Netflix’s “The Six Triple Eight” brings to light the incredible, often overlooked story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, a group of African American women who played a pivotal role in World War II. With its powerful storytelling and deep respect for history, the film uncovers the courage, resilience and strength of these unsung heroes.
Tyler Perry came across the story by having a conversation with Lena Derriecott King, a former member of the 6888th Battalion. Perry shared, “when I left there, I had a whole movie in my mind that I wanted to write for her.” The film follows the perspective mainly of Lena Derriecott King, portrayed by Ebony Obsidian, in how she joins the fight to World War II after she receives notice that her lover was killed in action. She joins the Army Corps and trains under the supervision of Commander Major Charity Adams, who is portrayed by Kerry Washington. Although the story focuses on Derriecott, you still get the intertwined stories of Major Charity Adams and the families of those whose sons, brothers and husbands were sent to the war only to be unaware of a problem.
The problem was a three-year backlog of undelivered mail; there had been around 17 million pieces of mail that had not been delivered. These pieces were letters from families and soldiers that were left to be unsaid, not having any communication. So the army sent the 6888th Battalion from the Women’s Army Corps, the only all-Black women of over 800 women. They dealt with the discrimination and the lack of support of everyone except the First Lady Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune.
Since the film’s release it has grown in views, “impressive 52.4 million views over the first four weeks since its premiere on December 20th 2024, making it his most-watched Netflix movie to date,” said Perry. The film has also been nominated for an Oscar for the original song “The Journey”. The film has gained traction since streaming on Netflix.
If interested in watching the film, “The Six Triple Eight” is available on the streaming service Netflix. Learn the untold story of the 6888th Battalion the Women’s Army Corps. Learn about their trials and tribulations with their mission to manage, organize and send out around 17 million pieces of mail in six months. Watch “The Six Triple Eight” on Netflix.
