The Six Triple Eight, a new Netflix movie, is based on the true story of the first and only all-Black Women’s Army Corps unit that was sent overseas during World War II. This movie, which was directed by Tyler Perry and stars Kerry Washington, is a tribute to the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. These brave women faced racism and huge problems but kept going because they had an important job to do: deliver late mail to servicemen and their families. The 855 women who, despite being segregated and facing systemic problems, worked hard to process 17 million pieces of mail for soldiers who were eager to hear from their loved ones.
The film’s dedication to realism shows in its production choices, such as the care with which it chose its filming locations. A lot of filming took place in famous places in the US and UK to recreate the settings that shaped the battalion’s historic mission. We’ll talk about the movie’s filming locations and the interesting true story that inspired it below.
The Six Triple Eight Plot Summary
The movie follows the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion as it is sent to Europe near the end of World War II. Their job was to get rid of a huge amount of undeliverable mail in just six months. This was very important for keeping soldiers’ morale up. Through three shifts that ran around the clock, the women finished the job in an amazing 90 days.
Even though they made important contributions—these women had to deal with a lot of problems. They had to use their creativity to make things seem normal while living in poorly maintained, separate housing that didn’t have enough lighting or heat. They turned the space they had into a community hub with a kitchen, a hair salon and a bar serving drinks.
The 6888th made sure that soldiers could stay in touch with their families through hard work. After many years, their work was honored with a monument at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and in 2022, they were given the Congressional Gold Medal.
Who Was ‘Charity Adams Earley?
‘Charity Adams Earley‘ was the commanding officer of the 6888th Battalion and a trailblazer in every sense. Adams’s leadership and determination were key to their success. She paved the way for African-American women in the military and was the first Black woman in U.S. Army history to lead a battalion overseas.
Fort Gregg-Adams in Virginia was named after Adams in 2023, which added to her honor. Washington read Adams’ memoir, One Woman’s Army: A Black Officer Remembers the WAC—a lot to get ready for the part and she brought Adams’ spirit to life with passion and depth. Tyler Perry chose to cast Washington in this role on purpose to show off her range and honor Adams’ legacy.
Where was “The Six Triple Eight” Filmed?
To bring this historical story to life, the production team chose real-life places that were like the ones the 6888th Battalion lived in. The movie was shot in the US and the UK starting in 2023. Each site was carefully chosen to reflect the battalion’s experiences and the era’s atmosphere.
Tyler Perry said the same thing, “You felt their spirit all the time.” The production was full of history. For example, a local person shared some of Charity Adams’ personal items, which made the crew feel even more connected to the story.
United States Filming Locations
1. Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta was a major filming center because it had a wide range of buildings and great production facilities. Tyler Perry Studios, where many scenes were filmed, made it possible to recreate historical settings. Fort McPherson in Atlanta was also used as Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, to show the training center for the Women’s Army Corps. The city’s lively atmosphere and historic sites made it a great place to be.
2. Cedartown, Georgia
In March 2023, the crew moved to Cedartown. The quiet streets and old buildings in this small-town made for great backgrounds for intimate scenes that captured the feel of America in the 1940s.
3. Tennessee city of Chattanooga
Train scenes were filmed at Chattanooga’s Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum—made the movie’s wartime setting seem more real. The old trains at the museum helped show how people got around during World War II.
United Kingdom Filming Locations;
4. Bradford, West Yorkshire, England
The filming took place mostly in Bradford’s Little Germany neighborhood. The area was used as European cities during the war and is known for its Victorian architecture. To fit the battalion’s environment, streets like Cater Street, Currer Street, Peckover Street, and Scoresby Street were changed. Producer Sharon Busse carefully re-created King Edward’s School, which is where the women lived and worked.
5. Museum of the Imperial War Duxford, England, in Cambridgeshire
Key scenes took place in front of the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, which has a military theme. The museum’s collection of planes and other items from World War II helped make the movie more historically accurate. This is where scenes that needed real military settings were filmed.
6. Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England
More filming in Cambridge captured the mood of the war. The historic sites in the city gave the movie’s story of the battalion’s journey more depth and realism.
There were a lot of emotional links to the past during the production process. During filming, people in the area donated historical items, such as Captain Charity Adams‘s own trunk full of personal items. These moments helped the cast and crew remember; how important the movie was and what a legacy they were honoring.
Perry cared about the story so much that he chose to film on location in Europe to give the movie a real feel of the Battalion’s journey. Because of this, the movie was more than just a historical drama; it was also a moving tribute to these heroes who don’t get enough credit.
The Six Triple Eight not only draws attention to the amazing things the 6888th Battalion has done, but it also makes you think about people, strength and the power of connection in a bigger way. Tyler Perry and his team made a movie that inspires people and keeps an important piece of history alive by telling the stories of these women who have never been told before. It has carefully chosen locations, characters that have been researched in great detail and an emotional plot.
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