The Six Triple Eight film is based on historian Kevin M. Hymel's article, "Fighting a Two-Front War", published in the February 2019 issue of WWII History magazine. The cast, includes Kerry Washington, Sam Waterston, Susan Sarandon and Oprah Winfrey, with Washington also joining as an executive producer.
The movie is about the untold story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only troop of Black women and women of color to serve in Europe during World War II. The 855 women of the “Six Triple Eight,” as they were known, contributed to the war by sorting through a three-year backlog of mail (17 million pieces of it) and dramatically improving morale. Kerry Washington stars as the troop’s commander Major Charity Adams, while Winfrey portrays famed activist, educator and civil rights leader Mary McLeod Bethune, who was influential in the Roosevelt Administration and advocated for Black women in the armed forces.
The film won't shy away from the discrimination these women faced as they attempted to carry out such a huge wartime task, while living in segregated housing. “Despite facing racism and sexism – and gruelling working conditions – they were committed to serving their country with honour and distinction. Given an extraordinary mission and united in their determination, these unsung heroes delivered hope and shattered barriers,”
Director Tyler Perry told Variety about working with Oprah Winfrey, " I had to find the right thing for her,” “All these years we’ve been friends, I knew we’d work together at some point, but I wanted to find something that was worthy of her. Because she’s not a Madea kind of girl. I don’t see her sitting there with Madea having a conversation.”
The Six Triple Eight” debuts in select theaters on Dec. 6 and begins streaming Dec. 20 on Netflix.
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