During World War II, 855 women joined the fight to fix the three-year backlog of undelivered mail. Faced with discrimination and a country devastated by war, they managed to sort more than 1... Read allDuring World War II, 855 women joined the fight to fix the three-year backlog of undelivered mail. Faced with discrimination and a country devastated by war, they managed to sort more than 17 million pieces of mail ahead of time.During World War II, 855 women joined the fight to fix the three-year backlog of undelivered mail. Faced with discrimination and a country devastated by war, they managed to sort more than 17 million pieces of mail ahead of time.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 12 wins & 8 nominations total
Jeffery Thomas Johnson
- Colonel Davenport
- (as Jeffery Johnson)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Summary
Reviewers say 'The Six Triple Eight' is a compelling film highlighting the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion's inspiring story. Kerry Washington's performance and emotional depth are praised, yet historical inaccuracies and over-dramatization are criticized. The film's focus on racial themes is both impactful and heavy-handed. Despite flaws, it sheds light on an overlooked historical chapter, with portrayals of racism and sexism eliciting mixed reactions. Pacing and execution are noted areas for improvement.
Featured reviews
It is unfortunate that such an extremely deserved story was told in such a basic manner. I and many people in America and beyond do not know the story of these extremely skilled individuals who helped in winning a war, and for the simple matter of learning even a bit about the 6888, this movie is worth showing and watching.
But as a film, this movie lacks effort, which I have no doubt is due to Netflix. The set never looks lived in, but like a set to play in. The makeup often looks too well done, reminding us this is a movie. Many more qualified people have pointed out the incorrect verbiage and actions of the soldiers involved, which is not excusable in a movie about soldiers. The acting is fairly stilted, but the fualt cannot be placed solely on the actors, but the director and producers involved.
It is truly a dissapointment that a film which ultimately aimed to honor and shed light on such important and often ignored individuals, failed to put in the care they deserved. If you care to learn about the 6888, watch the beginning and the end, and research from there. You'll spend the same amount of time as if you watched the entire movie, but you will actually learn about these heros.
But as a film, this movie lacks effort, which I have no doubt is due to Netflix. The set never looks lived in, but like a set to play in. The makeup often looks too well done, reminding us this is a movie. Many more qualified people have pointed out the incorrect verbiage and actions of the soldiers involved, which is not excusable in a movie about soldiers. The acting is fairly stilted, but the fualt cannot be placed solely on the actors, but the director and producers involved.
It is truly a dissapointment that a film which ultimately aimed to honor and shed light on such important and often ignored individuals, failed to put in the care they deserved. If you care to learn about the 6888, watch the beginning and the end, and research from there. You'll spend the same amount of time as if you watched the entire movie, but you will actually learn about these heros.
First of all, shame on you the USA for treating these soldiers / women in such a disgusting way. Made worse by the time it took to 'try' and rectify the disrespect shown. Right, I have that off my chest.
The film was average at best. When compared to Wiki, it looks like the Director did very little to stray away from the obvious. The delivery of the story was very by the numbers and I couldn't help but feel it was more of a Sunday TV movie. The story being very clunky and very simplistic.
The way the movie wrapped up was a huge disappointment. One blink of the eye and it seemed to be in overdrive to squeeze in as much as it could so it could finish. The time allocated towards bring all the loose ends together was a little disrespectful in itself. The salute scene in the train station was major cringe fest, meant to make up for all the disgusting acts. Then a major fast forwards to cover a little history before fade to black. Very disappointing.
Tyler Perry did a poor job here. He tracked the wrong story and delivered a very unbalanced story.
But I am more aware of their story so it did achieve something. But it could have been so much better...
The film was average at best. When compared to Wiki, it looks like the Director did very little to stray away from the obvious. The delivery of the story was very by the numbers and I couldn't help but feel it was more of a Sunday TV movie. The story being very clunky and very simplistic.
The way the movie wrapped up was a huge disappointment. One blink of the eye and it seemed to be in overdrive to squeeze in as much as it could so it could finish. The time allocated towards bring all the loose ends together was a little disrespectful in itself. The salute scene in the train station was major cringe fest, meant to make up for all the disgusting acts. Then a major fast forwards to cover a little history before fade to black. Very disappointing.
Tyler Perry did a poor job here. He tracked the wrong story and delivered a very unbalanced story.
But I am more aware of their story so it did achieve something. But it could have been so much better...
This is not a great movie, but it's certainly watchable. And the fact that so many of the previous 141 reviewers say that they had never heard of the 6888 and what they accomplished shows that a movie needed to be made on the subject. So bravo Tyler Perry for doing this.
My one objection is that the movie never spends time telling us how these women managed to get through all that mail in only three months. That was their signal accomplishment, what made them famous, and the movie never tells us.
It does tell us that several other units had been assigned the task previously and failed, so the 6888's achievement certainly merits recognition.
The obvious parallel contrast here is *Hidden Figures*, a downright remarkable movie that does not sell its audience short, but rather takes the time to let us see how those "human calculators" accomplished what they did. It makes us admire their ingenuity and intelligence, as well as their courage and perseverance.
I suspect the women of the 6888 had these qualities as well, but we really never get to see it.
There are books on the subject. I guess I'll have to go out and read one.
My one objection is that the movie never spends time telling us how these women managed to get through all that mail in only three months. That was their signal accomplishment, what made them famous, and the movie never tells us.
It does tell us that several other units had been assigned the task previously and failed, so the 6888's achievement certainly merits recognition.
The obvious parallel contrast here is *Hidden Figures*, a downright remarkable movie that does not sell its audience short, but rather takes the time to let us see how those "human calculators" accomplished what they did. It makes us admire their ingenuity and intelligence, as well as their courage and perseverance.
I suspect the women of the 6888 had these qualities as well, but we really never get to see it.
There are books on the subject. I guess I'll have to go out and read one.
The actual story is absolutely amazing, definitely one of triumph over adversity. What ruined it for me was how all the actors looked so polished and preened. If you watch the real footage at the end, there is not one scrap of makeup on the female soldiers. This made it feel unauthentic. I also found the script and some of the acting a bit woolly.
Saying that, what the actual battalion did in real life was and is incredible. It's worth a watch just to learn what they actually achieved. I just wish the film did real justice to those soldiers. I feel like they would have been a lot tougher in reality and certainly wouldn't have looked like they'd just stepped out of a beauty salon.
Saying that, what the actual battalion did in real life was and is incredible. It's worth a watch just to learn what they actually achieved. I just wish the film did real justice to those soldiers. I feel like they would have been a lot tougher in reality and certainly wouldn't have looked like they'd just stepped out of a beauty salon.
Opening scene: an Army unit LEAVES their covered, fortified position to charge an attacking enemy. In an open field...
As you would imagine, mass casualties happen. Then friendly planes start bombing and and crashing in said field??
That's not even remotely how that would have went down. Countless documentaries, were available but ignored. Sour taste right out the gate. Lost the trust of the audience.
This is what happens when people with no emotional connection to a subject matter are given a project they don't respect beyond the what they can gain from being associated with a project.
There are so many historians that would have gladly told the director it was a terrible way to portray that engagement.
As you would imagine, mass casualties happen. Then friendly planes start bombing and and crashing in said field??
That's not even remotely how that would have went down. Countless documentaries, were available but ignored. Sour taste right out the gate. Lost the trust of the audience.
This is what happens when people with no emotional connection to a subject matter are given a project they don't respect beyond the what they can gain from being associated with a project.
There are so many historians that would have gladly told the director it was a terrible way to portray that engagement.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaPerry filmed quickly, eager to show Mrs. Lena Derriecott Bell King, one of the last surviving members of the unit, the final cut of her story. Kerry Washington marveled at Perry's "efficiency" and brisk pace: " 'Well-oiled machine' doesn't even begin to describe it," she says, smiling at the memory. Like the women of the Six Triple Eight, Perry completed his mission, and he traveled to see King at her Las Vegas home before she died on Jan. 18, 2024, at age 100. He showed her the film on his iPad. "We sat and watched, and she was saluting the iPad and right back in the moment," recalls Perry. "After, she cried and said, 'Thank you for letting the world know that Black women contributed.' "
- GoofsThe bloody letter is still bright red: it would have oxidized by then and been rusty or dark brown.
- Quotes
Abram David: The only eyes that matter are ours.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Oscars (2025)
- How long is The Six Triple Eight?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Six Triple Eight
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime2 hours 7 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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