The Six Triple Eight Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A group of Black women in WWII sort mail, proving that even the post office can defeat racism and bureaucracy, one letter at a time.

🍿 The Six Triple Eight: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Mail Backlog Crisis of WWII

The film opens in 1943 during World War II, highlighting the immense logistical challenges of delivering mail to soldiers on the front lines. Warehouses are overflowing with undelivered letters and packages, causing morale to plummet as soldiers lose contact with loved ones back home. The situation becomes dire, prompting urgent action from the highest levels of command.

Lena’s Personal Motivation and Enlistment

We are introduced to Lena, a young African American woman who experiences personal loss when her sweetheart, Abram, a pilot, is reported dead shortly after deploying. Grief-stricken and determined to contribute to the war effort, Lena enlists in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). This decision is made despite the prevailing societal biases and her family’s reservations about opportunities for Black women in the military.

Formation of the 6888th Battalion

Lena joins other women at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, where they undergo basic training under the strict command of Captain Charity Adams. The 6888th Battalion, an all-Black female unit, faces the dual challenge of military discipline and racial prejudice. Despite their readiness, the battalion remains sidelined, awaiting orders while the mail crisis worsens.

The Mission in Europe

The 6888th is finally deployed to Europe to tackle the daunting task of sorting the massive backlog of mail in warehouses in the UK. They face immediate challenges: a racist commanding officer, inadequate facilities, and a seemingly impossible deadline. The unit is given six months to process two years’ worth of undelivered mail, a timeline many believe is designed for them to fail.

Overcoming Obstacles

Under Major Adams’s leadership, the women of the 6888th work tirelessly to create a functional postal system in their dilapidated surroundings. They develop innovative methods to sort the mail, navigate logistical nightmares, and combat discrimination. Lena’s personal connection to the mission deepens her resolve, while the entire unit displays remarkable resilience and ingenuity.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Major Adams (Kerry Washington): The determined and disciplined commander of the 6888th Battalion, who faces discrimination while leading her unit to sort the massive backlog of undelivered mail.
• Lena Derriecott King (Ebony Obsidian): A young woman who enlists in the 6888th Battalion after the loss of her sweetheart and finds purpose in delivering mail to soldiers.
• Captain Campbell (Milauna Jackson): Major Adams’ second-in-command, who supports her and the battalion in their challenging mission.
• General Halt (Dean Norris): The racist commanding officer who attempts to undermine the 6888th Battalion’s efforts and replace Major Adams.
• Eleanor Roosevelt (Susan Sarandon): The First Lady who champions the cause of the 6888th Battalion and advocates for their deployment.
• Mary McLeod Bethune (Oprah Winfrey): An advisor to President Roosevelt and a powerful advocate for the African American Women’s Army Corps.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Abram David: “The only eyes that matter are ours.” – Said to Lena, emphasizing their independence and self-worth amidst societal prejudice.
• Major Adams: “Over my dead body.” – Major Adam’s defiant response to General Halt’s attempt to replace her, showing her determination to protect her unit and their mission.
• Major Adams: “As negro women in the army, we have to be better than everyone else.” – Major Adam’s quote showcases the high standards she sets for her unit due to racial expectations.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 The Six Triple Eight Reviews

Personal Review

I was really moved by “The Six Triple Eight.” Learning about this untold story of these amazing women was powerful. The acting was great, and I especially loved the scenes where they stood up against discrimination. The part with the letter brought tears to my eyes and it’s just amazing to see their story brought to light, makes you proud to be a women.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about World War II”
  • “Those who appreciate films highlighting the contributions of women and minorities”
  • “Audiences looking for inspirational stories about overcoming adversity”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “War violence”
  • “Racial discrimination”
  • “Some language”
  • “Brief scenes of death and grief”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “”The Six Triple Eight” effectively highlights a crucial but overlooked chapter of WWII, showcasing the perseverance of Black women soldiers. While the direction occasionally leans into melodrama, the strong performances and compelling narrative make it a worthwhile watch.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Perry shines a light on a historical event, highlighting the contributions of Black women during WWII, though the movie lacks a strong military advisor making the movie feel a bit lackluster.
• Variety: “The Six Triple Eight has a good story to be told, but lacks the ability to pull it together into something worthwhile.

Audience Reactions

Viewers appreciated the historical accuracy and important stories.: Audiences praised the film for highlighting an important, yet often overlooked, chapter in history, especially appreciating the focus on Black women’s contributions during WWII.

The cast and characters bring the story to life.: Viewers admired the strong female leads, their struggles, resilience, and how they banded together to overcome adversity.

Overall Consensus: A moving tribute to the 6888th Battalion, highlighting their resilience and dedication in the face of discrimination during WWII. Some critics noted inconsistencies with the story line, but viewers generally praise this film as being an important piece of history.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Tyler Perry made the film quickly to show Mrs. Lena Derriecott Bell King, one of the last surviving members of the 6888th Battalion, the final cut of her story before she passed away.”
• “Perry showed the film to Lena King on his iPad before she died, and she reportedly cried and said, “Thank you for letting the world know that Black women contributed.””

🖥️ How to Watch The Six Triple Eight?

The Six Triple Eight is currently streaming on Netflix. Since it’s a Netflix original, it’s exclusively available on that platform. Unfortunately, there are no options to rent or purchase the movie on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play, as it’s not available outside of Netflix.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Six Triple Eight, you might like these similar films:

• Hidden Figures (2016): Both films highlight the contributions of African American women in overcoming discrimination and making significant contributions during a critical historical period.
• A League of Their Own (1992): This movie shares the theme of women excelling in traditionally male roles during World War II, showcasing their strength and capabilities in the face of adversity.
• Buffalo Soldiers (2001): Another story about the contribution of black soldiers during the War in WW2.

🛒 The Six Triple Eight Related Products

• The Six Triple Eight: The Untold Story of the Black Women Who Helped Win World War II: Based on the true story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during WWII.
• World War II US Army Women’s Army Corps WAC Enlisted Visor Cap: Replica of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) visor cap worn during WWII, allowing fans to embody the historical figures.
• Vintage World War 2 Posters – Set of 6 (12×16 inch): A set of six vintage-style WWII posters, capturing the aesthetic of the era and providing historical context to the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Six Triple Eight features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Moore’s Lane” – performed by On Again Big Band

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The REAL Story Behind the ‘Six Triple Eight’ Movie

Want to know the real story that inspired ‘The Six Triple Eight’? This video dives into the incredible history of the 6888th Battalion – it’s fascinating to see how their bravery made it to the big screen!

Kerry Washington Talks about The Six Triple Eight, Being an Only Child, and More | Skip Intro

Ever wonder what Kerry Washington thinks about her role in ‘The Six Triple Eight’? She gets super personal in this interview, even sharing how she connected with her character through some amazing discoveries! Definitely worth a watch.

The Six Triple Eight Cast Gives Thanks For Outstanding Motion Picture Award | NAACP Image Awards ’25

Check out the cast of ‘The Six Triple Eight’ accepting their NAACP Image Award! It’s a short but powerful moment, and you can really feel their gratitude and pride. Makes you appreciate the movie even more.

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