In the 1930 film "All Quiet on the Western Front", Ben Alexander as Franz Kemmerich wakes up in the hospital and finds one of his legs missing. He has lost it in the war. His lost is understandable; the trench warfare was brutal and unforgiving.

"All Quiet on the Western Front" is a World War I film about a German veteran (Lew Ayres as Paul Bäumer). The film describes the German soldiers' extreme physical and mental stress during the war. It talks about the detachment many soldiers face in civilian life once they return home from the front.

Kemmerich is the first soldier whose death is detailed in the film. He is just barely alive; his body functions are limited. Kemmerich's last hours in the hospital make a huge impression on Paul. Kemmerich will let his friends know that he's becoming an expert on the process of dying.

Kemmerich's dialogue consists of lamenting the fact that someone has stolen his watch and complaining of pain in his foot. He does not realize that his leg has been amputated. His pals show him compassion in not telling him. They also know that he'll only need one boot. The boots he loves will be given to a soldier in need after he dies. When Kemmerich does die, he is in great pain, crying. His bed and boots get quickly and efficiently recycled.

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