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The Formula

Play trailer Poster for The Formula R,  1980,  1h 57m,  Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Stream Now Watchlist 20% 10 Reviews Tomatometer 22% 1,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
20% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 22% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
While investigating the death of a friend and fellow cop, Los Angeles police officer Barney Caine 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, who clearly has his own agenda regarding the formula.
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Critics Reviews

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Tom Milne Time Out Jan 26, 2006
Laborious Go to Full Review
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Oct 23, 2004
2/4
its completely muddled plot is a disaster: There can be no joy in unraveling a plot that is a mystery even to itself. Go to Full Review
Janet Maslin New York Times Aug 30, 2004
2/5
The murder scene is littered with so many red herrings it might as well be a delicatessen. Go to Full Review
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Apr 6, 2025
1/4
...a progressively underwhelming endeavor... Go to Full Review
Paul Brenner Filmcritic.com Jan 25, 2009
2/5
plays like a tedious checklist of murders without a score card. Go to Full Review
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Aug 30, 2008
C+
Only Marlon Brando in a small role as a daffy oil tycoon gives the film some spark. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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George R Jan 24, 2018 Good story, excellent photography, good actors!
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The Formula

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Formula

The Formula (1980) The Formula (1980) The Formula (1980) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis While investigating the death of a friend and fellow cop, Los Angeles police officer Barney Caine 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, 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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