The Six Triple Eight movie review: Tyler Perry’s The Six Triple Eight (2024) brings to light the incredible yet largely unacknowledged story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female unit in the U.S. Army during World War II. Despite their monumental contributions, this battalion’s achievements went unnoticed for decades, both during their service and long after. Perry’s film serves as a tribute to their perseverance and dedication, though it struggles with fully realizing the emotional and narrative potential of its subject matter.
The Six Triple Eight movie review
The movie opens in 1943 on the war-torn battlefields of Italy, capturing the chaos of combat and the emotional toll it exacts. Amidst the violence, a tender romance blossoms between Lena (Ebony Obsidian), a Black woman, and Abram (Gregg Sulkin), a Jewish combat pilot. Their interracial relationship is a bold defiance of the prejudices of the time, and the two dream of a future together despite the looming shadow of war. However, their love story is cut short when Abram is killed in action. Lena is left heartbroken, her dreams of marriage and a life together shattered.
Struggling with her grief and unable to afford higher education, she decides to join the Women’s Army Corps. For Lena, enlisting is not only a chance to honor Abram’s memory but also an opportunity to contribute to the fight against the oppressive forces of the Axis powers. Upon joining the army, Lena is assigned to the 6888th Battalion, led by Major Charity Adams (Kerry Washington). From the outset, the women of the battalion face a double burden of discrimination—both as women and as African Americans. They endure segregation, inadequate resources, and constant scrutiny from their white male superiors.
Despite these challenges, Major Charity instills in her team a sense of purpose and resilience. After months of being relegated to menial tasks, the battalion is finally given a significant assignment: clearing the years-long backlog of undelivered mail meant for soldiers on the front lines. Although the task seems demeaning at first, the women soon realize its critical importance, as the letters represent a lifeline for soldiers longing to hear from their loved ones.
The Six Triple Eight Trailer – Netflix
The film’s core theme revolves around the resilience of the 6888th Battalion in the face of systemic injustice. The women are portrayed as tireless and resourceful, transforming a neglected warehouse into a functional workspace despite freezing temperatures, poor lighting, and unsanitary conditions. The camaraderie among the battalion members becomes a source of strength as they navigate their shared struggles. Their determination not only serves as a testament to their courage but also underscores the broader fight for equality and recognition for marginalized communities.
Through Lena’s journey, the film also explores themes of personal loss and healing. Her decision to join the army is motivated by a desire for closure after Abram’s death. However, her grief is woven into the larger narrative of collective struggle, emphasizing how personal pain can fuel resilience and purpose.
As the women tackle the monumental task of sorting through the mountain of undelivered mail, they encounter several obstacles, including incomplete addresses and limited resources. Two members of the battalion tragically lose their lives during the mission, but even their deaths are dismissed by the white officers. Determined to honor their fallen comrades, the battalion conducts the burial services themselves, showcasing their unwavering commitment to dignity and respect.
Lena eventually devises a system to decipher the soldiers’ locations using the symbols and codes in their letters. This innovation significantly accelerates the mail-sorting process, allowing the battalion to accomplish in six months what was initially deemed impossible. Their efficiency and dedication earn them respect from their white superiors, who finally acknowledge the battalion’s crucial role in boosting soldier morale. The 6888th Battalion is subsequently assigned to similar missions in other parts of Europe, further solidifying their legacy.
However, the recognition they deserved back home in the United States was long overdue. It was only decades later, with posthumous Congressional medals and the naming of military facilities after Major Charity Adams and others, that the battalion’s contributions were formally honored. This delay in acknowledgment serves as a poignant reminder of the persistent struggles for justice faced by Black Americans, even after extraordinary service.
While The Six Triple Eight admirably highlights an important and overlooked chapter in history, it falters in its execution. The film is undeniably heartfelt, but its focus on the battalion’s struggle for recognition overshadows the opportunity to explore the inner lives of its characters.
One of the film’s greatest strengths lies in its performances. Kerry Washington delivers a commanding portrayal of Major Charity Adams, capturing her determination and the immense pressure she faces as the leader of the battalion. Ebony Obsidian also brings emotional depth to Lena, portraying her journey from heartbreak to resilience with nuance. The film effectively conveys the magnitude of the battalion’s mission and the systemic obstacles they faced. It also underscores the historical neglect of Black women’s contributions, making it a timely and necessary story.
However, the film’s character development feels one-dimensional. While the battalion’s collective achievements are celebrated, the individual members remain largely underexplored. Lena’s grief and her bond with her comrades are touched upon but not deeply developed, leaving her emotional journey feeling rushed. Similarly, the dynamics within the battalion are hinted at but not fully realized, which limits the audience’s ability to connect with the characters on a personal level.
The film also suffers from a lack of narrative cohesion. It often feels like a series of historical milestones rather than a cohesive story, with emotional beats that are either overemphasized or glossed over. The pacing is uneven, and the film’s tendency to reiterate the battalion’s struggles without delving into their personal stories makes it feel more like a historical lecture than a character-driven drama.
Summary
The Six Triple Eight is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices and contributions of the 6888th Battalion, a group of women who refused to be overlooked. While the film succeeds in raising awareness about their achievements, it misses the mark in fully capturing the emotional depth and complexity of their experiences. For viewers seeking an introduction to this remarkable chapter of history, the film serves as a valuable starting point. However, it leaves one wishing for a deeper exploration of the lives and personalities of these extraordinary women.
Ultimately, Tyler Perry’s film is a noble effort to right historical wrongs, but it falls short of delivering the richly layered narrative that the story of the 6888th Battalion truly deserves.
Top 5 Rotten Tomatoes Reviews
It’s nevertheless a good story of duty, sacrifice, toughness and delayed redemption, with the voice of Michelle Obama over the end credits honoring members of the 6888th in 2015 – Ty Burr, Washington Post
The subject of “The Six Triple Eight” is certainly a worthy one… It is a fact-based, authentic, outrageous-but-inspiring episode in American history. And one that utterly defeats writer-director Tyler Perry – John Anderson, Wall Street Journal
But the real-life story ultimately exerts such emotional force that even when we know we’re being shamelessly manipulated… you can’t help but get choked up – Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter
An entire film that focuses on untangling this organizational mess clearly exists, but Perry would much rather lean on trite platitudes that state the obvious again and again, rather than trust the “boring” nuances of the historical record – Vikram Murthi, indieWire
The compelling true story marks a significant step forward for Perry, bolstered by the participation of Susan Sarandon and Oprah Winfrey, who appear in small but substantial roles – Peter Debruge, Variety
Top Movie Ratings
| Metacritic | 57% |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 50% |
| IMDb | 6.3/10 |
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