“Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.”
There are some certainties in life. One is that once a television series releases the final season we can count on the studio releasing a set of the entire run. The other is that David Banner would end up walking down the road alone to the melancholy tune ‘The Lonely Man.’
Dr. David Banner (Bill Bixby) was traumatized when his wife was killed in a car accident and was unable to save her. He’s perplexed that some people are able to call forth superhuman strength in such situations. He begins experimenting with gamma rays and accidentally overdoses himself with them. On the way home he suffers a flat tire in a rainstorm and hurts himself trying to change it.
The fury causes him to change into a muscular, green hulk (Lou Ferrigno). After wandering around the woods that night Banner finally calms down and transforms back into himself. Reporter Jack McGee’s (Jack Colvin) interference causes the destruction of Banner’s lab and the death of his colleague. McGee blames the Hulk for it all but no one will believe him that the creature exists.
This begins his dogged pursuit of the creature. When Banner transforms back into himself he realizes that he can never go home again and begins his lonely trek across country and to someday hopefully find a cure.
I recall that my brother couldn’t stand it when David Banner’s (Bill Bixby) eyes turned white and usually covered his eyes. It was a bit freaky to witness in those days. However it was probably the saddest show that kids could watch because every time at the end of the episode Bixby had to walk down that lonely road and leave whatever relationship he had acquired in the episode.
The show began as two feature length television films in 1977 (though they played theatrically in Europe) and would begin as a series in 1978. It would run for a total of 82 episodes run until 1982 when it was unceremoniously cancelled. Mariette Hartley would win an Emmy in 1979 for her performance in the episode “Married” and the show would have two other nominations (Cinematography in 1980 and Music in 1982).
It would be well loved by the fans and Universal has released all five seasons on DVD. With that run complete they’ve put them all together in this complete series package. It lacks the cool light effects of the Knight Rider set, but if you’re a fan of the show and haven’t been buying the seasons as they’ve been released then this is an opportunity to pick all the seasons up and save some change.
Since the set literally just collects all the previous releases there are some odd special features. For example, some season’s special features were a preview episode of the next season. Since this set collects them all it seems pretty worthless. There’s no interview with Lou Ferrigno, but show creator Kenneth Johnson is well represented.
The Incredible Hulk is presented in fullscreen. Special features include a commentary for the pilot by writer/director/producer Kenneth Johnson for season one. There’s also the bonus episode “Stop the Presses” from season two, but you got that already in this set.
Season two features the 7-minute introduction by Johnson, a commentary by him on “Married,” and the bonus episode “Homecoming” (which you also get in season three). Season three has the 17 minute “Remembering the Incredible Hulk: An American Classic” and 4 minute preview of the Hulk movie starring Edward Norton.
Season four has a commentary on “Prometheus” by Johnson, the 9 minute “Creating an Iconic Character: The Hulk,” the 2 minute “Prometheus” photo gallery with trivia captions, and the same 4 minute Hulk movie preview from season three. The final season has a 6-minute gag reel and the 18-minute “Behind the Success.”
The most amusing feature to me was that season one had a ticket to get in free to see the Norton movie, which expired July 31, 2008 – some three months ago. It made me laugh, not that I could’ve found a theater still playing the film since it came out on DVD already.
Hulk fans probably already have this set, it’s just in separate seasons setting on their shelves. If you’re a fan and have been awaiting a compilation of the series then this is your lucky day. Since I only had the fifth season, which I already reviewed, I was delighted to have the whole series since watching those episodes made me want to revisit the show. Now I get my chance I suppose.
What’s missing are the three other television films, The Return of the Incredible Hulk (1988), The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989), and the Death of the Incredible Hulk (1990), but they’re available elsewhere. I’m giving this set four stars since I liked seeing the show again, but caveat emptor if you’re expecting anything new in this set.
The Incredible Hulk: The Complete Series is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for this version of the DVD in the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
USA
Your Talkback on this Story