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The Formula (1980)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
19 December 1980 (USA)
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Tagline:
In a world starved for energy, no secret is more valuable. more
Plot:
A detective uncovers a formula that was devised by the Nazis in WW II to make gasoline from synthetic products...
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Plot Keywords:
Oil Company
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Oil
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Gasoline
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Library
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Horse Track
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Awards:
Nominated for Oscar.
Another 4 nominations
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User Comments:
The oil business
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Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | George C. Scott | ... | Lt. Barney Caine LAPD |
 | Marlon Brando | ... | Adam Steiffel, Chairman Titan Oil |
 | Marthe Keller | ... | Lisa Spangler |
 | John Gielgud | ... | Dr. Abraham Esau, Director Reich Energy |
 | G.D. Spradlin | ... | Arthur Clements |
| Beatrice Straight | ... | Kay Neeley |
| Richard Lynch | ... | General Helmut Kladen / Frank Tedesco |
| John Van Dreelen | ... | Hans Lehman, Prefect of Police Berlin |
| Robin Clarke | ... | Major Tom Neeley |
 | Ike Eisenmann | ... | Tony |
| Marshall Thompson | ... | Geologist #1 |
| Dieter Schidor | ... | Assassin |
| Werner Kreindl | ... | Schellenberg |
 | Jan Niklas | ... | Gestapo Captain |
| Wolfgang Preiss | ... | Franz Tauber, Swiss businessman |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Die Formel (West Germany)
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Parents Guide:
Runtime:
117 min
Country:
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Marlon Brando told Lawrence Grobel ("Conversations with Brando") that this film, which he only made for the money as he was broke, was ruined in the editing room, with the humor of his scenes cut out.
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Goofs:
Continuity: When Barney and Lisa travel by train through Switzerland, the train, as seen from the outside, changes between shots.
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Quotes:
Barney Caine:
You're not in the oil business; you're in the oil shortage business!
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Movie Connections:
References Little Caesar (1931)
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (23 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Formula (1980)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| Totally Underrated..... | concord_trimming |
| Technical first? | tcliffton |
| Formula no secret | SeldonRL |
| Strip Club Scene | nygfan |
| Brando's teeth... | kegan-3 |
| Bill Conti's music | john-wheat |
Recommendations
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With two screen giants such as George C. Scott and Marlon Brando (even in a cameo), this film is worth seeing. One line from the film that has stuck with me is from Scott to Brando, "You're not in the oil business, you're in the oil shortage business." How true.