The Trial of the Incredible Hulk
The Trial of the Incredible Hulk | |
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Genre | |
Created by | Kenneth Johnson |
Based on | |
Written by | Gerald Di Pego |
Directed by | Bill Bixby |
Starring | |
Theme music composer |
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Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Producers |
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Production locations | |
Cinematography | Chuck Colwell |
Editor | Janet Ashikaga |
Running time | 95 minutes |
Production companies |
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Original release | |
Network | NBC |
Release | May 7, 1989 |
Related | |
The Incredible Hulk Returns The Death of the Incredible Hulk |
The Trial of the Incredible Hulk is a 1989 American
Plot
On the run again after the events of the previous TV film, David Banner is working under the name David Belson. A bully pushes him around and David is tempted to fight him, but, knowing he will turn into the Hulk again, he walks away.
Later, David makes his way toward a large city with the hopes of staying incognito. Unbeknownst to him, the city is under the control of a powerful underworld crime boss named
While he is awaiting trial,
David teams up with Daredevil, who reveals his identity as Matt Murdock. Matt tells David about his origins and reveals that he has an ally on the police force who provides him with information relating to criminal activity. Daredevil goes to investigate a tip provided by his informant, but the tip was planted by Wilson Fisk, using Ellie Mendez as bait in a trap. Daredevil is badly injured in an ambush by Fisk's men before David rushes to save Matt. Matt traces the Hulk's face as he transforms back to David, thus learning David's secret.
Using his training as a medical doctor, David treats Matt and spreads a cover story about his injuries being the result of falling down stairs. While Matt's self-confidence is seriously shaken, David's confidence has been restored by seeing how Matt has embraced his unique gifts, which are also caused by exposure to radiation. Matt begins to recover and retrain his body. Soon, the two return to work and go to save Ellie with assistance from Fisk's sympathetic right hand Edgar. The two engage Fisk and his men and best him without the Hulk appearing. Fisk and Edgar escape, and Ellie is freed.
David and Matt part as friends. David continues his search for a cure for himself, and Matt remains in the city to protect it.
Cast
- Bill Bixby as Dr. David Banner
- Lou Ferrigno as Hulk
- Rex Smith as Matt Murdock / Daredevil
- John Rhys-Davies as Wilson Fisk
- Marta DuBois as Ellie Mendez
- Nancy Everhard as Christa Klein
- Richard Cummings Jr. as Al Pettiman
- Nicholas Hormann as Edgar
- Joseph Mascolo as Dep. Chief Albert G. Tendelli
- Linda Darlow as Fake Nurse
- John Novak as Denny
- Dwight Koss as John
- Meredith Bain Woodward as Farm Supervisor
- Mark Acheson as Turk Barrett
Production
Filming took place in Vancouver, Canada for a month beginning on February 15, 1989.[5]
Stan Lee's debut cameo appearance
The Trial of the Incredible Hulk began the long history of discreet live-action cameo appearances by Stan Lee, co-creator of the Hulk. He is the jury foreman in the dream sequence. It is not, however, the first cameo appearance by a Marvel creator. Jack Kirby had already made an uncredited cameo appearance in the 1979 Incredible Hulk episode "No Escape".
Reception
Though it did not succeed in giving birth to a Daredevil television series, The Trial of the Incredible Hulk garnered very high ratings.[4]
Viewers were less enthusiastic about it than The Incredible Hulk Returns. The most common criticisms were the absence of the Hulk himself from the final act and the misleading title (the "trial" only takes place in a dream sequence).[4]
In a retrospective review for the
Home media
This television film was released on VHS by
References
- ^ Harmetz, Aljean (1988-10-11). "Superheroes' Battleground: Prime Time". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-08-12.
- ^ "F.O.O.M. (Flashbacks of Ol' Marvel) #16: "I'm Free Now – The Incredible Hulk (1988-1990)"". Comic Bulletin. Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2010-09-09.
- Time Warner). Retrieved December 12, 2016.
- ^ a b c Glenn, Greenberg (February 2014). "The Televised Hulk". Back Issue! (70). TwoMorrows Publishing: 25.
- ^ Caroll, Liz (5 February 1989), "Hulk to take the stand", The Sunday News, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, p. 11
- Immediate Media Company Ltd., London.
- ^ Mangels, Andy (January 1993). "Hollywood Heroes". Wizard (17). Wizard Entertainment: 39.