Entertainment

Over 900 music fans have voted to shape these rankings of the best music biopics of all time. With its unique blend of documentary and drama, a great music biopic can transport you into the world of your favorite artist - their struggles, successes, and everything in between.

From the Ray Charles&#39;s&nbsp;Ray&nbsp;to Johnny Cash&#39;s Walk The Line, some of cinema&#39;s most memorable films have been based on real-life musicians. It takes real skill for filmmakers to capture an artist&rsquo;s essence while keeping them grounded in reality, but when they succeed it results in cinematic magic - moments that stay with us long after the credits roll.

For those who want a more accurate portrait than fiction can provide, there are plenty of documentaries about famous musicians available too. Whether it&#39;s Queen or Elton John that you&#39;re interested in learning more about, this list has something for everyone.&nbsp;So why not take a look at our ranking and see which music biopics come out on top? Then be sure to vote up your favorites so they rise even higher.

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The Best Music Biopics Of All Time

Film

Ranking The Best Music Biopics Ever Made

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Lists about the family, life, and tragic end of one of America's most popular and controversial figures, 35th President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963).

The Rise and Fall of Camelot

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Since an older generation <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kennedy-family-tree-2236644">immigrated to the US</a> from Ireland in the 1840s, the Kennedy family has developed into arguably the most prominent political dynasty of the country. Dubbed America's royal family, their wealth, style, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/dark-kennedy-family-stories/lyra-radford">tragedies, and scandals</a> have long captivated the public, particularly after the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy cemented their “Camelot” mythology.Of course, it also doesn't hurt that many of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/members-of-the-kennedy-family/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Kennedy family members</a> aren't bad to look at. Ranked <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/hottest-us-presidents/carly-kiel">the no. 1 hottest US president</a> (as of 2024), JFK is one mere example of the Kennedy family's historically attractive legacy. Many Kennedy descendants have wed other beautiful celebrities (some of these non-blood Kennedys included on this list like Katherine Eunice Schwarzenegger), which has only upped the pulchritude of the gene pool. Some, like Jack Schlossberg (JFK's only grandson) draw comparisons to other immortalized family faces, in this case JFK Jr., Schlossberg's late uncle.So, say what you want about the Kennedys and their politics, their personalities, their accomplishments, and their misdeeds. Love them or hate them, you can still partake in some simple appreciation of good-looking faces. While there are a lot of Kennedy descendants to sort through as of 2024, the collection rounds up some of the most notable hotties of the family for your perusal and consideration. You may not get the privileges and perks of being a Kennedy in day-to-day life, but in this list, the power's all yours. Have your say on which Kennedy family members are easiest on the eyes.

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The Hottest Kennedy Family Members, Ranked

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Elle Tharp

Look: There are hundred of thousands of movies out there for you to watch. All we're saying is that these are the ones you should put at the top of your list.

Greatest and Favorite Movies

Looking closer at movies, TV shows, and even characters based on and "inspired by" reality.

Based on a True Story

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Cinema has long been attracted to stories of real people, and biopics have found their place in the hearts of moviegoers for generations. The best “real” biopics offer glimpses into the lives of notable individuals, revealing their struggles, accomplishments, and personal journeys. By immersing audiences in these eclectic stories, these movies shed light on human nature and celebrate the resilience of the human spirit.&nbsp;Biopics about real people - from historical figures to renowned entertainers - explore the characters, ideologies, and stories that formed the essence of the subjects' lives. These movies go beyond mere documentaries, instead presenting viewers with intimate portrayals of the protagonists, often lending a deeper understanding of their motivations and the intricate complexities of their lives. By doing so, biographical films offer an invaluable window into the experiences and emotions of these exceptional individuals.&nbsp;Each biographical film carves its own niche, and they tell about the fascinating lives of extraordinary individuals from all walks of life. For instance, Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List paints a harrowing picture of World War II, highlighting the selfless acts of Oskar Schindler in saving the lives of over a thousand Jewish refugees. Similarly, Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas takes a bold look into the underworld, chronicling the rise and fall of mobster Henry Hill, while James Mangold's Walk the Line provides insights into the tumultuous life of legendary musician Johnny Cash. These powerful biographical movies offer audiences a taste of the vast spectrum of real-life stories that have left lasting impressions on history and culture.&nbsp;Biographical films serve up genuine human experiences that continue to fascinate and inspire generations of moviegoers. With each new addition to the genre, viewers are offered a chance to visit extraordinary individuals and unravel the complexities that lie beneath the surface. As such, the best biopics about real people not only entertain but also enrich audiences with profound insights into the human condition

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The Best Biopics To Watch About Real People

The 100+ Best Biopics Of All Time, Ranked By Fans

Empress Elisabeth of Austria

Elisabeth of Austria&nbsp;was one of the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/greatest-warrior-queens-in-history/carly-silver" target="_blank">most powerful monarchs</a> of the 19th century. Remarkably beautiful, Elisabeth, nicknamed Sisi, defied Austrian court traditions. She traveled often and became a beloved figure in both Austria and Hungary.&nbsp;Elisabeth was very concerned with her looks; she engaged in strange beauty rituals and aggressive exercise routines. Elisabeth's iconoclastic ways resulted in&nbsp;her bizarre death at the hands of an anarchist.

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The Tragic Life Of Elisabeth Of Austria

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Phil Gibbons

Have you ever watched a movie with a good story and been shocked to find out it's based on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/crime-scenes-movies/lyra-radford">real-life events</a>? Knowing a fictional story is based in reality makes the twists and turns of the movie seem even more incredible. However, there are probably a lot more <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-movies-loosely-based-on-true-stories/ranker-film?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">movies based on real people</a> than you realized.Classics like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/sound-of-music-true-story/erin-mccann">The Sound of Music</a>, Goodfellas, and even Chicago were based on real-life people. Some of these films closely follow a memoir or news stories, while others take bits and pieces of the true story and add new aspects to make it more theatrical. For example, many films include additional plotlines, such as a love story, to make it more interesting for viewers.All the movies included in this list were somehow inspired by real-life people and/or events. Some of the creators were very open about what inspired them while others don't often share that information, leaving many people shocked when they find out the true story behind the film.

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Movies You Didn't Know Were Based On Real People

The 16 Movies Surprisingly Based On Real People, Ranked

Molly Weinfurter

Lists about period between the 15th and 18th centuries, when worldwide exploration, colonialism, and mercantilism brought the first periods of globalization.

The Age of Discovery

Lists of fascinating facts and lesser-known details about the lives of people whose names you learned in History class (or should have).

Down in History

Christopher Columbus

Columbus Day has become an occasion not just to celebrate the first steps toward founding America, but a time to re-examine what we know about the famed explorer. The accomplishments of Christopher Columbus are myriad and well-known, but much of his life's story, as well as his subsequent voyages to the Americas, is lost in mythos and misconception. While he did in fact &quot;sail the ocean blue&quot; in 1492, the biography of Christopher Columbus is filled with obscure facts and historical oddities that never make it into any school nursery rhyme - or even into many textbooks. Many people still believe that Columbus set out from Spain to prove the Earth was round - but we know he didn't. We also believe he made peaceful contact with the natives of what he thought was India - but he didn't, and he actually believed he'd reached the mythical land of Japan.Could he have even made it there? What about his other trips to the New World? Or his revisionist reputation for brutality and cruel treatment of the natives? Here are some facts about Columbus that, despite decades of re-examination, most people don't know.

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Christopher Columbus Facts They Don't Teach in School

20 Christopher Columbus Facts They Didn't Teach You In School

Mike Rothschild

History

Hollywood loves a good biopic. But many of the same stories get told over and over again - think of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/who-was-henry-viii/carly-silver">Henry VIII</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/lincoln-assassination-facts/setareh-janda">Abraham Lincoln</a> - even though there are plenty of lesser-known, unsung <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://m.ranker.com/list/people-who-should-have-biopics/matthewcoleweiss">historical figures who deserve a movie</a> about their lives, too.Just because a&nbsp;historical figure may not be widely known doesn't mean their story isn't worth telling. In fact, films are a great&nbsp;- if not strictly accurate - way to&nbsp;introduce&nbsp;people to lesser-known figures. That's certainly true of movies like&nbsp;Hidden Figures,&nbsp;Ammonite, and&nbsp;The Imitation Game, which helped 21st-century folks get to know historical figures Katherine Johnson, Mary Anning, and Alan Turing.Similarly, the people on this list should have their stories told, too. From <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/adrian-de-carton-wiart-unkillable-soldier/setareh-janda">soldiers who exemplified military chutzpah</a> to writers who demonstrated that the pen is mightier than the sword, these historical figures lived epic&nbsp;lives that would be compelling fodder for biopics.

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16 Lesser-Known Historical Figures Who Deserve Their Own Biopic

Setareh Janda

Since the dawn of civilization, a lot of important things have happened. Here are lists of about the many winding routes we took to get where we are today.

Historical Contexts

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Wild Facts

The chain of command and obeying orders are two concepts that are essential to military success. But military history is still full of people who disobeyed orders. Armies are made up of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/adrian-de-carton-wiart-unkillable-soldier/setareh-janda" target="_blank">individuals</a>, and regardless of the time period or culture, there are always people who buck the system.&nbsp;

The reasons soldiers have disobeyed are as varied as the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/unusual-military-units/jim-rowley" target="_blank">world&#39;s militaries themselves</a>. Many have refused commands that they personally found objectionable, like Col. Raoul Berube, the WWI commander who refused to fire on his troops for their perceived cowardice. With others, like Union General Daniel Sickles in the Civil War, their reasons had more to do with their own glory. And sometimes,&nbsp;soldiers have disobeyed because their&nbsp;orders were too cautious,&nbsp;as Australian Lt. Thomas Derrick did during the Battle of Sattelberg in 1943.

Here are some times people disregarded orders -&nbsp;and changed history along the way.

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11 Times People Disregarded Orders And Changed History

Jim Rowley

Historical Figures

Whether&nbsp;a simple shortening of someone&#39;s given name or a way of describing a person&#39;s personality or behavior, nicknames have been a part of cultures all over the world for centuries. And no matter whether someone is a&nbsp;historical figure&nbsp;or not, a nickname can be&nbsp;flattering or scathing, funny or serious, obvious or surprising.&nbsp;

The historical figures below were tagged with nicknames that ranged from &quot;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-roman-emperor-facts/pierce-nahigyan" target="_blank">Little Boots</a>&quot; and &quot;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-george-s-patton-facts/mallory-weiler" target="_blank">The Green Hornet</a>&quot; to &quot;The Black Swallow of Death&quot; and &quot;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/biggest-badasses-in-history/chase-christy" target="_blank">The Boneless</a>.&quot; Of the nicknames listed below, which would you prefer to be remembered by for the rest of time?

Stories Behind Historical Nicknames That Totally Surprised Us

TGWrites

If you come at the king, you’d best not miss, and if you do succeed, you’d better be ready to look over your shoulder for the rest of your days. Even when a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/why-do-military-coups-happen/megan-summers">conspiracy to topple a king</a> actually succeeds, that doesn’t mean things worked out for the perpetrators. Regicide often comes with unforeseen costs.&nbsp;This collection looks at the times when historical backstabbers got way more than they bargained for.&nbsp;

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10 Historical Backstabs That Backfired Big Time

M. Muir

Biopics

There are many biopics that have been made about athletes and the world of sports. <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-sports-to-play/ranker-sports?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">What are the best sports</a> biopic movies? This list includes titles such as A League of their Own, Chariots of Fire, Brian’s Song and Cinderella Man. Men and women have voted on the films below to rank the best sports biopics.Movies have the ability to make us feel. They make us want to believe, be inspired, and live vicariously through the stories we see on screen. Sports have the ability to to the same and often we are enchanted about the lives of our sports heroes. Movies that tell the story of Ernie James, Jake Lamotta, Muhammed Ali, and James Braddock are all incredibly fascinating, tumultuous, and inspiring.It is with a peek into the lives of these individuals that we can understand their motives and drives that helped them become the greatest of their time. By understanding sport’s greatest, we will hopefully take some of that inspiration into our own lives. These movies vary in their genre but they all equally fascinating.Vote up the greatest sports biopic movies ever made below or add on you think is great that isn't already on the list.

Mens Lifestyle

The Best Athlete Biopics

Best Athlete Biopics | List of the Best Biopics About Athletes

Lists about some of the most extraordinary women who made history, forever changing the world and how we see it.

Well-Behaved Women

Lists about the first ladies who have reached America's highest status (for women) — being married to the President — from Martha Washington to Hillary Clinton to Melania Trump. 

FLOTUS: America's Mom

Who are those people who lived in the White House, making appearances and speeches and promises and mistakes? To understand them, you must get to know the spouses, children, and even siblings of U.S. Presidents, past and present. 

The First Family

Julia Gardiner Tyler

Before the revolutionary Eleanor Roosevelt or the glamorous Jackie O, there was Julia Gardiner Tyler, the second wife of President John Tyler. Despite the fact she became First Lady in the 1800s -&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/different-waves-of-feminism-and-what-they-mean/rylee_en">a stifling and oppressive era for women</a> - Julia Gardiner Tyler was bold, brazen, and fabulous. The wild side of Tyler's young bride was much gossiped about, but rather than letting the headlines dictate her life, Tyler dictated the headlines. She branded herself into the first celebrity First Lady through her opulent and dramatic lifestyle. She was the opposite of modesty in a time where women were meant to be modest to the core.&nbsp;Wild stories about Julia Gardiner Tyler make her one of the most scandalous first ladies in history. She was a strong, independent woman who did what she wanted when she wanted. These facts about Julia Gardiner Tyler and her unconventional life might make her story even more interesting that that of her husband.&nbsp;

Weird American History

16 Facts About Julia Tyler, The Most Controversial First Lady of the 1800s

16 Facts About Julia Gardiner Tyler, A Scandalous First Lady

Unscripted

History is fascinating for those who thrive on stories and storytelling; after all, what is history but a series of stories woven together to create one lengthy, elaborate narrative?&nbsp;More often than not, however, history is exaggerated through the foggy lenses of time, bias, and lost chapters. One element of global history that is frequently aggrandized is the passing of historical figures.&nbsp;Morbid curiosity and false information can overdramatize &ndash; or in some cases completely fabricate &ndash; these tales, which can lead to at best inaccurate and at worst disrespectful misunderstandings of history.&nbsp;

These misunderstandings are often&nbsp;inextricably tied to popular conceptions about the person&#39;s life. A figure known for brutality such as Genghis Khan&nbsp;will most likely have a legacy suffused with trauma, and this pattern will particularly manifest in stories surrounding his demise. This karmic understanding of death can also be found in the legacies of those known for more benevolent livelihoods, such as Walt Disney. The infamous urban legend of his posthumous freezing may have perpetuated for so long because, subconsciously, many wished for the possibility that he will someday be revived.&nbsp;

Whether these stories are mere exaggerations or outright inventions of pop culture, the true endings of these famous figures are, for the most part, readily accessible through basic research. Perhaps these falsified tales persist because of genuine lack of knowledge, or perhaps people just like to indulge in more interesting stories than those which history often provides.

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12 Historical Figures Whose Deaths Were Outrageously Exaggerated

12 Historical Figures Whose Deaths Are Greatly Exaggerated

Stephan Roget

Elizabeth I of England

Queen Elizabeth I was not just one of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/most-enlightened-leaders-in-world-history/mike-rothschild" target="_blank">most significant rulers in English history</a> - she was also an amazing queen who defied expectations. Even within the storied English monarchy, Elizabeth stands out. She proved to the early modern world that women could be exceptional rulers.

The England that Elizabeth inherited in 1558 was a troubled one. Her father, Henry VIII, had done what no other monarch&nbsp;had done before him -&nbsp;he expanded the monarchy by breaking with the Catholic Church and making England a Protestant country. That religious rupture with Europe had profound effects and led to conflicts between Catholics and Protestants. Torn apart by instability, England badly needed a strong ruler to steer the direction of its future. After&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/british-monarchy-history-causes-of-death/info-lists" target="_blank">her father&#39;s passing</a>&nbsp;and a number of short-lived successors,&nbsp;Elizabeth took&nbsp;the throne. Elizabeth - a young woman who was never supposed to be queen -&nbsp;was up to the task.

In her 44 years on the throne, she helped bring peace, stability, confidence, and wealth to her people. She charted a middle way in politics and religion and ensured that England remained independent in the face of turmoil on the European continent. Under Elizabeth&rsquo;s leadership, England&rsquo;s maritime destiny was laid out&nbsp;and explorers dipped their toes into the so-called New World.

To this day, Elizabeth remains a standout in the British royal family and deserves her <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/the-all-time-greatest-people-in-history/alan-smithee?ref=also_ranked&amp;pos=1&amp;a=0&amp;ltype=n&amp;l=2239085&amp;g=1" target="_blank">place in history as one of the greatest</a>.

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Why Queen Elizabeth I Was The Most Hardcore Ruler England Has Ever Seen

Why Elizabeth I Was a Badass Queen

Why Queen Elizabeth I Was The Most Badass Ruler England Has Ever Seen

Get to know the fascinating family headed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and comprised of her four children, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren—some of whom may someday become the King of England.

The Royal Family

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother

Many remember Queen Elizabeth II&#39;s&nbsp;mother as an affectionate parent who patiently, cheerfully stood by her daughter through thick and thin. But the life of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/queen-mother-small-poignant-details/gordon-cameron" target="_blank">Queen Elizabeth</a> the Queen Mother was a lot more colorful than most people knew. Both as a queen in her own right and eventually as a royal mother, Elizabeth became one of the most beloved - yet polarizing - Windsors in history.

Born on August 4, 1900, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was a member of one of Scotland&#39;s most illustrious noble families. In 1923, <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/who-married-into-the-british-royal-family/setareh-janda" target="_blank">she married Prince Albert</a>,&nbsp;second son of King George V. But when Albert&#39;s older brother abdicated the throne to&nbsp;marry <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/facts-about-wallis-simpson-mistress-prince-edward-abdication/setareh-janda" target="_blank">the love of his life</a>, the royal spotlight pivoted to Bowes-Lyon&nbsp;and her husband.&nbsp;

Suddenly, the fate of the monarchy rested on their shoulders, and&nbsp;they&nbsp;became&nbsp;King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain. After leading the country through World War II, George VI tragically died in 1952, and Bowes-Lyon&nbsp;went from the Queen to the Queen Mother, as her eldest daughter inherited the throne and became <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-queen-of-england-facts/carly-silver" target="_blank">Queen Elizabeth II</a>.

Though remembered as a grandmotherly figure&nbsp;to the United Kingdom, Bowes-Lyon&nbsp;wasn&#39;t always the cheery, loyal, and steady royal mum of popular imagination. In fact, her biography revealed a far more interesting - and controversial - story that has earned her both fans and detractors.

Elizabeth II's Mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, Was As Feared As She Was Loved

Elizabeth II's Mother Was As Feared As She Was Loved

The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality test is designed to indicate psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions.

Celebrity Myers-Briggs Types

Explainer

Introverted or extroverted, sensitive or intuitive. Thinking or feeling, judging or perceiving.&nbsp;Everyone falls somewhere on the Myers-Briggs personality spectrum, and the same is true for historical personalities. Looking at the MBTI type of famous historical figures allows us to speculate on how the likes of emperors, playwrights, and activists might align with contemporary personality profiling.For instance, Napoleon Bonaparte is often classified as an ENTJ, a type characterized by strategic thinking and a decisive nature—traits that certainly seem to echo his ambitious military campaigns and leadership style. On the other hand, the introspective and imaginative nature of an INFP fits well with William Shakespeare, whose rich contributions to literature reveal deep emotional understanding and creativity. Meanwhile, Malcolm X, known for his powerful and pragmatic approach to social activism, embodies the ESTP type, recognized for its entrepreneurial spirit and dynamic presence that drives action and change.To see where other historical luminaries fall on this personality spectrum, check out the list of MBTI character types and historical figures that fit the bill below. This integration of history and modern psychology opens up intriguing discussions about how innate traits might have influenced the paths of those who shaped our world.

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16 Historical Figures & Their Myers-Briggs Personality Types

The Myers-Briggs Personality Types of 16 Historical Figures

Genevieve Carlton

Historical Figures lists at Ranker - The ultimate source for hundreds of historical figures lists and rankings

Historical Figures lists on Ranker

Adolf Hitler

Daniel Camargo Barbosa

Josef Fritzl

When discussing the worst people in history, it's a somber reflection on the depths of human evil. From tyrants to serial killers, these figures have left indelible marks on the world through their heinous actions. While the term "worst" might be subjective, there's no denying the immense impact these individuals have had on countless lives and historical events.Consider Adolf Hitler, the man behind the atrocities of the Holocaust and the driving force of World War II. His actions led to the suffering and death of millions. Then there's Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the architect of the September 11 attacks, whose plans caused one of the most devastating terror attacks in modern history. Dennis Rader, infamously known as the BTK Killer, haunted Wichita, Kansas for decades with his gruesome murders, embodying the kind of evil only seen in horror films.Curious to know where these terrible people rank among their peers? Scroll through our list and cast your vote on who you believe are the most evil individuals to have ever lived. Engage with this eye-opening compilation and help shape the understanding of bad people in history who have, unfortunately, left their dark legacies behind.