The Incredible Hulk (1977)

What a lonely man. Lonely, all so lonely. Trying so hard to find a reason as to why he was unable to save his beloved wife in a tragic accident, becoming obsessed in finding the answer and his research until hitting a roadblock and tapping into something that would forever alter his path going forward.

When talking about superheros I for one always held a great admiration for the Hulk. Different from others perhaps though, the major reason I love him isn't because of any impressive action scenes or a creature with enormous strength but stems directly from Bruce Banner himself and the inner conflict that comes to life within him through the very existence that is the Hulk. This duality of this alter ego that every time once strong emotions such as anger or frustration overtake him breaks through.

There's a man constantly struggling with himself and thereby succumbing to his inner self and the part of him he cannot control. May best described as a character study, one that is tragic as much as it is fascinating, almost believable as something that could exist in our world in the way how genuine his emotions are being conveyed. Benefitted by how this version of his takes a more grounded approach that pairs up well with the direction of an live action TV show and exemplifying the strength in closer surroundings.

This kind of portrayal of Bruce Banner, or David Banner as he is called here with Bruce still serving as his middle name although never spoken out loud, is what engraved itself into my heart as what I love so much about this character. It's not an inspiring tale of someone becoming a superhero to save lives, as it is much more a story of a broken man who lost everything dear to him and every so often is at the point of losing even himself. Within this though there remains hope, and an endless journey as to find a cure to his condition. Whether there may be one to be found or not, he can only go on in hope there will be one.

A kind man with a pure heart who becomes this raging spirit. Torn between these two sides and trying not to hurt anybody, running away in the proccess.

This creature, the Hulk, as fearsome and strong as it appears seemingly only filled with rage, isn't as one sided as one would think either in that it retains Banner's personality traits and wouldn't hurt innocent people as David Bruce Banner wouldn't hurt an innocent person either. In the process of coming to help countless people even with how misunderstood they ever so often are taken. 

Within this kick off to the TV show there furthermore can be found clear parallels to Frankenstein (1931), which fits beautifully within this ever so often misunderstood character and film, only broken through by the people who can see through this shade. Perhaps this Hulk is as much of a misunderstood creature as it is powerful and strong. Fragile from within and trying to make sense of this very world of ours.

Elaina as Banner's close friend and colleague being the first one to come to understand him and showing support until the inevitable tragic end. Proving David he's not alone, yet leaving him all the more with a crushed soul. For him only having left the path of going on.

It's easy to tell how much love Bill Bixby had for this character and this passion can be felt throughout the entire show. The emotions he carries and the way he portrays the character, it all feels so immensely sincere and all the more human. 

Therein this is one of my favorite depictions of this character and one I feel like stands extremely strong for itself as the man starts to become absorbed by his research and falls into this black hole that is the Incredible Hulk, kicking off the start of his long journey to find a cure for himself.

Thus, there he goes, believed to be dead, confined in this cage of his tragedy pursuit by an obsessed reporter. Never to be the same again. This sad, all so lonely man.

Ghonf