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The Formula

  • 19801980
  • RR
  • 1h 57m
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
2.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
The Formula (1980)
Trailer for this mystery starring George C. Scott and Marlon Brando
Play trailer2:29
2 Videos
42 Photos
  • Crime
  • Thriller

The synthetic fuel production formula, invented by the Nazis at the end of World War II, is sought after by some who aim to sell it, and by others who wish to destroy it.The synthetic fuel production formula, invented by the Nazis at the end of World War II, is sought after by some who aim to sell it, and by others who wish to destroy it.The synthetic fuel production formula, invented by the Nazis at the end of World War II, is sought after by some who aim to sell it, and by others who wish to destroy it.

IMDb RATING
5.5/10
2.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • John G. Avildsen
  • Writer
    • Steve Shagan(novel)
  • Stars
    • George C. Scott
    • Marlon Brando
    • Marthe Keller
Top credits
  • Director
    • John G. Avildsen
  • Writer
    • Steve Shagan(novel)
  • Stars
    • George C. Scott
    • Marlon Brando
    • Marthe Keller
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 34User reviews
    • 17Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 7 nominations total

    Videos2

    The Formula (1980)
    Trailer 2:29
    The Formula (1980)
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 13
    Video 29:01
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 13

    Photos42

    "Formula, The" Marlon Brando
    Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor, and Glenn Ford in Julius Caesar (1953)
    Marlon Brando in The Formula (1980)
    Marlon Brando in The Formula (1980)
    G.D. Spradlin in The Formula (1980)
    Marlon Brando and G.D. Spradlin in The Formula (1980)
    Marlon Brando in The Formula (1980)
    Marlon Brando and George C. Scott in The Formula (1980)
    Marlon Brando in The Formula (1980)
    Marlon Brando and George C. Scott in The Formula (1980)
    Marlon Brando in The Formula (1980)
    George C. Scott and Marthe Keller in The Formula (1980)

    Top cast

    Edit
    George C. Scott
    George C. Scott
    • Barney Caineas Barney Caine
    Marlon Brando
    Marlon Brando
    • Adam Steiffelas Adam Steiffel
    Marthe Keller
    Marthe Keller
    • Lisaas Lisa
    John Gielgud
    John Gielgud
    • Dr. Esauas Dr. Esau
    G.D. Spradlin
    G.D. Spradlin
    • Clementsas Clements
    Beatrice Straight
    Beatrice Straight
    • Kay Neeleyas Kay Neeley
    Richard Lynch
    Richard Lynch
    • Kladenas Kladen…
    John Van Dreelen
    John Van Dreelen
    • Hans Lehmanas Hans Lehman
    Robin Clarke
    • Major Neeleyas Major Neeley
    Ike Eisenmann
    Ike Eisenmann
    • Tonyas Tony
    Marshall Thompson
    Marshall Thompson
    • Geologist #1as Geologist #1
    Dieter Schidor
    • Assassinas Assassin
    Werner Kreindl
    • Schellenbergas Schellenberg
    Jan Niklas
    Jan Niklas
    • Gestapo Captainas Gestapo Captain
    Wolfgang Preiss
    Wolfgang Preiss
    • Franz Tauberas Franz Tauber
    Calvin Jung
    • Sgt. Yosutaas Sgt. Yosuta
    Alan North
    Alan North
    • Nolanas Nolan
    David Byrd
    David Byrd
    • Obermannas Obermann
    • Director
      • John G. Avildsen
    • Writer
      • Steve Shagan(novel) (screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    A detective uncovers a formula that was devised by the Nazis in World War II to make fuel from synthetic products, thereby eliminating the necessity for oil, and oil companies. A major oil company finds out about it and tries to destroy the formula, and anyone who knows about it.
    • based on novel
    • oil company
    • oil
    • gasoline
    • oil industry
    • 23 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Big Oil. Big Money. Big Mystery. Everyone's out to make a killing.
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Marlon Brando told Lawrence Grobel ("Conversations with Brando") that this movie, 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.
    • Goofs
      At the beginning of The Formula, a Nazi General is given the task of driving a truck to the Swiss border. In the next scene the truck has been captured by the US Army. The scene is shot in the snow. This is supposed to take place in the first week of May 1945. There is nowhere that would be covered in snow between Berlin and the Swiss border in May, even if he went the long way i.e. via Austria.
    • Quotes

      Paul Obermann, Chief Engineer Berlin Power & Light Co.: In Germany, one does not bring police into matters which concern the past.

    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: Any Which Way You Can/The Formula/Raging Bull/Nine to Five (1980)

    User reviews34

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    I actually liked this movie
    The reviews for this movie have been rather consistently poor--both when it was released and on IMDb. For some reason, I actually liked this film--maybe I have bad taste, but I found it to be a very pleasant surprise! Maybe some of my positive regard for this is because I like George C. Scott so much and because I like paranoid and depressing movies (and this one has all these elements). In fact, I am guessing that the depressing nature of the film is much of the reason why others dislike it (there are a lot of murders in the movie). But I liked it for the odd plot--about the evil oil producers trying to suppress a secret for a cheaper fuel through murders and payoffs. But, if you do decide to watch this film, please try to remember that it's only a film. This is not a piece of non-fiction!

    UPDATE--8/08. I re-watched this film (something I rarely do) and was surprised how dull I found it a second time. While I still liked the paranoid plot involving a worldwide oil conspiracy, this time I noticed that the film was a bit too talky and the plot a bit too convoluted. Plus, and I know Brando fans will hate me for saying this, but his acting seemed a tad over-done. Still, it's a decent film even if I did knock my original score from 8 to 6.
    helpful•18
    6
    • planktonrules
    • Jul 19, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 19, 1980 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • West Germany
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
      • German
    • Also known as
      • Die Formel
    • Filming locations
      • Bel Air, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
      • CIP Filmproduktion GmbH
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $13,200,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $8,894,289
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $842,985
      • Dec 21, 1980
    • Gross worldwide
      • $8,894,289
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 57 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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