Tyler Perry is teaming up with Netflix to direct the feature film, Six Triple Eight, about the 6888th battalion — the only all-Black, all-female battalion during World War II.
This is the fourth film Perry has directed for Netflix, after bringing his character Madea to the streaming giant and also helming A Fall From Grace and A Jazzman’s Blues.
Six Triple Eight tells the inspiring true story of the 855 brave women of the World War II Battalion. With little knowledge of their herculean task of sorting through millions of pieces of mail in unheated warehouses, the women not only succeeded but did it in half the time they were given.
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Facing discrimination, unfamiliar land, and a war-torn country, they persevered and sorted over 17 million pieces of mail, reconnecting American soldiers with their families and loved ones back home.
According to the streamer, “The motto that kept them going each day was one they created themselves: “No Mail, Low Morale.” The women of the 6888 weren’t just delivering mail, they were delivering hope.”
The story of the 6888th Postal Directory Battalion had been ignored for decades, until recently. 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.
Perry will write the screenplay based on an article by Kevin M. Hymel, which was published in WWII History Magazine.
He will also produce along with, Nicole Avant for Her Excellency Productions; Keri Selig for Intuition Productions; Carlota Espinosa; Angi Bones and Tony Strickland for Tyler Perry Studios. Peter Guber for Mandalay Pictures will serve as executive producer.
