Netflix: This war movie is inspired by an absolutely incredible true story

Little known to the general public, but a true superstar in the United States, Tyler Perry returns to us with his new film called Messengers of War. This biopic tells the little-known story of the 6888th African-American Women’s Battalion during World War II. For many years, the achievements of these brave women were forgotten from the history books.

When cinema takes us back to history

Cinema sometimes allows us to right this type of injustice. In France, the clearest example of this observation is the African rifleman mentioned in the film Indigènes. The success met by Rashid Bouchard convinced President Jacques Chirac to consider the treatment of veterans from Africa.

French-speaking gunners are unfortunately not the only forgotten ones from World War II. American history is also silent on the active participation of African-American soldiers in the conflict.

This question particularly inspired Spike Lee as the subject of his film Miracle in Santa Ana, which themes were later expanded upon in his feature film Da 5 Bloods on the Vietnam War.

Many, including some historians, are unaware of the existence of the 6888th Battalion, which is affiliated with the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. This unit of women of color nevertheless played an important role in the postal connection between soldiers stationed in France and their families who remained in the United States.

The desire to bring this little-known story to the screen

It took nearly sixty years for the members of this section to be properly honored. The battalion only joined the American Service Women’s Memorial at Arlington Military Cemetery in 2009, during the presidency of Barack Obama. Then another tribute was paid to them by Joe Biden.

“I was embarrassed to learn that it was a true story that I didn’t know”– director Tyler Perry told us. “To learn that not only did they serve in World War II, but they served in Europe and fought for our country, I thought that was a story that needed to be told.”

Shocked by this news, director Tyler Perry decided to dedicate the film to the brave women of the 6888th Battalion (Six Triple Eight, the original title of the feature film). The latter could rely on the support of Kerry Washington, who was chosen to play the role of Major Charity Adams Earle, but also as a producer of the project.

Very involved in the development of the film, the American actor was able to meet with the heirs of Major Adams. Then they gave all their trust to bring to the screen the story of their ancestor, but also of other members of the 6888th Battalion.

A biopic that wants to be very classic

More oriented towards a biopic than a war film, Messengers of War attempts to shed light on this little-known historical fact and also aims to give a face and voice to some of these women of unparalleled courage. This academic approach robs the feature film of any originality.

As such, Messengers of War caters more to history buffs than film buffs. While it all makes for good fun, there is no doubt that it will never enter the pantheon of the best war movies ever made. But her ambition was above all to honor these unfairly overlooked women, and in that sense it is a success.

Starring Sarah Jeffery, Ebony Obsidian and Milauna Jackson. The film also features Dean Norris and Oprah Winfrey in supporting roles (as African-American activist Mary McLeod Bethune) and Sam Waterston and Susan Sarandon as President Franklin Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor, respectively.

“What I loved about these big names in film was that they all came with the same feeling: How do we serve these women? Tyler Perry tells us.

Messengers of War can be seen on December 20th exclusively on Netflix.

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Tyler Perry comments collected by Megan Choquette