The Formula (1980)
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30% of critics liked it
(10 reviews) -
24% of users liked it
(984 ratings)
With George C. Scott and Marlon Brando heading the cast, The Formula should have been far better than it is. Adapted by Steve Shagan from his own best-selling novel, the film is predicated on the concept that a formula for synthetic fuel had been developed by the Nazis during WW II. In the… More With George C. Scott and Marlon Brando heading the cast, The Formula should have been far better than it is. Adapted by Steve Shagan from his own best-selling novel, the film is predicated on the concept that a formula for synthetic fuel had been developed by the Nazis during WW II. In the intervening 35 years since the war's end, the formula has disappeared and several people connected with it have died under mysterious circumstances. Also during this period, oil magnate Adam Steiffel (Marlon Brando) had commiserated with one of the decedents. Police officer Barney Caine (George C. Scott), a friend of the dead man, hopes to solve the mystery, and in so doing gets mixed up in a wide-ranging conspiracy to manipulate worldwide fuel prices. Reportedly, The Formula underwent a great deal of editing-room surgery before its release. If so, the editors certainly erred in retaining so many of the film's interminable "steadicam" sequences. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- John G. Avildsen
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
- In Theaters
- Dec 19, 1980 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Tom Milne, Time Out
Laborious
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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.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
The murder scene is littered with so many red herrings it might as well be a delicatessen.
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Paul Brenner, Filmcritic.com
plays like a tedious checklist of murders without a score card.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Only Marlon Brando in a small role as a daffy oil tycoon gives the film some spark.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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George C. Scott
as Barney Caine
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Marthe Keller
as Lisa
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Marlon Brando
as Adam Steiffel
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John Van Dreelen
as Hans Lehman
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John Gielgud
as Dr. Esau
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Calvin Jung
as Sgt. Yosuta
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G.D. Spradlin
as Clements
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Beatrice Straight
as Kay Neeley
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Richard Lynch
as Kladen/Tedesco
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Robin Clarke
as Maj. Neeley
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Ike Eisenmann
as Tony
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Alan North
as Nolan
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Ferdinand "Ferdy" Mayne
as Siebold
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Gerry Murphy
as Chauffer
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David Byrd
as Obermann
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Wolfgang Preiss
as Franz Tauber
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Martin Brandt
as Concierge (German)
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Jim Breuer
as Security Guard
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Albert Carrier
as Butler
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Stephanie Edwards
as Reporter
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Reinhard Kolldehoff
as Reimeck
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Werner Kreindl
as Schellenberg
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Ric Mancini
as Printman
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Craig T. Nelson
as Geologist #2
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Jan Niklas
as Gestapo Captain
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Lavelle Roby
as Secretary
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Marshall Thompson
as Geologist
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Dieter Schidor
as Assassin
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Ernie Fuentes
as Pool Man
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Tom Hall
as Reporter
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Louis Basile
as Vince Rizzo
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Weston Gavin
as U.S. Army Captain
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Herb Voland
as Geologist #3