A 2024 ,historical war drama directed by Tyler Perry, and based on a true story is being lauded for bringing recognition to an important piece of history and its unsung heroes.
The Six Triple Eight, starring Kerry Washington as the magnetic lead, Major Charity Adams, is about the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion — an all-Black, all-female battalion formed during World War II. The film is based on Kevin M. Hymel’s article Fighting a Two-Front War, which was published in the February 2019 issue of WWII History magazine.
The war drama tells the remarkable true story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black and all-female unit that was deployed overseas during World War II.
The unit was tasked with the tremendous challenge of sorting through millions of undelivered letters and packages that were meant for the American soldiers deployed during the war.
As they battled sexism, racism, and unforgiving wartime conditions in the 1940s, the women, led by Major Charity Adams, restored morale on the front lines and proved to be a rousing picture of excellence and determination in the face of unimaginable adversity — leaving behind an enduring legacy.
With a dismal 55 per cent critics approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Six Triple Eight was almost unanimously panned by critics, many of whose assessment was based more on Tyler Perry’s lack of directorial prowess than the actual story and performances.
While one commented: “Kerry Washington’s scene-stealing performance boosts Tyler Perry’s cumbersome but inspiring war drama.”
Another reviewer criticised Perry and wrote: “[Perry] can manage these soapy romantic beats, but charging the overall story with even the slightest hint of dramatic tension is beyond him.”
And one review of the film stated: “It’s full of heart and has a story worth exposing to more people. And yet, Perry’s shortcomings as a filmmaker hold this film back from being stronger.”
Currently streaming on Netflix, The Six Triple Eight’s featured song, The Journey, was nominated for an Academy Award for the Best Original Song at the 97th Academy Awards.
Yet there were some who had good things to say about the war drama: “Easily delivering on the big emotional beats, The Six Triple Eight is a natural crowd pleaser.”
Another reviewer wrote: “The Six Triple Eight” is a Frank Capra-esque feel-good story about heroes who are no longer forgotten.
The Six Triple Eight fared much better with audiences, garnering more positive reviews than negative ones. While one viewer wrote: “This is a really good period piece to watch, showing not only a piece of history that often is looked over, but also giving it to us in an entertaining way. The acting was good, story overall was good. Just good, good, good.”
Another lauded the historical drama: “I’m a history buff and this is a story that definitely deserves to be told and it’s lovely when the movie does the story justice. Great acting and script writing. Highly recommend.”
Featuring a stellar ensemble cast, Washington is joined by Ebony Obsidian, Susan Sarandon, Oprah Winfrey, Shanice Shantay, Milauna Jackson, Sarah Jeffery, Dean Norris, Pepi Sonuga, Sam Waterston, Moriah Brown, Gregg Sulkin, and Kylie Jefferson.
One viewer showered high praise on the film: “The Six Triple Eight…was an outstanding film, telling the story of amazing women! The story deserves more credit and more people to watch and learn the history of what these women did!”
While another simply stated: “I loved this movie from start to finish!”
The Six Triple Eight is available to stream on Netflix.