The Six Triple Eight poster
Movie Buff reviews Tyler Perry's latest film based on real-life events on the first and only black women's army corps that served in Europe during WWII against all odds.

I must admit when I sat down to watch The Six Triple Eight on Netflix, I had little expectations for this movie. I wasn’t quite intrigued by a story of black women in the army delivering war mail in Europe during World War II. Didn’t find the theme that exciting. Granted, they made black history like the Tuskegee Airmen but how did Tyler Perry think he could pull this off? Robert Markowitz’s The Tuskegee Airmen engaged in actual combat which made for good cinema and drama. I couldn’t see it with these 855 women fully engaged in mail sorting and distribution. I just couldn’t. The movie was hit or miss.

the characters in 6888
from left: Dolores, Lena, Elaine & Johnnie

Tyler made a smart choice. He personalized the movie. Bringing the story home with real-life characters and real-life stories of members of the Negro Women’s Army Corps (WAC) aka The Six Triple Eight. Just like Jack and Rose ‘humanized’ the story of Titanic for many. From this human angle, the movie was more relatable and could no longer be viewed as merely a historical event recorded on film.

The Plot?

Morale was disturbingly low during wartime. Mails were not getting to loved ones. There was concern over this and its effect on soldiers at the frontlines in Europe. However, the army considered the matter too trivial in the face of daunting Nazi opposition, meaning the letters continued to pile up in warehouses. US President Franklin D. Roosevelt (Sam Waterston) mandates Gen. Holt (Dean Norris) to do something about it. At least two years’ worth of army mail was yet to be sorted and delivered. Many had tried and failed to clear these Augean stables. So when the First Lady’s Negro confidante (played by Oprah Winfrey) suggests that the black female soldiers of the 6888 could succeed where white male soldiers hadn’t, Gen. Holt naturally scoffs at the idea. Seeing that she had the president’s support, the General resolves to ensure they also fail. The Negro W.A.C. are given 6 months to deliver against all odds.

The Cast is Key

Never hurts to use stellar actors as leverage- to get the required emotion from viewers with their sincere portrayals. Actresses like Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams- leader of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion- and Ebony Obsidian as Lena Derriecott Bell King who, not as famous as Kerry, gave such a heart-wrenching performance in her co-lead role. Let’s not forget Dean Norris who made quite the antagonist without being a caricature of a racist. I liked his subtle approach to the character. Though irritating and brash at times, you could almost feel his restraint from saying what he really thought of Adams and her corps of Negro WAC.

The casting was spot on – with Susan Sarandon as Eleanor Roosevelt, Oprah as her close friend Mary McLeod Bethune- and a surprise highlight of the film: actress/singer Shanice Williams as the outspoken Johnnie Mae! (Not to be mistaken for singer Shanice (‘I Love Your Smile’) Wilson. The former was born 5 years after that hit song.) She brought life and a light-hearted ying to Ebony’s understandably depressing yang and the sombre setting. We loved her smile and she made us too.

Memorable Scenes

Major Adams and Gen. Holt
Major Adams and Gen. Holt (Netflix)

Let’s not forget the touching ‘Ghost’ scenes with Lena and her deceased Jewish boyfriend Abram David (Gregg Sulkin). Then there’s my most memorable scene in the movie- the heated conversation between Gen. Holt and Maj. Charity Adams during a scheduled inspection of St. Edward’s. The ‘Over my dead body!’ speech. So passionately executed that it would leave you with a lump in your throat and goosebumps all over. An Oscar-worthy delivery! Every good drama has such A Moment when moving dialogue matches strong emotion and invariably moves viewers. Examples? Mel Gibson’s ‘I am William Wallace’ speech in Braveheart before the final battle, Russell Crowe’s ‘My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius’ speech in Gladiator when he finally confronts Commodus in the arena. Jack Nicholson’s ‘You can’t handle the truth’ speech in A Few Good Men to name a few. Kerry had remarkable speeches in this movie but this was it.

the real 6888
The real 6888

So what did I take away from this movie? The end scenes for one. When you see video clips of the real Lena, the real Major Adams, the real 6888 marching past. When you suddenly realize that what you just watched was about real heroes whom history had almost forgotten. Real people who rose above racism and sexism to muster enough patriotism to serve a country that didn’t appreciate their value and under harsh conditions and army leaders who wanted them to fail.

Indeed, against all odds, Tyler Perry succeeded with the resolute black women of The Six Triple Eight. I give this film a 7.5/10 and a heartfelt salute.

Tyler and the ladies saluting
popcorn
movie buff

2 thoughts on “The Six Triple Eight- Over My Dead Body!

  1. I found the film quite interesting though I wouldn’t say it’s a classic. I’d give it a 7/10. My favourite characters were Major Adams and Johnnie Mae.

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