Warning: There are spoilers ahead for The Six Triple Eight.
Tyler Perry addresses whether the salute at the end ofThe Six Triple Eightactually happened. The Perry-directed movietells the story of the 6888th battalion, the only all-Black and all-female unit to serve overseas during World War II. They sorted through millions of pieces of mail that had been backlogged for years in less than 90 days, ensuring the mail finally reached the intended recipients. DuringThe Six Triple Eight’s ending, when the battalion’s members return from the war, they are saluted and cheered on by white male soldiers, who are grateful for their invaluable contributions.
While speaking withToday,Perry revealed that the women of the 6888th battalion were not saluted when they returned, emphasizing that their recognition did not come until many years later. He explained that this is a creative liberty he took to represent that all 855 of the women should have been recognized and celebrated. Read Perry’s explanation below:
That salute didn’t happen. It didn’t happen until many, many, many years later. So the liberty that I took at the end was having every one of them be saluted. They all are saluted as they walk in because they represent all 855 to me. And you see them walking through this door into a new life, into a new future.
In a separate interview withEntertainment Weekly, Perry discusses how, in addition to not being recognized, the 6888th battalion’s members did not talk about their heroism because of the rumors that had been spread about them.
That didn’t happen. They weren’t celebrated. Most of them were ashamed that they had been in the military; not because of what they had done, but because of the rumors that were spread about them — that the only reason they were sent to Europe was to be concubines for the Black soldiers. There was shame. A lot of their own children didn’t even know they served. They never even talked about it.
What This Means For The Six Triple Eight
Adding In The Salute Enhances The Ending
Perry’s explanationadds further weight toThe Six Triple Eight’s ending. There is footage of the real Lena Derriecott King at the end of the film explaining that the 6888th battalion’s hard work went unrecognized and that they were treated better in Europe than when they returned to the United States. Her remarks are more sobering given Perry’s explanation of why this was, revealing the depths of racism and misogyny contributing to the mistreatment they endured in the years after the war.
The Six Triple Eight Cast & Real-Life Character Guide
Tyler Perry’s The Six Triple Eight features an all-star cast who worked tremendously to bring the true story of the 6888th Battalion to the screen.
The Six Triple Eight’s true storyisa testament to Lena and all the unsung heroes of the 6888th battalionwho went unrecognized for far too long. While the past cannot be changed, it is a powerful symbolic gesture to see the movie’s Lena (Ebony Obsidian), Major Charity Adams (Kerry Washington), and other members saluted and cheered by soldiers outside their ranks. Such symbolism is more important than historical accuracy in this instance.
Our Take On Tyler Perry’s Comments
They Are A Reminder Of The Movie’s Larger Importance
WhileThe Six Triple Eight’s reviewshave been mixed, Perry’s comments are a reminder that the most important part of the movie is giving recognition to the women of the 6888th battalion. They reopened the lines of communication and boosted morale in the final year of the war. Thanks to them, soldiers and their loved ones heard from each other after an extended period of uncertainty and silence.Perry’s choice to have them saluted, even though it did not really happen, was the right decisionto help concludeThe Six Triple Eight’s story.
The Six Triple Eight
Cast
The Six Triple Eight is a World War II drama about the US Army’s all-Black, all-women battalion tasked with sorting a massive backlog of 17 million undelivered letters to American soldiers. They must complete the mission within six months, showcasing their resilience and crucial contributions during the war.
