The Six Triple Eight is a 2024 American war drama film written and directed by Tyler Perry, on the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-black and all-female battalion, in World War II.[2] The film features an ensemble cast which includes Kerry Washington, Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson, Shanice Shantay, Sarah Jeffery, Pepi Sonuga, Moriah Brown, Gregg Sulkin, Susan Sarandon, Dean Norris, Sam Waterston and Oprah Winfrey.
The Six Triple Eight | |
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Directed by | Tyler Perry |
Written by | Tyler Perry |
Based on | "Fighting a Two-Front War" by Kevin M. Hymel |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | Michael Watson |
Edited by | Maysie Hoy |
Music by | Aaron Zigman |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Netflix |
Release dates |
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Running time | 127 minutes[1] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
The Six Triple Eight was released in select cinemas on December 6, 2024, before its streaming debut by Netflix on December 20, 2024.
Premise
editThe film is based on the 2019 WWII History magazine article, "Fighting a Two-Front War", by Kevin M. Hymel on the contributions of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-black and all-female battalion, in World War II.
Cast
edit- Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams
- Ebony Obsidian as Lena Derriecott King
- Dean Norris as General Halt
- Sam Waterston as Franklin Roosevelt
- Oprah Winfrey as Mary McLeod Bethune
- Susan Sarandon as Eleanor Roosevelt
- Milauna Jackson as Captain Campbell
- Kylie Jefferson as Bernice Baker
- Shanice Shantay as Johnnie Mae
- Sarah Jeffery as Dolores Washington
- Pepi Sonuga as Elaine White
- Jay Reeves as Private Hugh Bell
- Jeanté Godlock as Vera
- Moriah Brown as Inez
- Gregg Sulkin as Abram David
- Donna Biscoe as Emma Derriecott
- Baadja-Lyne Odums as Susie
- Jeffery Thomas Johnson as Colonel Davenport
Production
editIt was announced in December 2022 that Tyler Perry would be writing and directing the film Six Triple Eight for Netflix.[3] The 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.[4] In January 2023, the cast, including Kerry Washington, Sam Waterston, Susan Sarandon and Oprah Winfrey was announced, with Washington also joining as an executive producer.[5]
Filming began on January 17, 2023, in Atlanta.[6] Production also occurred in Little Germany, Bradford and at Imperial War Museum Duxford in February.[7][8] Filming took place in Cedartown, Georgia on March 28, 2023.[9]
Release
editIn February 2024, Six Triple Eight was reported to be part of Netflix's 2024 release calendar, with a specific date yet to be announced.[10][11][12] In August 2024, it was announced that the film, now titled The Six Triple Eight, would be released in a limited theatrical release on December 6, 2024, with a streaming release two weeks later on December 20 on Netflix.[13]
Reception
editCritical reception
editThe Six Triple Eight received mixed reviews from critics. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 50% of 18 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.1/10.[14] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 59 out of 100, based on seven critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[15]
Film critic Peter Debruge from Variety gave it a positive review, writing: “The Six Triple Eight gives Perry his best and most substantial feature to date (only 2010’s ensemble melodrama For Colored Girls comes close)... The film boasts a large enough cast to launch a dozen or so careers, and yet, one performance stands head and shoulders above the others: That would be Washington’s forceful turn as Adams, who holds her own against arrogant white officers."[16] Frank Scheck from The Hollywood Reporter also gave it a positive review, praising Obsidian and Washington' performances.[17] Jesse Hassenger from The Guardian gave it 2/5 stars, writing: "Kerry Washington hams it up in the writer-director’s stodgy ode to a battalion of women in the second world war who deserve far better".[18]
Accolades
editAward | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hollywood Music in Media Awards | November 20, 2024 | Original Score – Feature Film | Aaron Zigman | Nominated | [19] |
Best Original Song – Feature Film | "The Journey" – Diane Warren; Performed by H.E.R. | Won | |||
Celebration of Cinema and Television | December 9, 2024 | Icon Award | Tyler Perry | Won | [20] |
African-American Film Critics Association | February 19, 2025 | Beacon Award | Nicole Avant | Honored[a] | [21] |
Notes
edit- ^ Also for The Black Godfather
References
edit- ^ "The Six Triple Eight (12)". British Board of Film Classification. September 10, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ Jennie Rothenberg Gritz (March 2023). "Women Who Shaped History: How an All-Black Female WWII Unit Saved Morale on the Battlefield". Smithsonian Magazine. Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 14, 2022). "Tyler Perry Sets Next Film At Netflix: Six Triple Eight About Only All-Black Female WWII Battalion". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
- ^ Galuppo, Mia (December 14, 2022). "Tyler Perry Sets WWII Movie 'Six Triple Eight' at Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (January 11, 2023). "Kerry Washington To Exec Produce, Star In Tyler Perry's Netflix WWII Pic Six Triple Eight; Sam Waterston, Susan Sarandon & Oprah Winfrey Among Others Set". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
- ^ Steves, Ashley (January 6, 2023). "Now Casting: Tyler Perry's Six Triple Eight Needs Talent + 3 More Gigs". Backstage. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ Marano, Rebecca (January 31, 2023). "Six Triple Eight: New Netflix film starring Oprah Winfrey, Kerry Washington and Susan Saradon to be filmed in Little Germany, Bradford". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
- ^ Findlay, Cait (February 18, 2023). "Duxford is location for Netflix film Six Triple Eight featuring Oprah Winfrey". Cambridgeshire Live. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
- ^ Stewart, Jeremy (March 28, 2023). "Tyler Perry shoots scenes for WWII-era movie in downtown Cedartown". Northwest Georgia News. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
- ^ "Next on Netflix: Your Ultimate Guide to the Movies and Shows Coming in 2024". Netflix Tudum. February 7, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 1, 2024). "Netflix 2024 Movie Slate: Titles From Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Jerry Seinfeld & Woody Woodpecker; 'Beverly Hills Cop 4' Sets Release Date". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ Reynolds, Genell (February 1, 2024). "Netflix, Tyler Perry to tell the story of heroic Black servicewomen in WWII". KSDK. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (August 28, 2024). "Netflix Unveils Premiere Date, Teaser, First-Look Photos For Tyler Perry's 'The Six Triple Eight'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
- ^ "The Six Triple Eight". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
- ^ "The Six Triple Eight". Metacritic. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
- ^ Debruge, Peter (December 6, 2024). "'The Six Triple Eight' Review: A Battalion of Black Women Makes History in Tyler Perry's Best Film Yet".
- ^ Scheck, Frank (December 6, 2024). "'The Six Triple Eight' Review: Kerry Washington Commands Tyler Perry's Rousing World War II Drama for Netflix".
- ^ Hassenger, Jesse (December 6, 2024). "The Six Triple Eight review – Tyler Perry's war movie is another bomb" – via The Guardian.
- ^ Willman, Chris (November 6, 2024). "Hollywood Music in Media Awards Noms Led by 'Emilia Pérez' and 'Blitz,' With Elton John, Hans Zimmer and Scores More Among the Nominees". Hollywood Music in Media Awards. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ Hammond, Pete (September 26, 2024). "Critics Choice Association Sets Dates For Celebrations Awards Shows; Tyler Perry, Zoe Saldaña, Joan Chen First Honorees". Deadline. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
- ^ Anderson, Erik (November 27, 2024). "AwardsWatch - African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) Honorees: 'Nickel Boys,' 'The Piano Lesson' Filmmakers and Casts and More". AwardsWatch. Retrieved November 30, 2024.