During WWII, a historic battalion became the first women to serve in a U.S war, making history and saving their compatriots by delivering crucial supplies to the front lines. This is their story.
In the brief but passionate trailer, an Army general (Kerry Washington) delivers an inspiring speech to the 638 battalion of women during WWII. As the women march through a destroyed city, the general impresses to them the importance of their mission, and the history they will make by serving their country during war time.
The trailer is interspersed with various vignettes of the US war effort, and the 638’s harrowing journey to deliver supplies to their fellow countrymen.
Veteran director Tyler Perry may have cut his teeth on juvenile comedy, but he often shines brightest when focusing his directorial lens on the African-American experience (comedically or otherwise). And Perry’s cinematic eye has never felt sharper or more epic. He imbues each shot of the Six Three Eight with dignity and gravitas, while never making things feel overly cheesy or jingoistic. You can sense the creator’s love for this underseen part of history in every sense of the frame.
The talented cast certainly helps. While we don’t see much of an ensemble besides the reliably talented Kerry Washington, the brief flashes of acting sell the brutality of war perfectly while making a suitably epic story. If Netflix can stick the landing on this new twist of a wartime epic, they may have just landed a late-stage Oscar contender. It’s an old school prestige film dressed up for a generation looking for new perspectives on classic eras of history, and judging by the 1st trailer, it looks set to deliver.
Directed by Tyler Perry, The Six Triple Eight will release on Netflix in the US on December 20, 2024. The movie stars Kerry Washington in the lead role.
Does content like this matter to you?
Become a Member and support film journalism. Unlock access to all of Film Inquiry`s great articles. Join a community of like-minded readers who are passionate about cinema - get access to our private members Network, give back to independent filmmakers, and more.