Customer Reviews

The Incredible Hulk - Original Television Premiere

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3 star:		(1)
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The Incredible Hulk film that comes out this summer has one thing that differentiates it from the other Marvel Comics film adaptations - the t.v. series that came before it is actually quality enough to give the film a run for it's money. The show never stooped to the campiness of shows like Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, and the original Superman t.v. show which catered to only children. This show had sophisticated stories that dealt with the inner struggle of a man trying to control his metamorphosis into a dangerous creature. Bill Bixby's acting was always excellent and made an unbelievable concept completely believable. I am glad to see the pilot finally coming out on DVD with the Married episode, which is a very emotional episode and proves that this was far more than just a kid's show. This t.v series definitely deserves to be released on DVD on a season by season basis. I can't wait till June!

Do yourself a favor and skip this summer's over-promoted blockbuster. That's right. On Friday, June 20, do yourself a favor and take that $9 you were going to spend on admission and $6 on popcorn and purchase The Incredible Hulk Original Television Pilot DVD, and curl up on the couch for 3 hours of the most moving human drama you will ever see.

Having seen the theatrical film, I can promise you that its overblown CGI effects and cliche characters are cold and lifeless compared to the original televison series created by Kenneth Johnson, the brilliant man who gave us the original V mini-series and both the Six Million Dollar Man and Bionic Woman, and brought to life by the incredible and unforgettable talents of Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno.

The first 5 minutes of the Pilot episode has more humanity than a single frame of Ang Lee's new Hulk film. It is the sad, tragic origin of Dr. David Bruce Banner's endless quest to come to terms with his wife's unfortunate death and the accident that caused him to transform into the infernal green Hulk.

But that's just the beginning of the story. This DVD also includes perhaps the most powerfully moving episode of the series called "Married" and it is a real treat. I remember watching it as a 6 year old boy back in 1978 and thought it was very sad. Now, having seen it again as a 31 year old man, I can tell you that by the end you will not be able to hold back the tears from streaming down your face. It is perhaps the saddest piece of drama I have ever seen.

Now, what would you rather watch? Some cold, lifeless, CGI infested blockbuster that has absolutely no soul or depth of character, or a 25 year old television show that reminds you what it means to be a human being and can all be attributed to a single differential reason: Story.

The DVD is finally here. I bought it the day it came out and was very pleased. It includes the pilot episode with Susan Sullivan and the "Married" episode with Mariette Hartley, both written and directed by Kenneth Johnson.

These episodes were great choices for the first DVD. They are exceptionally well written and the acting in them is terrific. The sets and make-up are also outstanding too. These shows stand the test of time because they were not only well done but they include messages that are truly timeless: the preciousness of life and man's inability to control not only his environment, but his emotions.

One feature that puts this DVD into the "must have" category is the commentary by writer/director Kenneth Johnson. He gives a lot of insight into how the series was put together and what the inspirations were.

There are some humorous moments in the DVD too: Jack McGee's outrageous Jackie O sunglasses in the pilot, the disco boys with their chest hair in "Married" and of course the leisure suits, big hair and first generation Nikes worn my Bill Bixby.

If you are a fan of The Incredible Hulk TV series these DVD is a must have. Those who remember and enjoyed the series as a kid will definitely enjoy it, especially with its low price.

Now, hopefully a season by season set of the series will be in the offing...

The "Pilot" and "Married" are arguably the two most emotional, well-scripted episodes of the Hulk ever created. Even among all dramas in television history, these stand out among the best of the best.

But keep in mind, these episodes are for the mature viewer. If you are one of those people who simply want to watch something where the Hulk smashes stuff, then you are better off buying the recent Hulk movie. These episodes are a much more mature, sophisticated interpretation of a comic book character that focuses much more on the drama rather than pure action.

The pilot film of the Incredible Hulk tv series may very well be the most heartwrenching film ever put to film. To have "Married" (another heartbreaking moment realized by series developer Kenneth Johnson) on the dvd is just icing on the cake. If you love the Hulk, pick this up. It doesnt dissapoint.

Not having seen the pilot episode of "The Incredible Hulk" since I was a child, I was pleasantly surprised by its intelligent, witty script and sure-handed direction. Kenneth Johnson, the pilot's writer, director, and producer, guides the cast, lead by the always excellent Bill Bixby, through a thoughtful exploration of love and loss disguised as a monster movie.

Lou Ferrigno, a novice to acting before his stint as the growling, green Hulk, performs admirably, inspiring the right amounts of fear and pathos. Johnson even finds time for a homage to James Whale's "Frankenstein" in a scene where the Hulk discovers a young girl sitting beside a lake - shades of Boris Karloff in the Universal classic.

What is most impressive to me is Johnson's refusal to pander to a kiddie audience by "camping up" the material. He gives plausible, pseudo-scientific reasons for Bixby, as Dr. David Bruce Banner, to pursue a bombardment of gamma rays that eventually transform him into a raging beast.

Not that the film is all touchy-feely. The scene where the creature - later dubbed "The Hulk" by a news tabloid - breaks free of a steel tank is effectively chilling, with great lighting and atmosphere. Compare the Hulk here with the computer-animated monstrosity of the theatrical film and you'll realize that Ferrigno is the more menacing, because he's 100 per cent, in-your-face, real.

Surprisingly, too, very little changes were made when the pilot was picked up for a regular series (I remember reading that the Hulk's make-up was modified somewhat to make him less fearsome). This is a tribute to the thought and skill of Johnson, Bixby, Ferrigno and crew - their work here is the perfect set-up for the seasons to come.

This DVD looks as if it were produced on a shoestring budget. Sound quality is acceptable, and the picture, while occasionally grainy, is generally clear. A nice bonus is the two-parter, "Married," on the DVD's second side. But the real gem is the commentary by Johnson over the pilot. It's an crash course in television production and a gold mine for fans of the TV Hulk.

All in all, a lot of bang for the buck. I only hope that Universal will decide to release future volumes of the regular series.

I enjoyed the pilot, and the series as a kid. I still enjoyed it. I don't ever remember seeing the "Married" episode when I was younger, but it was great seeing it now - it epitomised what the hulk meant to me as a kid - a kind hearted man caught in a nightmare that he could not control.

Both the pilot and the married episodes are argubly the best. Bill Bixby's acting is always superb. Susan Sullivan was very convincing as a scientist and Mariette Hartley won an emmy award for her performance as the bride of the hulk. Also included is commentaries by writer, director and producer Kenneth Johnson. The first hulk-out with the flat tire is a must see.

Not really a Marvel comics fanatic, but I've always ejoyed this movie very much. This is the true Hulk film in my opinion.

Bill Bixby is excellent as David Banner and Lou Ferrigno also as the green giant. This is basically a dramatic film, concentrating on the human aspect of the story. It's quite a tragedy film really.

Now, I higly recommend this film. But if you liked the new version, you're probably not gonna enjoy this film much. Personally I thought the 2003 film was horrible.

Also, terrific extras on this disc. A solid two part episode included, titled "Married". You can probably guess how that one turns out, but it's pretty good.

I have been here from the very begining of the series. I can't say that I have enjoyed every episode, but the ones I love are most memerable, and this DVD includes the episodes that make this series a classic in TV. history. Bill Bixby was very serious about this production as was Lou as it shows in their performance. This DVD is great in picture quality, although is grainy in some spots but still above and beyond VHS and even the original broadcast. Both episodes(original pilot,Married) are very crisp and clean, with only a few flaws. The sound is mono but still clean, and has HiFi definition above and beyond what you heard back in the 70's or even on the SciFi network. Well worth the price so grab it!!!!!