The Death of the Incredible Hulk
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Death of the Incredible Hulk was the last of three revival TV movies from the 1977-1982 television show The Incredible Hulk. As the other two featured adaptations of Marvel Comics heroes Thor and Daredevil respectively, this was initially planned to include She-Hulk, but the character was dropped from the project before filming. Prior to Bixby's death in 1993 their was talk of another Incredible Hulk television movie featuring Iron Man.
Bill Bixby reprised his role as Dr. David Bruce Banner and Lou Ferrigno returned to play the Hulk.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
David Banner masquerades as David Bellamy, a mentally-challenged janitor in order to gain access to a scientific research facility. He has determined that the studies of one of the scientists there, Dr. Ronald Pratt (Philip Sterling), may hold the key to curing his condition. Pratt takes a liking to the man he sees only as a building custodian.
Cleverly bypassing security, Banner enters Pratt's laboratory, examines the formulae on his blackboard, making corrections and filling in gaps. Pratt finds the changes the next morning, and realizes to his amazement that they are correct. After this has happened a few times, Pratt one night hides in his lab and lays in wait for whomever his unknown colleague may be.
As Banner fills in the formulas on the board, Pratt turns on the lights and steps out from the shadows. Speechless, Banner stands frozen at the chalkboard. The elderly scientist moves towards the alarm button, asking Banner to tell him something to keep him from pushing it.
"Banner!" David blurts out. "My name is..."
Pratt repeats Banner's last name in surprise. He is very aware of Banner's reputation and his work, having read his papers regularly. Like many of his peers, he believed Banner too perished in the 1977 lab fire that killed Elaina Marks and prompted tabloid reporter Jack McGee (not mentioned here) to lodge the murder accusations against the Hulk. Banner tells Pratt of the overdose that has led to his metamorphases and his wandering in hopes of finding a cure to reverse it. Both scientists agree to work together to cure Banner and perfect the formula harnessing gamma radiation believed to provide ordinary humans to possess superhuman strength when under periods of stress.
The two men become friends and Banner is accepted as part of Pratt's family. One day, the pair decide to experiment with Banner's metamorphasis, which leads to another experiment that could cure Banner or kill him. However, an Eastern European spy network dedicated to using Pratt's (and Banner's) work for corrupt purposes breaks into the lab, halting the experiment and kidnapping Pratt and his fellow scientist wife Amy (Barbara Tarbuck).
Banner falls in love with Jasmin (pronounced Yas-meen; portrayed by Elizabeth Gracen), a reluctant spy in the network who returns his affections, and with her help, rescues the Pratts. While pursuing the kidnappers, Banner once again turns into the Hulk, and manages to climb aboard their small plane as it's leaving.
The Hulk manages to overpower those on board, but then the plane explodes in mid-air, with the Hulk taking a fall to the pavement with an impact so terrific that it splinters the asphalt beneath him. Jasmin rushes to his side and holds his hand. The creature, calmed by Jasmin's soothing words and actions, slowly morphs back into Banner. The Pratts also rush to his side.
"David, no...don't die." Jasmin says with tears in her eyes. "We can be free now."
"Jasmin...I am free," Banner says with his last breath. Jasmin and the Pratts weep around him as he expires.
[edit] More films being planned
Despite the apparent death of the Hulk in the 1990 film, more Incredible Hulk television movies were planned to help launch a pilot for Iron Man. There was also talk about doing a television movie with the cast from the 1977-1979 live action Spider-Man television series in the mid-1980s. However, all such projects were cancelled when Bill Bixby died of cancer in November 1993.
