''The Trial of the Incredible Hulk'' is a 1989 American

television Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of television transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertising, ...

superhero film A superhero film (or superhero movie) is a film that focuses on the actions of superheroes. Superheroes are individuals who possess superhuman abilities and are dedicated to protecting the public. These films typically feature action, advent ...

based on the 1978–1982 television series ''

The Incredible Hulk The Hulk is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of '' The Incredible Hulk'' (May 1962). In his comic book a ...

'' featuring both the

Hulk The Hulk is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of ''The Incredible Hulk (comic book), The Incredible Hulk' ...

and fellow

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is an American comic book publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Comics'' in ...

character

Daredevil Daredevil may refer to: * A stunt performer Arts and media Comics * Daredevil (Lev Gleason Publications), a fictional 1940s superhero popularized by writer-artist Charles Biro * Daredevil (Marvel Comics character), a Marvel comic book superhero ...

, who team up to defeat

Wilson Fisk The Kingpin (Wilson Grant Fisk) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by Stan Lee and John Romita Sr., and first appeared in ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #50 (cover-dated July 196 ...

. As was the case with ''

The Incredible Hulk Returns ''The Incredible Hulk Returns'' is a 1988 American television superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character the Hulk which serves as a continuation of the 1978–1982 television series ''The Incredible Hulk''. In ''The Incredible Hulk Retur ...

'', this television movie also acted as a backdoor

television pilot A television pilot (also known as a pilot or a pilot episode and sometimes marketed as a tele-movie), in United States television, is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell a show to a television network or other dis ...

for a series, in this case, for Daredevil ( which was not produced). It was filmed in

Vancouver Vancouver ( ) is a major city in western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the city, up from 631,486 in 2016. ...

British Columbia British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, for ...

, Canada. ''The Trial of the Incredible Hulk'' was directed by and stars

Bill Bixby Wilfred Bailey Everett Bixby III (January 22, 1934 – November 21, 1993) professionally known as Bill Bixby, was an American actor, director, producer, and frequent game-show panellist. Bixby's career spanned more than three decades, includi ...

. Also starring are

Lou Ferrigno Louis Jude Ferrigno Sr. (; born November 9, 1951) is an American actor and retired professional bodybuilder. As a bodybuilder, Ferrigno won an IFBB Mr. America title and two consecutive IFBB Mr. Universe titles; and appeared in the documenta ...

, Rex Smith and

John Rhys-Davies John Rhys-Davies (born 5 May 1944) is a Welsh actor best known for portraying Sallah in the ''Indiana Jones'' franchise and Gimli in ''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy. His other roles include Michael Malone in the 1993 series ''The Untouch ...

. Despite the film's title, writer/executive producer

Gerald Di Pego Gerald Di Pego (born July 22, 1941) is an American screenwriter and producer. Feature film screenplays *'' W'' (also known as ''I Want Her Dead''), Cinerama, 1974 *''Sharky's Machine'', Orion, 1981 *''Phenomenon'', Buena Vista, 1996 *''Message ...

has stated that the idea of having the Hulk actually go on trial was never even discussed.

Plot

On the run again after the events of the previous TV movie, a disenchanted and overwhelmed David Banner is working up north under the name David Belson. A bully pushes him around and David is tempted to fight him, but, knowing he will just turn into the Hulk again, he walks away. Later, David makes his way toward a large city with the hopes of renting a room and staying incognito. Unbeknownst to him, the city he arrives in is under the control of a powerful underworld crime boss named

but is also protected by a mysterious black-clad crimefighter known as

. When two of Fisk's men come onto the commuter subway train after having committed a jewel robbery, one of them takes an interest in a woman also riding the train, but she rejects him. David witnesses the assault and transforms into the Hulk, which results in the usual disruption and chaos. A short while later, David is arrested by the police and wrongfully charged with the crime. While awaiting trial, blind

defense attorney A criminal defense lawyer is a lawyer (mostly barristers) specializing in the defense of individuals and companies charged with criminal activity. Some criminal defense lawyers are privately retained, while others are employed by the various ju ...

Matt Murdock Daredevil is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Daredevil was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Bill Everett, with an unspecified amount of input from Jack Kirby. The character first a ...

is assigned to David's case. David is uncooperative, but Murdock has faith that he is innocent and is determined to prove so. Meanwhile, Fisk has the victim from the subway, Ellie Mendez, abducted from

protective custody Protective custody (PC) is a type of imprisonment (or care) to protect a person from harm, either from outside sources or other prisoners. Many prison administrators believe the level of violence, or the underlying threat of violence within pris ...

. Fisk plans a major meeting of underworld crime bosses in order to propose the consolidation of their operations into a syndicate, with himself as chairman. One night while asleep in jail, David has a nightmare about his upcoming trial and dreams about transforming into the Hulk on the

witness stand A courtroom is the enclosed space in which courts of law are held in front of a judge. A number of courtrooms, which may also be known as "courts", may be housed in a courthouse. In recent years, courtrooms have been equipped with audiovisual ...

. The stress of this causes him to transform in reality, and the Hulk breaks out of prison. Subsequent events see David Banner team up with Daredevil who reveals his identity as Matt Murdock. Matt tells David about his origins which David initially has trouble accepting. Daredevil also 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 subsequently transforming into the Hulk who saves Matt in time from Fisk and his men, who flee the scene. Matt, barely conscious, 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's injuries and spreads a

cover story Cover story or Cover Story may refer to: * A magazine or newspaper article whose subject appears on that issue's front cover, and may be profiled in depth. * A fictitious explanation intended to hide one's real motive; see disinformation, cover-u ...

about Matt's 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. After a little coaxing from David, Matt begins to recover and retrain his body. Soon enough, the two return to work and go to save Ellie Mendez with assistance from Fisks sympathetic right hand Edgar. The two engage Wilson Fisk and his men and ultimately succeed in besting him, without the Hulk appearing. Fisk and Edgar escape, and Ellie Mendez is freed. David and Matt part ways as friends. David continues his search of a cure for himself, and Matt remains in the city to protect it.

Cast

as Dr. David Banner *

* Rex Smith as Matt Murdock/Daredevil *

Marta DuBois Marta may refer to: People * Marta (given name), a feminine given name * Märta, a feminine given name * Marta (surname) : István Márta composer * Marta (footballer) (born 1986), Brazilian professional footballer Places * Marta (river) ...

as Ellie Mendez *

Nancy Everhard Nancy Everhard (born November 30, 1957) is an American former actress. She became known for her roles in the films ''DeepStar Six'' (1989) and '' The Punisher'' (1989). She also appeared in television series such as '' Reasonable Doubts'' (1991� ...

as Christa Klein *

Richard Cummings Jr. Richard Cummings Jr. is an American actor and film director most recognized for his acting roles in the dramas '' thirtysomething'' and ''Northern Exposure''. He is currently working as a film and television director. Recent projects include ...

as Al Pettiman *Nicholas Hormann as Edgar *

Joseph Mascolo Joseph Peter Mascolo (March 13, 1929 – December 8, 2016) was an American musician and dramatic actor. During his long career, he acted in numerous motion pictures and television series. He played villain Stefano DiMera on NBC's soap opera ''Da ...

as Dep. Chief Albert G. Tendelli *Linda Darlow as Fake Nurse *

John Novak John Novak is a Canadian voice, film and television actor who frequently does work for the Ocean Productions based in Vancouver, Canada. Biography He was born in Venezuela to Canadian parents who were visiting the country. He has also starred ...

as Denny *Dwight Koss as John *Meredith Bain Woodward as Farm Supervisor *

Mark Acheson Mark Acheson (born September 19, 1957) is a Canadian voice, film and television actor. Career Acheson began studying acting at Langara College’s Studio 58 at the age of 15. He is a founding member of Janus Theatre and appeared on stage for eigh ...

Turk Barrett Turk Barrett is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is usually depicted in stories featuring Daredevil, in which his inept schemes are played as comic relief. Barrett was a recurring c ...

Production

Filming took place in

, Canada for a month beginning on February 15, 1989.

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 Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber ; December 28, 1922 – November 12, 2018) was an American comic book writer, editor, publisher, and producer. He rose through the ranks of a family-run business called Timely Publications which ...

, 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 Jack Kirby (born Jacob Kurtzberg; August 28, 1917 – February 6, 1994) was an American comic book artist, writer and editor, widely regarded as one of the medium's major innovators and one of its most prolific and influential creators. He gre ...

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. 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 A dream sequence is a technique used in storytelling, particularly in television and film, to set apart a brief interlude from the main story. The interlude may consist of a flashback, a flashforward, a fantasy, a vision, a dream, or some other ...

). In a retrospective review for the Radio Times Guide to Films, film critic Narinder Flora awarded the film two stars out of five, calling it "tame action fare" with "all the hallmarks of an idea that has run out of steam".

Home media

This television film was released on VHS by Starmaker Videos in December 1992. It was re-released by

Image Entertainment RLJ Entertainment (formerly Image Entertainment) is an American film production company and home video distributor, distributing film and television productions in North America, with approximately 3,200 exclusive DVD titles and approximately 34 ...

on October 11, 2011.

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Trial of the Incredible Hulk Television pilots not picked up as a series Hulk (comics) films Television series reunion films Films based on television series American sequel films NBC network original films 1980s superhero films 1989 television films 1989 films Television films as pilots The Incredible Hulk (1978 TV series) Films directed by Bill Bixby Daredevil (Marvel Comics) films American crime drama films 1980s American films Live-action films based on Marvel Comics