Tyler Perry’s ‘The Six Triple Eight’ Honors Forgotten Heroes of WWII

Tyler Perry‘s latest film, ‘The Six Triple Eight,’ has hit select cinemas, marking a significant milestone in honoring the unsung heroes of World War II. The movie, released on December 6, 2024, ahead of its Netflix debut on December 20, 2024, tells the story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-black and all-female unit that played a crucial role in the war effort.

The film is based on historian Kevin M. Hymel’s 2019 article “Fighting a Two-Front War” published in WWII History magazine. It features an ensemble cast, including Kerry Washington, Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson, and notable figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Susan Sarandon, and Sam Waterston.

Kerry Washington stars as Major Charity Adams, the first African American woman to become a commissioned officer in the Women’s Army Corps. The cast also includes Dean Norris as General Halt, Sam Waterston as Franklin Roosevelt, and Oprah Winfrey as Mary McLeod Bethune, highlighting the diverse and influential roles women and African Americans held during the war.

The production of ‘The Six Triple Eight’ began in January 2023 in Atlanta, with additional filming locations in Little Germany, Bradford, and the Imperial War Museum Duxford. The film’s release is part of Netflix’s 2024 calendar and has garnered mixed reviews from critics since its limited theatrical release.

The film’s premise underscores the dual challenges faced by the 6888th battalion, who not only fought against the enemy but also battled racism and sexism within their own ranks. This narrative is a testament to the resilience and determination of these women, whose contributions to the war effort were often overlooked until now.