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The Formula

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The Formula

R

Released Dec 19, 1980

1h 57m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

20%

Tomatometer

10 Reviews

23%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

While investigating the death of a friend and fellow cop, Los Angeles police officer Barney Caine (George C. Scott) stumbles across evidence that Nazis created a synthetic alternative to gasoline during World War II. This revelation has the potential to end the established global oil industry, making the formula a very valuable and dangerous piece of information. Eventually, Caine must contend with oil tycoon Adam Steiffel (Marlon Brando), who clearly has his own agenda regarding the formula.

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Tom Milne

Time Out

Laborious

Jan 26, 2006

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

its completely muddled plot is a disaster: There can be no joy in unraveling a plot that is a mystery even to itself.

Rated: 2/4

Oct 23, 2004

Full Review

Janet Maslin

New York Times

The murder scene is littered with so many red herrings it might as well be a delicatessen.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 30, 2004

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a progressively underwhelming endeavor...

Rated: 1/4

Apr 6, 2025

Full Review

Paul Brenner

Filmcritic.com

plays like a tedious checklist of murders without a score card.

Rated: 2/5

Jan 25, 2009

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Only Marlon Brando in a small role as a daffy oil tycoon gives the film some spark.

Rated: C+

Aug 30, 2008

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Audience Member

A bit slow... good plot, if a bit convoluted.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Interesting very well acted talky movie. The plot is pretty good spy, murder mystery, paranoia about big brother and how greed corrupts. The movie suffers from over talking and being a little to subtle instead of getting to the point. So it is over long considering the end and could’ve used a trimming of a good 20 minutes. The acting is top notch. Watching George C. Scott in fine form is always a joy and he definitely carries the movie. Brando plays an interesting character that is quite chilling in its comedic delivery. Just wished the movie moved faster. All in all a nice watch though.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/04/19

Full Review

Bernard K

Good story, excellent photography, good actors!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/24/18

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Audience Member

with Scott and Brando in the cast this Nazi fiction should be better but would be a gr8 dbl feature with the superior 'the boys from Brazil"

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

ashley h

The Formula is a decent film. It is about a detective uncovers a formula that was devised by the Nazis in WW II to make gasoline from synthetic products. Marlon Brando and George C. Scott give good performances. The screenplay is a little slow in places. John G. Avildsen did an alright job directing this movie. I liked this motion picture because of the drama and mystery.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Brando was still brilliant even when he lost his passion for the craft. His attention to detail, and 'being' in the moment is inspiring.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

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John G. Avildsen

Director

George C. Scott

Lt. Barney Caine LAPD

Marlon Brando

Adam Steiffel

Marthe Keller

Lisa Spangler

John Van Dreelen

Hans Lehman

Calvin Jung

Sergeant Louis Yosuta LAPD Tactical Squad

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Synopsis

While investigating the death of a friend and fellow cop, Los Angeles police officer Barney Caine (George C. Scott) stumbles across evidence that Nazis created a synthetic alternative to gasoline during World War II. This revelation has the potential to end the established global oil industry, making the formula a very valuable and dangerous piece of information. Eventually, Caine must contend with oil tycoon Adam Steiffel (Marlon Brando), who clearly has his own agenda regarding the formula.

Director: John G. Avildsen
Producer: Steve Shagan
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, CIP
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 19, 1980, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 6, 2017
Runtime: 1h 57m

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