The Formula

The Formula (1980)

  • 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

R,
Directed By
Genres
Mystery & Suspense, Drama
In Theaters
Dec 19, 1980 Wide

Critic Reviews

  • Tom Milne, Time Out

    Laborious

  • 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.

  • Janet Maslin, New York Times

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

  • Paul Brenner, Filmcritic.com

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

  • Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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

Read all 7 critic reviews

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

  • AJ V


    I didn't think a movie staring two such great actors would be this boring, but wow, it could not keep my interest at all. Not even sure what the plot was supposed to be.

  • Bruce B


    This started out as a WWII Film and I was just sitting down and getting ready to enjoy what looked to be a somewhat promising war movie, when all of a sudden we were throw forward by a number of years. That was the first surprise. Anyway George C Scott plays a LA Cop who uncovers a… More

  • Mike T


    Even though he's being fed his lines through a visible hearing aid, Marlon Brando still pulls off an excellent performance that serves as the highlight of this flop. George C. Scott fights to pull a compelling character out of an essentially hollow protagonist, and he does a… More

  • Steve S


    In light of the current geo-political context, this film, while no intellectual breakthrough, is more relevant than ever.

Currently unavailable on Flixster

Also available on

Other Retailers

Not Available

Subscription Services

Not Available
Not Available
Not Available

Cast

See more (33)