The Six Triple Eight
3 out of 5 Stars
Director: Tyler Perry
Writers: Tyler Perry, Kevin Hymel
Starring: Kerry Washington, Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Shanice Shantay
Rated: PG-13 for language, including racial slurs, thematic material and some war violence.
Synopsis: “The Six Triple Eight” is inspired by the first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of color to serve overseas in World War II. Given an extraordinary mission and united in their determination, these unsung heroes delivered hope and shattered barriers.
Review: Just when you think you know everything about WWII, a film like “The Six Triple Eight” comes along. I hadn’t really given much thought to mail delivery during wartime. Apparently, the U.S. Army hadn’t either, as thousands upon thousands of letters to and from the frontlines gathered dust in a grammar school in Europe.
It isn’t until Eleanor Roosevelt is made aware of the situation that a plan is put into place. A Black Women’s Army Corps is given the task of sorting out the mail and getting it delivered to the soldiers and their families at home. It is an assignment they are expected to fail. History tells another tale as the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion made history as the only all-Black and all-female battalion to serve overseas in the war.
While it never slips to the level of a Hallmark or Lifetime teledrama, “The Six Triple Eight” is probably less abrasive than it needs to be. Racism and sexism are present throughout, but when the film throws punches, they come from fists concealed in well-padded gloves to soften the blows.
I’m not overly familiar with director/co-writer Tyler Perry’s work. I know him more by reputation. I think I’ve only watched one of his films. Maybe this is as heavy and dark as Perry is willing or able to go.
The performances are strong. I always enjoy watching Kerry Washington and she doesn’t disappoint as Maj. Adams. Her co-stars are incredibly amenable. Cinematography is fine, the story moves at a decent pace, the script is certainly coherent, and it is a story that needs to be known. I think it could be told better in a film that dares to go deeper beneath the surface and into the hearts of these incredible women who, despite being almost completely unheralded, changed the course of history by improving morale at home and abroad. How much history would have been lost if they had failed? Would the war have gone in a different direction? I think so.
I recommend watching “The Six Triple Eight” on Netflix. If you can get past the film’s soft touch, there is a important slice of history to behold.
I recently watched the Netflix WWII drama “The Six Triple Eight” and found it to be a gripping and important story that sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of history. The series follows the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-Black female unit tasked with sorting and delivering mail for the millions of American soldiers stationed in Europe during World War II.
I was impressed with the way the show highlighted the challenges and discrimination faced by the women of the 6888th, while also showcasing their strength, resilience, and camaraderie. The performances were solid across the board, with standout turns from Asha Kamali May as the determined and resourceful Captain Charity Adams and Tyla Harris as the rebellious and headstrong Private Anna Hastings.
The production design and costumes effectively captured the time period, and the writing did a good job of balancing the personal stories of the women with the larger historical context. While there were some pacing issues and moments of melodrama, overall I found “The Six Triple Eight” to be a compelling and well-executed drama that sheds light on an important chapter of American history.
If you’re a fan of WWII dramas or are interested in stories of underrepresented voices in history, I highly recommend giving “The Six Triple Eight” a watch. It’s a powerful and poignant series that tells a great story fairly well.
Tags:
- Netflix
- WWII drama
- The Six Triple Eight
- military history
- women in the military
- African American soldiers
- World War II
- streaming service
- diversity in film
- true story adaptation
- historical drama
#Netflix #WWII #drama #Triple #great #story #told
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