Buy this DVD at Amazon.com (Third Season)
Buy this DVD at Amazon.com (Fourth Season)
Rating: Unrated
Starring:
Lou Ferrigno as The Incredible Hulk
Bill Bixby as Dr. David Bruce Banner
Jack Colvin as Jack McGee
Special Features:
Third Season:
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at “The Incredible Hulk” featuring an interview with Edward Norton
Remembering “The Incredible Hulk”: An American Classic
Fourth Season:
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at “The Incredible Hulk” featuring an interview with Edward Norton
Creating an Iconic Character: The Hulk
Audio Commentary on Episode “Prometheus”
Inside an Episode: “Prometheus” Photo Gallery
Other Info:
Fullscreen
Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono Sound
French and Spanish Language
French and Spanish Subtitles
Running Time (Third Season): 18 Hours 31 Minutes
Running Time (Fourth Season): 14 Hours 27 Minutes
Synopsis:
The following is from the DVD description for the Third Season:
“Primetime Emmy® Award Nominee Bill Bixby and the iconic Lou Ferrigno return as The Incredible Hulk in Season Three of the action-packed unforgettable series! Rejoin heroic scientist David Banner (Bixby) as he continues his quest to find a cure that will stop his transformations into the enraged Hulk (Ferrigno). This 5-disc set includes all 23 exciting episodes and all-new bonus content featuring show creator Kenneth Johnson. Joining The Hulk on his mysterious journeys are impressive guest stars including Fred Ward (Tremors) and Robert Davi (Profiler). Don’t make him angry take home Season Three today!”
The following is from the DVD description for the Fourth Season:
“Thundering onto DVD for the first time ever is the complete Fourth Season of ‘The Incredible Hulk’! Primetime Emmy® Award Nominee Bill Bixby returns as the mild-mannered scientist David Banner who uncontrollably morphs into the enraged Hulk (Lou Ferrigno). While searching for a cure he encounters a variety of characters played by impressive guest stars such as Dick Durock (Swamp Thing) Dick O’Neill (Cagney and Lacey) and Lou Ferrigno in a different role! This 4-disc set includes all 18 action-packed episodes and all-new exclusive bonus content featuring show creator Kenneth Johnson. Even though Banner proclaims “You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry” take home Season Four of ‘The Incredible Hulk’ today and you won’t be sorry!”
“The Incredible Hulk” is not rated.
The Series:
With the new “Hulk” movie on the way, Universal releases the third and fourth seasons of the classic TV show on DVD. When it arrived, my sons were simultaneously terrified and interested in the lenticular image of the Hulk on the cover. Thinking the show would be too boring for them, I put in the recent Ang Lee “Hulk” movie in the DVD player and fast forwarded to the big battle scene with the tanks. They watched it intently, but when it was over they said, “We want to see little Hulk now.” So I popped in the “Prometheus” episode from the fourth season. As soon as Lou Ferrigno appeared on the screen, they quickly hopped in my lap, hid their faces, and intently watched the hour long episode. I was frankly amazed that the 27-year-old show could still entertain kids today. I’m also dreading the therapy bills I’ll be paying for the boys.
These two seasons have a couple of notable episodes. In “The Psychic,” Bill Bixby’s real world ex-wife Brenda Benet guest stars. He wanted them to do an episode together so he could show their son that the divorcing couple could still get along. In the story, she attempts to commit suicide after failing to save a boy from a traffic accident. In a horrific real world twist, Benet killed herself after her and Bixby’s son died of an illness. So as you can imagine, it’s a hard episode to watch.
In a more lighthearted episode, Lou Ferrigno appeared without makeup and in a speaking role in “King of the Beach.” In it he plays a bodybuilder (surprise!) who meets Banner and the Hulk. “The First” also happens to feature a second Hulk which, to this day, still freaks me out. He was played by prolific stuntman Dick Durock.
As I watch the old series again, the music stands out to me more than ever before. From the haunting theme music to the orchestral score, it becomes really apparent how they don’t make TV music like they used to. I think the “Hulk” theme will really be a welcome addition to the new movie.
The two sets have some good bonus features. Most entertaining are a couple of retrospectives with the producers and writers. Their recollections are quite candid and they tell a number or personal stories about Bill Bixby, Lou Ferrigno, and more. Also included is a behind the scenes look at the new “Hulk” movie with Edward Norton (it’s the same featurette on both DVD sets). You’ll also find free tickets to the movie in the sets not a bad deal!
If you’re a Hulk fan, this is a required set for your DVD collection.
