The Twilight Zone (TV Series) The Passersby (1961) User Reviews

A road that stretches forever

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 12 May 2014]

The Civil War in its final days is the setting for this most provocative of Twilight Zone episodes. There seems to be an interminable length to a road that goes by Joanne Linville's half destroyed plantation manor house with both Union and Confederate soldiers walking or on horseback just heading in one direction. There's no animosity between them, just gratitude that this fratricidal war is over.

That's something Linville can't understand as she's in mourning for a husband reported killed. A Confederate sergeant played by James Gregory stops to linger a while and the two bond though Gregory's quiet resignation is leaving her puzzled.

I can't say any more, but this is one of the best Twilight Zone stories out there about the utter futility of war and how it all ends the same for everybody. The last man on the road tells her this is so.

Don't miss this Twilight Zone story when broadcast.

'The last shot of the Civil War'.

[darrenpearce111 · 8/10 · 27 December 2013]

Lavinia (Joanne Linville), a Confederate soldier's widow reflects on the suffering at the end of the Civil War. She is steeped in bitterness while watching soldiers pass by on the road.

Rod Serling deals with the subject of war and moving on afterwords. This story is about the need to philosophically appreciate an individual's role in life and not to expect to be untouched by a changing world. Thoughts of personal revenge and feeling the general devastation of the south tend to poison Lavinia's mind. The story unfolds rapidly when, just after Serling's prologue, Lavinia meets a man she knew who had seemingly died in the war, now appearing to be treading the road home to his wife. A fairly similar moment of poignant 'seeing's believing' as when Maggie in 'The Four Of Us Are Dying' seems to meet her deceased love.

Joanne Linville is just right as Lavinia, having often played determined and emotional women with unusual motives in shows like 'Hawaii Five-0', 'The Fugitive','One Step Beyond' and 'Columbo'.

One of Serling's many reflections on war in TZ. A WWII hero, he never glorified anything about it, but wrote very poignantly here, and in 'The Purple Testament', 'The Changing of the Guard' and others.

The Long Road

[AaronCapenBanner · 7/10 · 27 October 2014]

James Gregory stars as a Confederate Sergeant who finds himself walking along a road with many other soldiers. He stops by the home of a Southern Widow(played by Joana Linville) and they start to talk about many things like the war and its outcome, as many passersby travel the road in front of her home. She is bitter about losing her husband, and wants to kill the Yankees, but the war is lost for them, and it becomes obvious that they will have to leave her home, and travel down that long road themselves... Good performances help stagy episode that still manages to work, creating an effective melancholy atmosphere, and the last victim of the war makes a most poignant appearance...

One of the all-time best.

[robert-259-28954 · 10/10 · 12 January 2013]

There are so many accolades about Rod Serling's long-running "Twilight Zone" series that adding yet another glowing review seems redundant. But as a long time TZ aficionado (for over 50-years), this episode ranks among his best... the perfect casting, the script, the incredibly attention to detail—it's all here. Mr. Serling was a WWII vet, and so a strong edge of anti-war sentiment infuses many of his best stories, this one perhaps better than most. As one reviewer has already said, this tale scrupulously avoids the preachy or more maudlin aspects of typical anti-war stories, truly bringing together both warring factions in this post Civil War tale. It brings into sharp focus both the full tragedy and futility of war, where both the winners and the losers, the victors and the vanquished, suffer equally. After watching the superb Daniel Day Lewis in "Lincoln" recently, I couldn't help but compare his star turn to the short scene featuring an equally amazing Austin Green as Lincoln in the gracefully aging TZ version. Not only was he a dead ringer for the president, but even had his his high, thin voice down pat, perhaps one of the best characterizations of our 16th president in film memory.

Atmospheric

[dougdoepke · 6 July 2006]

Grim procession of Civil War wounded drifts eerily down a dusty road in front of a war-torn southern mansion where a young woman sits waiting, but waiting for what.

Slow moving, elegiac episode that manages some impact despite the fact that nothing much happens. Whatever awards the entry deserves should go to the art department and set designer for their truly spooky fog-shrouded road. In fact, the combined effect almost reaches the level of the inspired. The devastated mansion where the woman sits is also persuasive with its debris-strewn porch. Whatever the half-hour lacks in drama, it more than makes for in atmosphere. There is a pay-off, although an astute observer may well guess it early on. James Gregory shines as the limping soldier, showing once again what an all around fine performer he was. All in all, a rather strange episode that may stay with you even if it lacks the wallop of the best half-hours.

The Long & Winding Road

[telegonus · 10/10 · 27 June 2017]

The Passersby is one of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes, and I'm not sure why. Maybe it's the otherworldly setting: the end of the Civil War South, with its ruined mansion, soldiers walking, limping or riding horses on a foggy country road seemingly leading nowhere. It plays like a dream, and a case can be made that that's the point.

This is a somber episode, and the dialogue is more poetic and wistful than in most Zones; and it features little real drama as such, and no Big Reveal. It's more like Little Reveals. The interaction between a wounded Confederate soldier and the lady of the house is casual, feels strangely realistic.

Joanne Linville and James Gregory both give excellent performances in the leading roles, the supporting players are without exception good, and they were all well cast. Nothing is rushed. The pace is slow, measured and just right. This a Twilight Zone that is set entirely within the Zone itself.

"I'll wait for you at the end of the road".

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 12 May 2010]

Not one of your classically recalled episodes of The Twilight Zone, I'm hard pressed to remember if I've even seen this one before. The odd thing about it is that even though not a lot occurred during the story, it seemed to be over in a flash. The twists, as it were, occurred over the entire story, as the streaming procession of Civil War wounded included the living and the dead. Lavinia Godwin (Joanne Linville) came to that realization after seeing a soldier she knew that was presumed dead, soon to be followed by her husband who of a certainty was killed during hostilities. The appearance of Abraham Lincoln (Austin Green) on the death trail would have been incongruous under any circumstances, even if he had avoided assassination. Linville's characterization is effective, though it seems James Gregory holds the piece together with his insight into moving on to join the living to build a new life on the other side of the war. An introspective piece that's not so much a grabber, but keeps you positioned in your seat more than a few moments after it's over.

A Gem

[dane-92 · 10/10 · 27 March 2018]

I remember the spooky feeling of watching The Twilight Zone one night as a little boy in one-piece pajamas with feet, and I have seen episodes of it off and on for years, most of them many times. But somehow, I never saw this one until tonight. At 62, it was a shock to discover a "new" episode, and a real thrill to see this gem for the very first time. It's a simple, beautiful story that unfolds slowly and patiently. I won't say anything about the story, just encourage you to see it.

A good example of the Twilight Zone

[susanj50 · 7/10 · 17 January 2007]

This is a good example of the Twilight Zone. It has a little kicker, like most episodes, but the viewer realizes what is going on before the characters do.

The show itself has the feel of a stage play, and does not seem to be television. This of course is to be expected because the technology which was employed in 1961 was not at current levels.

The show begins at a southern plantation mansion where defeated Confederate soldiers are marching by at the end of the war. One stops and asks for water, which the matron of the house gladly gives to me. They talk and their lives and situation are revealed. All the time wounded from the war parade in front of the mansion. The last wounded to walk by is Abraham Lincoln. This should tell you what the kicker is.

Throughout the play the message of forgiveness and reconciliation are presented, and we are told to get over the Civil War. The portrayal of Abraham Lincoln is especially compelling.

Although not the best episode of the Twilight Zone, it is worth watching.

One of TZ's Top 10 Best, IMHO.

[lrrap · 9/10 · 31 August 2019]

"The Passersby" is a real stand-out episode, imaginative, atmospheric, and very well-produced. The set itself is extremely impressive in its scope, depth and detail, as is the plot device of the continuous procession of weary, bedraggled soldiers, especially as night falls.

Our pal, author Mark Zicree of "The TZ Companion", is very negative about this episode; believe me, his opinions are just that, and he totally misses the beauty and eloquence of this show. True, the pace is weary and measured, but that's exactly what the plot demands. He says that James Gregory is "too old" to play a Confederate Sergeant----has he ever seen actual photos from the Civil War??? Men of ALL ages fought---and they aged tremendously from the torturous rigors of war. Johanna Linville is wonderful--always on the edge of tears, heartsick, lost in her dreams of the past. Sure, WE might know what's happening fairly early on in the show---but SHE DOESN"T---she's too "disconnected" from reality to grasp it. GET IT, Mr. Z??

Fred Steiner's noble and elegaic score is magnificent; clearly he was inspired by what he saw on the screen to produce music of unusually lofty quality for TV. There's also a real shocker of a scene involving a Union Lieutenant---even though James Gregory's near- meltdown and his explanatory dialogue during that scene are pretty contrived and over-the-top. But the big "reveal" of this scene was mighty strong stuff for prime time TV in 1961.

And the final twist ending---- my goodness----how appropriate, touching, and understated. You really get a sense of the calm, compassion, wisdom and dignity of the man. The perfect resolution to this moving and otherworldly drama.

I only wish that director Silverstein had built up to the final encounter a little more gradually...maybe a shot of the feet/shoes of the tall guy slowly walking over the road, or a veiled shot from behind as the figure moves through the morning mist---anything to lend more mystery and anticipation. As it is, he's just THERE--big as life.

Ah, well...a minor quibble. The Passersby, despite its flaws, definitely goes on my list of top 10 favorite TZ episodes. LR

The Last Man on the Dirty Road

[claudio_carvalho · 6/10 · 1 May 2009]

In April 1865, in the end of the North American Civil War, a Confederate Sergeant (James Gregory) stops his march with other wounded Union and Confederate soldiers and asks for water to the lonely and ill widow Lavinia Godwin (Joanne Linville) in her destroyed mansion. Then he asks to rest for while and they talk about the damages of war. Later Lavinia sees a soldier that was reported dead with a bullet on the head; then the sergeant sees a lieutenant and he recalls his fate. When Lavinia sees her husband and Abraham Lincoln on the road, she discovers what has happened to her.

I do not recall if I had figured out the "secret" of this episode the first time that I saw it. However today I could easily foresee what had happened with the widow and the wounded soldiers. This antiwar episode is one of the most dramatic episodes of "Twilight Zone" and never creepy, but too related to the American history. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Os Transeuntes" ("The Passersby")

Note: On 12 July 2023, I saw this episode again.

Well Written Episode

[DKosty123 · 8/10 · 28 June 2017]

Serlings script here creates a realistic atmosphere of how things were as this war ended.

James Gregory stars in this one. Gregory is a pretty good actor. He was the foil Inspector Luger on TV's Barney Miller. He was a bad guy in John Waynes film "The Sons of Katie Elder." Both of those were later than this episode. Gregory is very good at fitting into a role and this one is no exception.

There is another episode about the Civil War I would highly recommend in the Zone series but that one is unique in that it was not written by Serling. Still, if I were to put 2 zone episodes about the Civil War together for an event, this one and the other would go great together.

That episode is actually produced in Europe and was purchased by the series to run here. It is titled "An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge." That one is more one event, where this one is several passers by. They are both quality, in the Twilight Zone.

This too shall pass....in a quick 25 minutes.

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 27 August 2019]

It's on a dirty, dusty road that plantation owner Joanne Linville watches the constant parade of Civil War soldiers (from both the north and the south) heading past, all walking in the same direction. She's obviously worn out from watching this constant parade, nearing a breakdown and grateful for the strains of a guitar that a passing soldier (James Gregory) plays to comfort her. As she comes to terms with her loneliness, it dawns on her what is really going on, and she's desperate to stop this parade from continuing, until a familiar face stops by to offer her sympathy and reveal what course her own path is taking. It is touching, a bit slow, but eloquent and poetic, something that many "Twilight Zone" episodes did in a non-pretentious way that caused its viewers to think about the themes offered in a real short period of time. Linville gets to display all sorts of emotions, and it is obvious that the passing shells of human beings reflect what she has become simply by watching the war pass her by and tired of all the death and destruction. For the turbulent early 1960's, this had a subtle message to display, and the point is quickly made in a way that resonates nearly 50 years later.

Walk on, without hope in your heart. You'll Always walk alone...

[Coventry · 5/10 · 6 July 2020]

The 5/10 rating may seem a little harsh, but this episode has the misfortune of being the follow-up of "The Shelter", which easily must be one of the greatest episodes of the entire five-seasons series; - possibly top 5 or top 3. Any episode coming after that brilliantly bleak allegory on human egoism is bound to look unimpressive, but admittedly "The Passersby" has quite a few flaws of its own. The episode is exaggeratedly dull and talkative, particularly considering the short running time, and the denouement is far too predictable straight from the beginning. So predictable, even, that the French version of the tale simply gives away the plot's clue in the title. Near the end of the Civil War, a young widow sits on her porch and stares at the soldiers using the road passing by her house to return back to their homes. She's joined by a crippled sergeant of the Confederate side, and he quickly notices there's something disturbingly unusual about the men walking on this road, ... and the people observing them. Surefooted direction from Elliot Silverstein ("The Car") and adequate performances from both James Gregory and Joanne Linville cannot save this tale from dullness. Heck, even the ingenious "cameo-appearance" at the end isn't good enough.

Going down that long winding dusty road

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 12 March 2018]

April, 1865. A wounded Confederate sergeant (superbly played by James Gregory) who's walking down a desolate dirt road along with a bunch of other maimed soldiers from both sides stops for some water at a crumbling mansion owned by the lonely and anguished Lavinia Godwin (a sound and touching performance by Joanne Linville).

Director Elliot Silverstein offers a flavorsome evocation of the 19th century period setting along with a strong brooding gloomy and melancholy mood. Rod Serling's thoughtful script makes a potent statement about the futility and wastefulness of war. Gregory and Linville do excellent work in the lead roles, Rex Holman has a memorable bit as a shell-shocked soldier, and Austin Green contributes a stand-out turn at the very end as Abraham Lincoln. Kudos are also in order for Fred Steiner's forlorn score and the typically sharp cinematography by George T. Clemens. A powerful show.

a Classic !

[tomronning50 · 10/10 · 18 December 2018]

In my opinion, this is the best episode of all . . . stunning at times . . .

Heading Down That Long Lonesome Road

[Hitchcoc · 7/10 · 21 November 2008]

This is a more introspective and talky episode. It is also quite obvious from the start. When we see all those Union and Confederate soldiers walking down the same road, it doesn't take a genius to figure out what is taking place. There is the sort of Southern banter between the widow in the old mansion and James Gregory, the "minstrel." But the coldness of the setting and the talk indicates to us that there isn't much hope. I guess this is one of Serling's messages of the evils of war and that there are few winners. This was especially true of this war. I think the weakness here is that it drones on and on. When a certain figure shows up at the end, it is just a bit much for me.

Star Trek connections

[Woody739 · 8/10 · 5 May 2008]

It is also interesting that author planktonrules tries to compare Twilight Zone to Star Trek. OK, not the shows really, but the fans. While I'm sure that there are plenty of Twilight Zone fans, it comes no where near the number of Star Trek fans.

It is also interesting to note how he uses Star Trek in his comparison, as three of the main actors in this fine episode, went on to perform in Star Trek episodes and a Star Trek movie.

James Gregory appeared in Star Trek's "Dagger of the Mind", while Rex Holman (Charlie near the beginning) appeared in "Spectre of the Gun" as Morgan Earp and in "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier". And Joanne Linville played the famous female Romulan Commander who tries unsuccessfully to seduce Spock, in the episode "The Enterprise Incident".

The road less traveled

[Calicodreamin · 7/10 · 9 June 2021]

Decent storyline and a somewhat unexpected ending. Though the cameo at the end was a bit too goofy and didn't fit the tone of the episode. Good acting and cinematography.

It's well acted

[ericstevenson · 9/10 · 2 August 2018]

This episode tells the story of a soldier just coming back from the Civil War meeting up with a woman in her house. She still holds resentment for the South losing. We see her husband appear later. This is actually a really nice and spooky reveal. It looks like she shot him, but nothing happened. I can't tell if his wound was from the shot he was supposed to have or something he got from the war.

Either way, it's a well told episode. The best part is probably at the end when none other than Abraham Lincoln appears! He mentions how he was the last casualty of the war. It really does put his administration into perspective. I think this is the first episode they did about the Civil War. It's paced wonderfully, too. ***1/2

You Got to Walk That Lonesome Valley

[Samuel-Shovel · 6/10 · 17 January 2020]

In "The Passerby" a returning Civil War vet stops his journey and visits with a Southern widower now destitute after the death of her solider husband.

I thought the first 5/6ths of this episode was absolutely stellar. I noticed the rating was a bit lower than I anticipated. This befuddled me... Until the slide-whistle of an ending shows up. Did the ghost of Abe Lincoln REALLY need to show up? It was an absolutely ridiculous development that had no business in this somber story. It detracts from the seriousness of the message and turns the ep into a comedy sketch. I still enjoyed the acting and set design, but the cameo just completely takes me out of the episode's reality enough to lower this one down a few pegs.

I'LL MEET YOU AT THE END OF THE ROAD.....

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 27 April 2023]

A Knockout of a story.

If you're an acting student, best to watch this episode as its simply fascinating and inspiring. Joanne Linville and James Gregory, two veterans of their trade, play their roles to perfection at the close of the Civil War. This has long been hailed as one of the most thought provoking episodes of the entire series, the one we all grew up on.

Linville plays a bitter, yet beautiful woman, gently rocking on the front steps of her smoldering home, waiting and waiting for her husband to return from war. Limping soldier Gregory enters the scene and strikes up a poignant friendship of sorts with her. Leave it to Rod Serling's genius to let your mind fill in the rest, along a road you cannot find on any map, philosophically put.

Character actor Austin Green portraying President Lincoln is a standout. Green, also a director and writer, played Lincoln four times in tv productions and, perhaps, one of, if not the BEST actor to play the president.

This will stay with you for awhile, whether you are a war veteran or know someone who is. Powerful. SEASON 3 remastered CBS dvd box set.

yeah,,,,whatever

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 29 January 2008]

Like all cult TV shows, there is a group of people who love The Twilight Zone so much that they rate practically every episode like they are the greatest shows EVER. While several of them are indeed wonderful classics, the truth is for every great episode, there were several that were mediocre and at least one that stank. However, like die-hard Trekkies, these Zone lovers insist that all of them are gold. In fact, this is what initially got me to review some individual episodes of a couple cult series instead of the movies I usually watch.

While this isn't the worst episode ever made nor is it among the very worst, it is poor by any reasonable standard. A widow watches a long procession of Civil War soldiers going past her home. In the end, a very unexpected twist is revealed and there isn't a whole lot of excitement or suspense here.

Can you believe

[brandoncallen-58930 · 8/10 · 21 July 2021]

A different kind of review. Can you believe that the actress playing the soldiers wife Joanne Linvill just passed away only 4 weeks ago I an writing this July 20th of 2021 she passed away June 20th of 2021 at 93 crazy huh.

Different sides, one road

[kellielulu · 8/10 · 27 November 2022]

I probably can't describe this better than others already have. There is a beauty to many of the reviews here I can't match. I do agree there is an atmospheric feel and tone to this episode that gives the impression of the weariness they is felt by everyone going along this same road. We feel it the most with our two main characters. A plantation mistress as she sits on the porch of her now in ruins home. She is oddly removed from it or perhaps it simply doesn't compare to her other loss . The confederate soldier who stops for water has a similar weariness. As do the soldiers traveling the same road . Soldiers from both sides must make the same journey that tells us a good deal but it reveals itself slowly. The pace is slow but that works for the episode not against it. The casting of the main characters is to perfection including the casting of Abraham Lincoln who matches the photographs, the voice we are told he had, the gentleness and philosophical sense.

As pointed out The Twilight Zone Campion doesn't help the reputation of this episode which is quite unfortunate. There are criticisms that can be taken apart. I however will just say it's one of the episodes that I think deserved a better review. Choosing the Civil War that is fought on the same grounds and doesn't have an easy solution when both sides have invested interest in the same place but little common ground is part of what has lead to this weariness. Yet they now find themselves on the same road no longer fighting as it has ended. Yes there were battles that continued and one of our main characters is at her most energetic when looking for revenge yet it is the futility of these acts the others recognize.

It's a difficult episode to fully appreciate without a few viewings and paying close attention to the words and the look and tone of it. Give it a chance.