The Death of the Incredible Hulk

Plot synopsis:
David Banner (Bill Bixby) masquerades as David Bellamy, a mentally challenged janitor, to gain access to a scientific research facility in Portland, Oregon. He believes that the studies of one of the scientists there, Dr. Ronald Pratt (Philip Sterling), may hold the key to curing his gamma-induced condition that, in times of stress, turns him into a superhuman green creature known as the Hulk. Pratt takes a liking to the man he sees only as a building custodian.
One night after making a transaction at the bank, David is trapped by street thieves and is beaten and robbed. The stress of his injuries induces another transformation. The Hulk makes short work of the criminals but attracts the attention of authorities before escaping.
The next day, bypassing security, Banner enters Pratt's laboratory and examines the formula on his blackboard, making corrections and filling in gaps. At the same time, a beautiful Russian spy named Jasmin (Elizabeth Gracen), thinking she has completed her last act of espionage, is approached again by former superior Kasha for one last job: infiltrate Pratt's lab and steal the files on his experiments. When she refuses, Kasha blackmails Jasmin with her sister Bella's life. Jasmin then disguises herself as a club hopper and gets a fingerprint from one of the security guards.
The following morning, Pratt examines the formula on his blackboard and discovers that it is now correct. Determined to find out who is guiding him, he hides out in the lab in wait for his would-be mentor. This time he catches David in the act and asks him to tell him something that would keep him from sounding the security alarm. Banner reveals his true identity and goes over the events that led to his self-experimentation that resulted in the Hulk. He notes that his condition also dives into Pratt's own research on a human's capacity to heal, for in Hulk-form David's accelerated metabolism allows any wound to close in seconds, leaving him with hardly a scar. Pratt believes he can cure David, but he needs to first study the creature. Over the course of a week, both scientists, with the help of Pratt's scientist wife, Amy (Barbara Tarbuck), construct a force field cage and sensors to track Banner's vitals. On the night of the observation, David is rigged with a tranquilizer to sedate him once the readings have been recorded. Banner shocks himself with an electrical rod and Hulks-out. The energy cage holds the creature back until Pratt has his readings and Amy activates the tranquilizer. Banner reverts to normal and Pratt and Amy photograph the closing puncture wound from the tranquilizer. Banner later watches the video of his transformation – claiming it is the first time he has seen the Hulk – and fails to see any humanity in him despite Amy's beliefs.
The next day, the facility's board announces to Pratt that they are pulling his funding for his lack of results, which forces him to move up his proposed cure for David. 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 Amy. Banner has fallen in love with Jasmin, who returns his affections, and with her help, he helps the Pratts. While pursuing the kidnappers, Banner and Jasmin learn that her sister, Bella (Anna Katarina), is the true leader of the spy network, and Banner turns into the Hulk, who tries to protect Pratt and Jasmin. The Hulk runs towards the plane, on which Bella and Zed are attempting to escape, and breaks it open. He climbs aboard before it can take off and enters. Bella tries to shoot the Hulk but he directs the firing below the plane, hitting the gas tank. This causes the plane to explode and the Hulk is thrown into the night, falling onto the concrete. After one last return transformation, Banner dies, telling Jasmin he is free. The film ends with Jasmin, Pratt and Amy mourning for Banner's death.

Tags: violence, romantic

Review:
The Incredible Hulk was my favorite series growing up and when they started doing these movies I was thrilled.
I've watched every Hulk film they did including this and I didn't like the way they ended it.
It's a very sad film to watch not just because it's the end of an era, but also because Bill Bixby is no longer with us.
I recently purchased all of the TV movies on DVD and they were suppose to do another Hulk film after this one, but after Bill's death this became impossible.
I can still remember watching this post-series HULK TV-movie the first time it was shown (February 18, 1990).
However, since many believed that this was the end of the TV saga for our green hero, they must have been surprised that his nemesis, newspaper reporter Jack McGee, was nowhere to be seen.
So when Bixby died, plans for another HULK TV-movie went with him.
:(Sadly, the Hulk's death also ended up meaning the death of David Banner, whose final words were: "I am free." To David Banner and the Hulk: may you both rest in peace..
For all the phony fx and Ferrigno's campy though lovable Hulkisms, this film is everything that Lee's pathetic re-hash wasn't!Bixby as David Banner had such pathos and dignity.
Being older than most reviewers here, I remember fondly the late Bill Bixby in "My Favorite Martian" (another TV series unwisely and embarrassingly updated for the big screen....think "The Flintstones," "Mission Impossible," "Wild Wild West," "I Spy," etc - all complete and utter dead losses) But as I was saying, Bixby was an utter gentleman, and in this film he gives us the tortured scientist who carries this unwanted creature of destruction within him.
The Hulk had been such a huge part of his life, those two words "I'm free" might be seen as pretty much his epitaph.If you laugh at this film, you should never have been watching it!.
When he finally develops one,a spy destroys the lab.Now Hulk will have to destroy the spy's evil boss,and rescue the doctor who can cure him.But will he die doing this task?
Its only flaw is the lack of Jack Colvin ("Mr. McGee") as the third major character in the Hulk series.About the story...
The Death of the Incredible Hulk (1990) was not only the last appearance of the Incredible Hulk, but the final role for David Bruce Banner.
The watch THE DEATH OF THE INCREDIBLE HULK.Bill Bixby directed this made-for-t.v.-movie.
Even though Mr. Bixby has passed on, he'll always be remembered for his role as David B_ _ _!Recommended for die-hard Incredible Hulk fans..
Being just 18 I wasn't even born when The Incredible Hulk was being aired first time round...and living in England we get to see things a lot later that America.The Incredible Hulk was one of the few 'adult' Tv shows that I would sit, watch and enjoy from around 4 years old.Despite his size and rather odd colouring I found him rather charming with a vulnerability that made him rather cute...Bill Bixby played Banner wonderfully...I had no idea he was dead until I read his bio...it's really quite sadI will always associate him with The Hulk...I don't have a favourite episode as they were all brilliant...I cried when he diedI am glad that they didn't bring him back from the dead...Some say that the death of the Hulk bought about the death of Bixby...but I believe that maybe it was meant to be...that way the actor and character who he made truly real both went together...both finding the freedom that they had both deserved..
It's a shame this was Bixby's final movie to "The Incredible Hulk" series.
THE DEATH OF THE INCREDIBLE HULK was the final instalment of the Bill Bixby-starring TV show and later movie series chronicling the adventures of the green giant.
As such it's a bittersweet viewing experience, especially when knowing that Bixby himself would die of prostate cancer only a couple of years after making this, what was to be his swansong in the role.The plot is a straightforward adventure that pits the Hulk and a newfound love interest for David Banner against a group of nefarious spies for whom industrial sabotage, kidnapping, and murder are the order of the day.
Of course, all this had to happen just when it seemed that Banner would finally rid himself of the Hulk curse, but then if everything had gone right it wouldn't have made for a very dramatic story.This TV movie lacks the presence of the other superhero characters from the last two movies (Thor in THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS and Daredevil in THE TRIAL OF THE INCREDIBLE HULK) but nevertheless proves to be a fun watch, thanks to plenty of Hulk-out action from the reliable Lou Ferrigno and a surprisingly decent turn from a thoughtful Bixby.
The final Hulk movie with Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno.
RELEASED TO TV IN 1990 and directed by Bill Bixby, "The Death of the Incredible Hulk" is the third of three movies in the wake of the TV series that ran from 1977-82.PLOT AND MAIN CAST: Masquerading as a mentally challenged custodian, David Banner (Bill Bixby) gains access to an Oregon research facility believing that the studies of one of the scientists there, Dr. Pratt (Philip Sterling), may hold the key to curing his gamma-induced curse.
Barbara Tarbuck is on hand as Pratt's wife while Andreas Katsulas plays a Russian heavy.This wasn't supposed to be the last Hulk movie with Bixby and Ferrigno.
Regrettably, these plans were scrapped supposedly due to Bixby's diminishing health and unfortunate death in 1993 from prostate cancer while others claim that it was due to the disappointing ratings for this movie.What I like about these Bixby/Ferrigno Hulk movies (and the series in general) is their serious, melancholic tone.
You won't find any eye-rolling campiness, like in the 60's Batman series; the inclusion of Thor in "The Incredible Hulk Returns" (1988) is the closest it comes to that (which, by the way, is the most entertaining of the Bixby/Ferrigno Hulk movies).
I like the way Bixby shot for moving artistry with the final sequence in this movie and was partially successful.THE FILM RUNS 95 minutes and was shot in the Vancouver, B.C., area.
With a title like "The Death Of The Incredible Hulk", you must believe that this is the end of David Banner's/Hulk's story, right?
No secret that Bill Bixby died three years later from cancer, a tragic loss of a fine actor who left such an indelible impression on fans for his brilliant performances as Doctor David Banner, on the run for 12 years, but now has a real cure in his sights.Unfortunately, international spies want the cure as well, and David must defeat them in order to finally bring his long journey to an end.I don't want to reveal the ending, only that it did choke me up, since the last line spoken is so moving, and so well directed by Bill Bixby, that it pains me to pan the film overall, since the plot is uninspired and confused.
Not to mention the absence of Jack Colvin as Mr. McGee was a real shame; fans deserved closure with this character, but didn't get it, nor was series creator Kenneth Johnson involved, and though this film is a big step-up from Thor & Daredevil misfires, there was still the undeniable soul of the series missing.But that end is powerful indeed...Goodbye David; not the way I wanted to see closure to your story, but it's the best we'll ever get.
Unfortunately, it's a disappointing finale to the story of David Banner for two reasons.
Lou Ferrigno and the late Bill Bixby both were exceptional in the final Hulk T.V. movie.
I was surprised to find out years later from Lou Ferrigno, that there was supposed to be a fourth Hulk T.V. movie called Revenge Of The Incredible Hulk.
I consider it sad,  the fact that Bill Bixby died three years later.
The story was very simple and the way it was presented was rather boring.Finally David Banner reveals himself towards Dr. Ronald Pratt.
I found it a very boring flick but who am i to say that because the production was ready to film 'the rebirth' and 'revenge' of the incredible hulk but Bill died before it could be made.
When Pratt discovers who Banner is, he tries to help him by bringing the cure closer  however an attack on the lab by a Russian espionage group ruin everything, freeing the Hulk and critically injuring Pratt.
With Banner and the Hulk as suspects in this crime, David is forced onto the run yet again.Having been quite unimpressed by a previous Hulk movie I was quite glad that this appeared to be going for a darker tone, but really it all still ends up with the Hulk running through walls while banner mopes around the place generally feeling pretty bad about his lot in life.
Fast forward twenty odd years and i get onto a website about the hulk and start to get interested.I first bought the pilot movie and this movie the death of the incredible hulk.I also have the ultimate collection.The story of David banner is so sad and when watching any episode you want to give him a hug and tell him everything will be alright(the part is played so very well by the lovely late bill bixby)sad to say in this the last installment as it turned out(due to bixby's untimely death)all does not end well and i cried my eyes out as he fell out of the plane crashed to the ground and finally says 'i am free'Before he dies.a lovely series and a wonderful film thanks for the memories.See this film do not miss it.though i too would liked to have seen jack mcgee in it..
Once again David Banner is on the brink of finding a cure but fate rears it's ugly head and thrash his chances of becoming normal again.A good conclusion to the Bixby/Ferrigno Hulk saga.
This is a well written and acted finale which brings the story to an end, and while it's sad it's not disappointing.
No such mistake made here as David's quest finally comes to an end.As always Bixby is magnificent and Ferrigno as well.
The Incredible Hulk not only gets to have an ending but fortunately it's a good one as well..
I was old enough to be a fan of the original television series of 'The Incredible Hulk', though it seems a distant memory.
stick mostly in my mind.This is the third and final TV movie following on from the TV series.
Gone are the usual opening titles and the first scenes see Bill Bixby's Dr David Banner (Bellamy) apparently a cleaner with a submissive perhaps with learning difficulties.
It is a simple good versus evil tale.The tone is quite different from most Hulk work and Bixby, looking tired plays it to perfection.
In fact, the scene where Banner see a video recording of The Hulk for the first time is moving.
During the film Banner comes close to getting the cure he so desires.The final scenes of the film are actually very moving.
(I have never seen the two new Hulk films, to me The Hulk is Bixby and Ferrigno and always will be).
Either way, it was moving yet sad as Banner never got a chance to live without this demon.One omission is that of Mr McGee. How poignant and touching would it have been to have him at The Hulk's death.
Perhaps seeing for the first time what this creature had made Banner into and how it affected his life perhaps would have been a good resolution.As a footnote, this wasn't meant to be the last film!
The storyline would have seen The Hulk revived with Dr David Banner's mind.
But due to Bixby's sad passing just three years later it never came to be.
When I saw the title of this movie, I thought that they would have found a way to rid David Banner of the Hulk once and for all, but I didn't figure on him dying himself at the end.
What was really sad was that Bill Bixby himself died shortly after he made this movie.
THIS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS :In February 1990, I was in my senior year of high school and was once again excited about a third Incredible Hulk reunion movie, but like Lou Ferrigno said in his book "My Incredible Life as the Hulk", I didn't like the title.
Like I said, this was Back to Basics.The late great Bill Bixby was my idol, hero, role model, whatever term you want to use and he truly gave us a wonderful but disappointing reunion movie.
Lou Ferrigno also gave an unforgettable performance as the Hulk, even though this would be the last time he would literally get greened up for the role physically.
As Lou Ferrigno said in his book, This movie was Bill Bixby's baby, more than any of the others.
That scene completely took me by surprise.Finally, I felt the same way many Hulkaholics like myself feel regarding the ending.
And now in this final movie, The Hulk dies, but that also means David Banner dies.
This movie is truly sad to watch now knowing that Bill Bixby would die three years later and that plans to do the Revenge of the Incredible Hulk would never be.
My idea would be for him to discover who John Doe is at the end and when Banner dies, Jack McGee finally loses his mind and probably winds up having to be placed in a mental institution after losing his story of the century forever.But still the Death of the Incredible Hulk is a good way of going out with a blaze of glory, even though I would have preferred David Banner getting cured and marrying Jasmine.
I was a little guy when I was younger and was picked on alot, so the Hulk episodes and later films let me fantasy at times I could change into a big creature and protect myself.Anyway I think this was a good final chapter to the Original Hulk and a new one will begin next Summer with the 2003 big budget outing.
We felt we were robbed of a proper ending when the series prematurely ended, now we have the proper ending and i don't have to tell you what this ending could be as you only have to read the title of it and it wont be the ending a lot of fans wanted.This is the best of the trilogy of Hulk movies since the series ended, a lot say why wasn't Jack McGee in this, the final Hulk movie?
It seems this wasn't meant to be the final Hulk movie.There was talk of yet another Marvel character appearing in this movie, none other that Iron Man but it never happened.
but the Iron Man story was rumored to still go ahead in a later Hulk movie.Whats really sad is with all the plans to keep this great Hulk movie series going ended with the very sad and untimely death of Bill Bixby.
I would love to have seen what wonderful ideas they had planned and would have loved to have known what Bill would have thought about the new Hulk and Marvel movies.
I am a Hulk fan and love the series and all the movies old and new and so glad that Lou was involved in the new ones too.I have to say that this movie has some great scenes, great action and a much darker feel to it with some great characters ad a new love interest for David (Jasmine).
I'm not going to give away much of what happens but it all eventually heads towards what the title says but as they had plans for more Hulk movies it just can't be the death of the Incredible Hulk....can it??...noooo you cannot kill him off he's my hero lol.
Death of the Incredible Hulk was the final Hulk movie.
Firstly, it was good because it had all the usual things one expects from a Hulk show-action, intrigue and plenty of destruction.It's also an extremely sad movie.
I had watched the Hulk series from beginning to end and to be honest it was a little bit too emotional watching the Hulk/Banner die.
The late Bill Bixby did a great job throughout the series conveying Banner's emotions to us.
I suppose death was a cure for Banner but it was still one of the saddest scenes ever in a movie.I only have one complaint with the film and I notice it is a complaint brought up by others who have reviewed this movie.
It was bad enough that Trial of the Incredible Hulk had omitted McGee but not having an integral character like McGee in the final film was quite bad.
The movie could have ended with McGee feeling remorse and apologizing to Banner before he passed away.That may sound over the top but any fan of the Hulk will probably tell you that this final movie should have included McGee.All in all, it wasn't a bad film.
And that morning someone told me at school that The Hulk had died at the movie's end.
You'd think after all these years David Banner would be cured of his green, smashing alter-ego.
And once again, this movie, like 1989's "Trial Of The Incredible Hulk", had no sign of nosy tabloid reporter Jack McGee (Jack Colvin) anywhere to be found.
Also, it was quite disturbing early on to see David Banner acting like "Rain Man" in this movie.
It was reported that Bill Bixby was going to a 4th Hulk movie titled "Revenge Of The Incredible Hulk".
But sadly, Bixby died before anything came to be for "Revenge Of The Hulk".