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The Formula (1980)

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Top Critics

Average Rating: 4.6/10
Reviews Counted: 10
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 7

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 2
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 2

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Average Rating: 2.8/5
User Ratings: 952

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Movie Info

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 intervening 35 years since the war's end, the formula has disappeared and several people connected with it have died under mysterious circumstances. Also during this period, oil magnate Adam Steiffel (Marlon

R, 1 hr. 57 min.

Mystery & Suspense, Drama

Directed By: John G. Avildsen

In Theaters: Dec 19, 1980 Wide

On DVD: Nov 7, 2006

Cast

George C. Scott
Barney Caine
Marthe Keller
Lisa
Marlon Brando
Adam Steiffel
John Van Dreelen
Hans Lehman
John Gielgud
Dr. Esau
Calvin Jung
Sgt. Yosuta
G.D. Spradlin
Clements
Beatrice Straight
Kay Neeley
Richard Lynch
Kladen/Tedesco
Robin Clarke
Maj. Neeley
Ike Eisenmann
Tony
Alan North
Nolan
Ferdinand "Ferdy" Mayne
Siebold
Gerry Murphy
Chauffer
David Byrd
Obermann
Wolfgang Preiss
Franz Tauber
Martin Brandt
Concierge (German)
Jim Breuer
Security Guard
Albert Carrier
Butler
Stephanie Edwards
Reporter
Reinhard Kolldehoff
Reimeck
Werner Kreindl
Schellenberg
Ric Mancini
Printman
Craig T. Nelson
Geologist #2
Jan Niklas
Gestapo Captain
Lavelle Roby
Secretary
Marshall Thompson
Geologist
Dieter Schidor
Assassin
Ernie Fuentes
Pool Man
Tom Hall
Reporter
Louis Basile
Vince Rizzo
Weston Gavin
U.S. Army Captain
Herb Voland
Geologist #3

Critic Reviews for The Formula

All Critics (11) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (7) | DVD (1)

its completely muddled plot is a disaster: There can be no joy in unraveling a plot that is a mystery even to itself.

October 23, 2004 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

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

August 30, 2004 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment (1)

Janet Maslin

New York Times

Top Critic

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

January 25, 2009 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com

| Comment

Paul Brenner

Filmcritic.com

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

August 30, 2008 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Laborious

January 26, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Tom Milne

Time Out

The Formula is an intriguing thriller that raises many questions about business ethics and the moral bankruptcy of the very rich.

January 29, 2004 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

| Comment

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

A potentially fascinating subject is torpedoed by an overplotted and overloaded script, and opaque direction.

May 24, 2003 Full Review Source: Film4

| Comment

Film4

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Audience Reviews for The Formula

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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 plot involving a Nazi Formula for

September 18, 2009

Bruce Bruce

Super Reviewer

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 pretty good job overall. The film itself is

November 4, 2006

Mike T.

Super Reviewer

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