10 Saddest Character Deaths In Movie History

"Based on a true story" is all too often a byword for "completely made up", but there are some exceptions, not least the incredibly moving story of Rocky Dennis, who suffered from an extremely rare condition known as craniodiaphyseal dysplasia, a bone disorder which usually kills people in childhood.

Rocky Dennis fought the odds and grew up to become a teenager in 1970s America, and Eric Stoltz's portayal of his life is a sensitive and honest attempt to understand how someone with such a disfigurement leads their life and try to fit in. Peter Bogdanovich captures the sense of hope perfectly, while the element of realism which permeates the film adds a layer of depth.

This being a biopic we know the outcome before the film begins, but Rocky's death is no less saddening. Thanks to a touching performance from Stoltz and an award-winning turn from Cher as his erratic mother, Mask's denoument is a reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of making the most of it.