005

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