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The Incredible Hulk - Series 1 - Complete


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

One of the best television adaptations of a comic book, The Incredible Hulk (1978-82) lent gravity and pathos to the fantastic premise--an experiment gone wrong causes a scientist to transform into a giant creature whenever he becomes angry--established in the popular Marvel Comics series. The network version stripped away the Hulk's outlandish foes (as well as his rudimentary speech) and instead focused on the loneliness of his human alter ego, David Banner (well played by the late Bill Bixby), as he traveled across the United States in search of a cure for his affliction as well as an escape from a prying reporter (the late Jack Colvin, also terrific). But despite its Fugitive-like premise, the TV Hulk never lost its comic book audience thanks to the plausibly ferocious performance by actor/bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno (whose growls were dubbed by actors Ted Cassidy and Charles Napier) as the Hulk, who handled the action portions of the show with plausibly superhuman brawn. The Complete First Season set contains both of the pilots that kicked off the series ("Pilot" was previously released on a separate single disc) as well as all 10 episodes from the first season; among the adventures encountered by David and the Hulk are a gambling scandal in Vegas ("The Hulk Breaks Las Vegas"), a meltdown at a nuclear facility ("Earthquakes Happen"), and a runaway plane ("747," which reunites Bixby with his Courtship of Eddie's Father co-star Brandon Cruz).

Extras on the set have been the subject of much Internet debate--the commentary by series writer/producer/director Kenneth Johnson on "Pilot" is the same as on the previous DVD release of this episode (as well as the introduction by Ferrigno), and a proposed gag reel mentioned in promotional material has been moved to a future DVD release. The sole fresh bonus material is "Stop the Presses," an episode taken from the series' second season. --Paul Gaita


The charm of the jolly green giant
Review date: 2008-06-30 Rating: 8 out of 10

Incredibly entertaining first season of the 1970's television series of The Incredible Hulk. Includes two film length episodes including the pilot episode and another one of which features a fairly impressive fight scene with a bear! And ten further episodes.
I didn't find it as dark as some reviewers, though one of the episodes does feature a baby stealing operation, but I always found it engrossing and a pleasureable viewing experience.
Mostly the episodes feature David Banner overhearing some scoundrels planning a dasterdly deed whereupon they discover him listening in, give him a few slaps and dump him in a container/out of sight so that he can transform and do his thing leaving them none the wiser that weedy David and the green one are one and the same. This is in no way a criticism but the very epitomy of its charm. The transformations are great, I especially like the latter stage when it is Bill Bixby (David Banner)with a huge forehead, eyebrows and mad hair but his little face all green. Lou Ferrigno looks suitably impressive as 'The Hulk' and must be enormous in real life though not as big as the foot cast they showed in one of the episodes which would have put him somewhere in the 20 foot + region.
The stories are good and the effects vary greatly, the whole gorilla thing in one episode was a bit silly but as I said this programme can seemingly charm its way through anything.
Interestingly one of the episodes about a female trucker used a number of clips from Spielbergs 'Duel' I had recently seen this film again and spotted these sequences easily. Even the end sequence with the truck going over the cliff was used. It would be interesting to find out if any other borrowed scenes were utilised from other sources, I suspect the earthquake episode may have done the same. It was also fun to watch some of the scenes when David is taking a pasting and you can clearly see it's not him but a stand-in, a bit silly for a review to focus on but I like that type of thing, continuity errors etc.
It is difficult to say how modern viewers would rate this, I think it is well made and good quality tv fare which has withstood the test of time. If you remember this like I and enjoyed it at the time chances are you will still like it now. It was intersting watching it now as opposed to when I was younger to see that David is quite a hit with the ladies, though in the first series at least this is never taken anywhere. There is always that everpresent underlying sense of prevailing sadness as David snuffs out another potential new start and the lonely hitchiker hits the road again. He sporadically hints at his personal feelings of loss over his dead wife and in-keeping with the morality of the story respects the sanctity of the memory of his wife.
I'll certainly get the rest of these though I see the whole collection is being released together which works out cheaper than buying them individually. Very good overall.

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Reviews


An incredible series and an incredible transfer
Review date: 2007-12-15 Rating: 10 out of 10

This show is fantastic. Not really what you would expect from a "superhero" show, this is more like "The fugitive" meets "Dr. Jeckyl and mr. Hyde" (only with mr. Hyde not being actually evil) and has a dark and sad tone.

What impressed me more was the image quality of this set. Unlike other Universal boxsets of old series that i own (like Kolchak: the night stalker) which are pretty awful with no digital restoration, the incredible Hulk looks amazing. Played on a good upscaling DVD player this seventies show is a sight to behold:Really sharp and clean and with vivid images.

So 5/5 for the actual and 5/5 for picture quality. You can't go wrong with this great boxset of this incredible series.

My favourite superhero TV series of all time
Review date: 2007-06-28 Rating: 10 out of 10

Out of all the comic superheroes that have been made into a TV series, I can't think of one that I have ever really really liked, that is apart from this fantastic series of which I used to watch as a child in the early 1980's and I can't be accused of being biased (maybe a little nostalgic) because The Incredible Hulk wasn't my favourite superhero.

The great thing about this series is that you don't even have to be much of a fan of superheroes to like this (I wouldn't class myself as a massive superhero fan), it is the programme itself that is fantastic. I am not going to go into the whole history of what The Incredible Hulk actually is and how he turned out this way because I am sure everybody must surely know, even people who have never seen it and so I will just make a few comments on why I love this series. First of all there is the sadly departed actor Bill Bixby who in my opinion was born to play the role of Doctor David Banner, he had one of those faces that just made you really care about him and I know that people say this about a lot of actors but I truly don't think that this would have been the same without him.

It really was clever the way this series was made, it just feels a lot darker than most similar type of programmes and this is another reason why I really did and still do love it. It all starts off in a kind of cheesy dreamlike way with Banner and his wife living happily ever after and then all of a sudden they have a car accident, his wife dies and he survives and this is another reason why I say this was clever because to put this right at the beginning just after he was looking so happy makes me feel sorry for that Bill Bixby face even more.

Although I have already mentioned what happens at the beginning and if you have never seen this before then don't worry as this will in no way spoil it for you but if I say anymore about the story then it might and so I will say no more about it. I am just going to say one last thing about why I really like it and this is because of the style of which it was made, I mean for example, the whole way in which David Banner helps somebody in one town and then moves on to the next, I know this has been done many times but this must have been one of the first considering how old it is and I do love this style. It is at the end of each episode when we see him on his lonesome walking off after he has just made some new friends and having to say goodbye (another reason to feel sorry for that Bill Bixby face), moving onto another town by usually either catching puplic transport or hitch-hiking and it is at this point that the saddest music ever in my opinion to end an episode of a TV series begins, seriously, if ever a moment in a TV series can make a grown man cry then this is surely that moment. If you have ever seen the programme New Littlest Hobo, the way in which each episode ends always reminds me of that particular programme, although the music of which is both great couldn't be anymore more different.

I almost forgot to mention the role of The Incredible Hulk himself played by Lou Ferrigno, he played this part well both scary and likeable. I know that hardcore hulk fans probably already know this but I was suprised to learn only recently that Arnold Schwarzenegger auditioned for this part but was turned down because he wasn't tall enough, I really do learn something everyday.

Anyway, I am not going to say anymore other than to recommend this TV series to anyone, kids or adults and like I have already said, even if you don't really like superhero programmes you still might like this.

A Hulk smash!
Review date: 2007-04-07 Rating: 10 out of 10

After being widowed in a car accident, Doctor David Banner (Bixby) bombards his own body with Gamma radiation in the hope that he will unlock the key to hidden strength. Unable to understand why he couldnt tap this power in his hour of need, his experiment with his own DNA unleashes his inner rage, personified as the Hulk (Ferrigno). The Hulk becomes linked to the death of Banner and his fellow research colleague in an explosion, leaving the doctor unable to prove that he wasn't responsible and destined to travel from city to city in the hopes of finding a cure to his condition.
Bill Bixby is superb as Banner, bringing a deep sincerity to the role of the tormented doctor, whilst Ferrigno managers to deliver both equal amounts of fury and innocence to the Jade giant.
By following the fugitive's formula of 'man on the run', each episode is able to invoke suspense as Banner gets ever closer to his personal quest only to have it snatched away from him in the eleventh hour. This leaves the audience with much reflection as the sombre tones play out during the end credits, whilst Banner once again hits the road in search of his next opportunity.
The episodes offer many highlights, in particular "The Hulk breaks Las Vegas" as investigative reporter Jack Magee (Colvin) gets closer to discovering the connection the creature has to Banner. The real treat though is "747" which sees Banner travel cross country in the desperate hope to reach a doctor who may offer an answer. Unfortunately his journey is complicated by a rogue pilot and leads to a deep psychological battle as Banner has to take control of an aeroplane whilst fighting his own transformation.
This boxset contains two feature length stories plus the remaining 10 episodes of the first season as well as a bonus episode from season 2.
Apart from a few ropey effects (which can be easily forgiven) this is a first rate show. If you were put off by Ang Lee's brilliant yet misjudged "Hulk" but can find a place in your heart for the green goliath, this is a must own collection.


better than the movie hulk
Review date: 2006-11-04 Rating: 10 out of 10

if you want to see the hulk at his best on tv then buy this set not the movie from 2003 because the episodes get you involved from the start my persanal favarate from season 1 death in the family has a great story with great actors and a emotional ending all the episodes will get you stuck in your seat from start to finish buy this now

please release season 2

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Bill Bixby
Jack Colvin
Lou Ferrigno

Creators:
Bill Bixby (Primary Contributor)
Lou Ferrigno (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
EAN: 5050582432930
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 4
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2006-08-28
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 671 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)

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