The Six Triple Eight just won a streaming victory for Tyler Perry.
The World War II drama became Perry’s most-watched film to date on Netflix through its first four weeks of release, the streamer announced Jan. 14 on its Tudum blog.
The film debuted on the platform Dec. 20, and sits at No. 9 on the global Top 10 movie chart, with 4 million views for the week.
Based on a true story, the drama tells the story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.
Related: Big Sean Reveals His Grandmother Was a Member of The Six Triple Eight
Kerry Washington leads the cast as Major Charity Adams, commanding officer of the battalion. The actress also serves as a producer.
Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson, Shanice Shantay, Sarah Jeffery, Pepi Sonuga, Moriah Brown, and Jeanté Godlock round out the main cast.
Susan Sarandon, Dean Norris, Sam Waterston, and Oprah Winfrey have roles as well.
The Battalion is known as the first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of color to serve overseas in WWII.
Despite dealing with racism, sexism and grueling working conditions, the women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, nicknamed “The Six Triple Eight,” sorted over 17 million pieces of mail and reconnected American soldiers with their loved ones back home.
The women’s story was ignored for decades.
Then on March 14th, 2022, President Joe Biden signed a bill for the women to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. The honor was granted “in recognition of their pioneering military service, devotion to duty, and contributions to increase the morale of personnel stationed in the European theater of operations during World War II,” the bill states.
Tyler Perry directs, wrote the script and co-produces the film, which is based on an article by Kevin M. Hymel.
Additional producers include Nicole Avant, Keri Selig, Carlota Espinosa, Angi Bones, and Tony Strickland. Peter Guber executive produces.
The Six Triple Eight is the fourth film Perry directed for Netflix, after bringing his character Madea to the streaming giant and also helming A Fall From Grace and A Jazzman’s Blues.
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