Route 66 (TV Series) Fifty Miles from Home (1963) User Reviews

A Prescient Script

[campbell-russell-a · 8/10 · 4 February 2014]

It was only 1963 and the writers had anticipated the problems that would be faced by many young Vietnam War vets. The problem faced by vets in all wars of returning to their country and fitting back into its everyday life is acknowledged in this episode but there is the added problem faced by Linc of finding a reason for why he fought in the war. Linc's attempt to explain what he experienced to his mother and what it all meant was a precursor of what was to come for the next eight years. A war with no discernible purpose and traumatized vets returning to a divided society. Linc rejects his hero's welcome but soon the vets had to cope with no welcome at all. Linc Case was indeed a prototype of the lost generation of Vietnam vets that are still to be found all these years later.

Powerful and Sensitively done.

[lrrap · 9/10 · 12 January 2020]

It's interesting how Twilight Zone writers and fans are always bragging about the Vietnam War subplot in "In Praise of Pip"-- (an excellent episode which aired on September 27, 1963), when, in fact, Route 66's Linc Case and his Vietnam experience was playing out in prime time 6 months earlier.

A most welcome appearance by Linc--a strong, sympathetic performance by Glenn Corbett--- which was DESPERATELY needed to break the cycle of Tod Stiles' solo shows, with all of those convoluted, psychological morality plays (most with unhinged female characters). And even though THIS episode's goofy, ephemeral lady (Susan Oliver) is merely annoying , she does tend to distract from the power and intensity of Linc's emotional situation. I wish he would have just told her to GET LOST in the hotel room scene on the phone.

Like many, I have problems with writer/producer Silliphant's approach to the topic of military training/martial arts and the potential for violence during a serviceman's re-adjustment. (The fine series "THE DEFENDERS" 2nd episode also dealt with this subject and really copped out in a "touchy-feely" way).

There's no doubt in my mind: the PUNKS that harassed and assaulted Linc got EXACTLY what they deserved...and we don't need any soul-searching and chest-beating from social progressives like Silliphant on this. Leave the guy alone and let him work through his problems, for Pete's sake. Maybe the punks will think twice the next time.

And "Mr. Tough Guy"/Preppy Tod Stiles should have just cooled off, instead of making Linc's first trip home that much more difficult. But I guess that's just Silliphant talking-- ironically through a character (Stiles) who's much more ill-tempered, violent and unreasonable than Linc could ever be.

Wonderful, sensitive scene between Linc and his long-suffering mother, made all the more tragic by his story of the Vietnamese girl who died while saving his life. Very moving.

Two complaints (Other than Susan Oliver's loopy character)---

1.) Why doesn't anyone (Linc included) speak up and defend him? It was CLEARLY a case of self-defense against that gang of creeps. Ms. Oliver makes a half-hearted attempt, to no avail. No witnesses? It happened in broad daylight.

2.) Stupid music- soundtrack decision: using that hoaky "Oriental"- sounding stuff when Linc starts to lose it; I understand it's supposed to tip us off as Linc "relives" his 'Nam experience....but, really.....even back in 1963 it was trite. LR

Linc is Introduced.

[robinsoi · 7/10 · 18 November 2013]

A good look at post-traumatic stress disorder before it was diagnosed. As Tod says, "when you return from war you have to 'un-train.' As per the often odd way Stirling Sillaphant looks at violence, Tod's beating of Linc gets Linc to think about life's meaning without violence! When asked why Tod came looking for him, Tod says, "I thought I knew, but I don't know now." This story also introduces the strain between Linc and his father. This is eventually worked out in future episodes. The "main squeeze" actress plays a passive, poetry spewing female role for Linc, though there does not seems to be any attraction between the two. She 'mommies' Linc after the fight between Tod and Linc. Linc talks of a dead Vietnamese nurse who is dead, hinting to his experience in war. Linc explains to his 'girl' that he is "just not settled." He might even reenlist! Linc feels a strong desire to see his "ma" and drives off with Tod to do so (apparently Tod owns the convertible! "Thank God they send my boy home in one piece," says mom. "But you're too thin." Linc explains to his mother that the town is honoring "the killer," not who he really was or is. Linc has a heart to heart with his mother explaining the vicissitudes of war. Linc explains that he has to find "the same kind of meaning that I found on the other side of the world." He promises to be back, "one day soon." Tod and Linc drive off onto the "Route."

Gritty Reality of Effects of War

[wfavreau · 10/10 · 18 October 2019]

This shows exactly what's wrong with the Vietnam War. This war messed up a generation of veterans. This shows PTSD, alludes to fathers and society praising war and needless killing and hatred. It shows how returning solders have trouble adjusting back to civilian life. They want to find love but are beyond its reach. I love how it mentions Linc loved a Vietnamese woman and her family. Linc is played by Glenn Corbitt who gives a great performance. Ted too is great as he shows how not understanding returning soliders harms them and even you. It's amazing Linc would have gotten a welcome home since later vets were despised. If only people remember it isn't the veterans' fault as ill advised government. If only people had listened to this episode countless lives could have been saved.

Solid fact based TV show from 1963

[jim_85258 · 10/10 · 2 March 2019]

For a 1963 TV show this episode of Route 66 not only shows the truth about the Vietnam war before most people knew what it was all about but it doesn't sugar coat it like most shows did a decade later. Way way ahead of its time in my opinion especially when you consider they were always behind schedule because of travel time with half a script and having to call Hollywood from their filming locations to get the rest of the script over the phone. They worked 6 sometimes even 7 days a week 12 hour days. This was a difficult series to say the least. I enjoyed this episode very much and am impressed by the acting of both Glenn Corbett and Martin Milner.

3/22/63 "Fifty Miles From Home"

[schappe1 · 11 November 2015]

After carrying a long series of episodes, Martin Milner takes a back seat to Glenn Corbett as a new character, Lincoln Case, who has recently come back from a place called Vietnam that few Americans had heard of at the time. The biggest interest in this script is his description of the fighting there, which includes some phrases we would hear later: Viet Cong, Ho Chi Minh Trail, Fire Control, Strategic Hamlet Program, etc.

The story, which must have been hastily written, shows Case as a guy trained to fight and kill who now finds himself back home, trying to figure out who he is. Soldiers have to create someone who can do what they have to do. They don't necessarily like that person and sometimes they have trouble removing him once created. But unlike a lot of dramatists, Stirling Silliphant doesn't present Case as being out of control. He's just troubled and Corbett's impassive face is useful to suggest this brooding.

Still, it's strange when he refuses to see his own father because he regards his son as a hero and instead decides to join Todd in his cross-country peregrinations. The two start out at odds because Linc injured one of Todd's charges at a local boy's club in a brawl. When Todd tries to take revenge, having had it explained to him that Linc is an excerpt in judo and karate, He's surprised to find his opponent isn't using all of his skills and realizes it's because he doesn't want to really hurt anybody. This forms the basis for their new friendship and the second seat in the corvette has an occupant again.

Convoluted

[amexspam · 2/10 · 14 March 2023]

Here we have a stateside Vet, Linc, still affected by The War - it's a common theme to all wars, not just Vietnam,, but okay. A group of townies/frat boys decide to pick on him because they think he won't fight. But he's pushed too far, and not only wins the fight but hurts the arm of a potential pro basketball player. However, our Vet has no regrets, because, basically, he didn't start the fight. Then, Tod, out of the blue, decides he wants to fight our Vet because even though the Vet was outnumbered 5 to 1 by the fratboys, he had the audacity to fight like a warmonger (i.e. Use judo and some really badly done karate) instead of just using his dukes. Tod then tails the Vet to another town to force him to use his fists instead of that mysterious Asian fighting stuff. After they punch each other to a draw, even Tod finally admits he doesn't know why he was really fighting....a question the audience was also asking. And then the Vet decides to buddy up with Tod who just tried to beat the snot out of him. The whole time you have a girl, Willow, following the Vet around because...well, the answer she gives makes as much sense as Tod's does. The acting was fine. The plot and dialogue was ridiculous.