IMDb > The Formula (1980)
The Formula
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The Formula (1980) More at IMDbPro »

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The Formula (1980) -- Trailer for this mystery starring George C. Scott and Marlon Brando

Overview

User Rating:
5.4/10   938 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Steve Shagan (novel)
Steve Shagan (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Formula on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
19 December 1980 (USA) more
Genre:
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... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 4 nominations more
User Comments:
The oil business more (23 total)

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
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Die Formel (West Germany)
more
Runtime:
117 min
Country:
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

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. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Barney and Lisa travel by train through Switzerland, the train, as seen from the outside, changes between shots. more
Quotes:
Barney Caine: You're not in the oil business; you're in the oil shortage business! more
Movie Connections:
References Little Caesar (1931) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
8 out of 11 people found the following comment useful.
The oil business, 6 October 1999
8/10
Author: nra from Sharonville, Ohio

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.

Was the above comment useful to you?
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
more

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