Saving Private Ryan is usually the film that comes up when discussing the greatest war film of all time. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film was praised for its groundbreaking realism and arguably changed cinema forever. But what if a more recent film has come along to “dethrone” Saving Private Ryan? While opinions may vary, many war film enthusiasts have rallied behind The Six Triple Eight, with some even calling it the greatest war film of all time.
Directed by Tyler Perry, The Six Triple Eight is an American war drama that tells the true story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, a pioneering unit formed in 1945, composed primarily of African American women who served during World War II. They were tasked with tackling a three-year backlog of mail, as military officials feared that the morale of US soldiers on the front lines was dwindling due to the lack of letters from home. Stationed in both England and France, the women worked tirelessly in grueling conditions, enduring long hours while simultaneously confronting both racial and gender discrimination.
They were left to sort through 17 million letters within six months, many of which were addressed to nicknames or had been damaged by rats after being stored in warehouses for years.
The synopsis for the film reads: “An army captain leads her historic battalion of all-female soldiers as they face a mission unlike any other: to restore hope to WWII’s frontlines by delivering over 17 million backlogged letters. Witness their courage and determination in The Six Triple Eight.”
Kerry Washington portrays Charity Adams, the first African-American woman to become an officer in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. She stars opposite Oprah Winfrey as Mary McLeod Bethune, a civil rights activist who strongly advocated for the rights of African Americans, particularly women.
The film also stars Ebony Obsidian as Lena Derriecott Bell King, Dean Norris as General Halt, Sam Waterston as Franklin Roosevelt, Susan Sarandon as Eleanor Roosevelt and Milauna Jackson as Captain Noel Campbell.
The Six Triple Eight, available to stream on Netflix, has received rave reviews online, with one fan writing: “Finally finished watching The Six Triple Eight and this is by far Tyler Perry’s best work. Everything was perfect. A 10/10 true cinematic masterpiece.”
Another claimed: “Saving Private Ryan and Patton have been dethroned. Greatest WWII film ever is The Six Triple Eight.”
A third echoed: “Congratulations to all those involved in this movie. You created a masterpiece and made the Six Triple Eight Battalion proud. I salute all of you.”
A fourth shared: “If you haven’t watched ‘The Six Triple Eight’ on Netflix yet, do it. It is an incredible story and you won’t be disappointed. @tylerperry produced a masterpiece. What a film.”
Another posted: “Tyler Perry’s Movie Six Triple Eight is the movie to see. It is the movie! It will move you. It Will inspire you. It should move you to thank our Lord for the strength and courage he has given us, the black people, the black woman. Mr. Perry, this movie is a Masterpiece. Thank you.”