The Formula (1980): Cast, Box Office & Plot
The Formula is a 1980 mystery thriller directed by John G. Avildsen, starring George C. Scott as Barney Caine, Marlon Brando and Richard Lynch. It runs 1 hour 57 minutes and earned $8.9 million worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 57m (117 min)
- Director
- John G. Avildsen
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- CIP Filmproduktion GmbH
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Formula About?
The premise of The Formula without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Los Angeles detective Barney Caine investigates a fellow officer’s death and uncovers evidence that Nazi scientists created a synthetic gasoline during World II. The secret formula could dismantle the global oil monopoly, making it priceless and perilous. Caine soon clashes with oil magnate Adam Steiffel, whose own designs on the formula threaten to spark a deadly corporate war.
The Formula Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- american cop abroad
- synthetic fuel
- big oil
- based on novel
- reference to salvador allende
- reference to chile
- berlin germany
- american in germany
- west germany
- berlin wall
- berlin zoo
- american abroad
+38 more Show fewer
- bel air
- checkpoint charlie
- hamburg germany
- nazi scientist
- crude oil
- oil derrick
- concentration camp
- retired cop
- corporate greed
- opec
- coal
- oil wealth
- chauffeur
- screenplay adapted by author
- reference to genesis
- world war two
- panzer brigade
- blood
- chemist
- coal miner
- cocaine
- courier
- drug dealer
- general
- haiti
- hotel
- german history
- investigation
- kidnapping
- mission
- newspaper
- nightclub
- photograph
- party
- rome italy
- scientist
- voodoo
- uncle niece relationship
The Formula Cast & Characters
George C. Scott leads the cast as Barney Caine, with Marlon Brando as Adam Steiffel and Richard Lynch as General Helmut Kladen / Frank Tedesco. Directed by John G. Avildsen; 28 actors are credited in all.
-
Director John G. Avildsen
-
George C. Scott as Barney Caine -
Marlon Brando as Adam Steiffel - Richard Lynch as General Helmut Kladen / Frank Tedesco
- Weston Gavin as U.S. Army Captain
Also Starring in The Formula
· 24 more- Robin Clarke Major Tom Neeley
- David Byrd Obermann
- Marthe Keller Lisa
- Ferdy Mayne Siebold
- John Gielgud Dr. Abraham Esau
- Calvin Jung Sgt. Yosuta
- Wolfgang Preiss Franz Tauber
- Craig T. Nelson Geologist #2
- Marshall Thompson Geologist #1
- John Van Dreelen Hans Lehman
- G. D. Spradlin Arthur Clements
- Ike Eisenmann Tony
- Alan North Nolan
- Jan Niklas Gestapo Captain
- Beatrice Straight Kay Neeley
- Ric Mancini Printman
Show all 28 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Dieter Schidor Assassin
- Herb Voland Geologist #3
- Gerard Murphy Chauffeur
- Werner Kreindl Schellenberg
- Nathan Roberts Reporter
- Louis Basile Vince Rizzo
- Diane Tyler Telex Operator
- Francisco Prado Mendosa
More from John G. Avildsen
More films directed by John G. Avildsen, best-rated first: Rocky, The Karate Kid, The Karate Kid Part II and Lean on Me.
The Formula Plot Summary
What happens in The Formula from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the final days of World War II, as Soviet forces close in on Berlin, Panzer Korps General General Helmut Kladen is entrusted with secret documents that could influence negotiations with the Allies and maybe spare Germany from the Soviet onslaught. Yet his mission is abruptly redirected when American forces intercept him and hand him over to Army Intelligence, setting a different kind of war into motion that echoes across decades.
Full summary
The whole story of The Formula, scene by scene
The Formula Box Office
The Formula grossed $8.9 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$8.9M
- US & Canada
- $8.9M
How Well Do You Know The Formula?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the Los Angeles investigator drawn into the murder case?
Cars in The Formula
13 cars on screen, including the 1978 Fiat 127 Fiorino and the 1978 Ford Granada MkII.
-
1978 Fiat 127 Fiorino Minor role -
1978 Ford Granada MkII Minor role -
Mercedes-Benz W123 Minor role -
Mercedes-Benz Unknown Minor role
The Formula Also Known As
14 alternative titles, including “La formula” and “La Formule”.
- Also known as
-
- La formula
- La Formule
- Den hemliga formeln
- Die Formel
- La Fórmula
- Záhadný vzorec
- Формулата
- Wzór
- A Fórmula
- Формула
- Η Μυστική Φόρμουλα
- Salainen kaava
+2 more Show fewer
- A képlet
- 绝密配方
Seen The Formula?
Movies Like The Formula
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Guardians of the Formula, Killing Cars and Best Seller.
The Formula FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of The Formula, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Formula?
The Formula runs 1 hour 57 minutes (117 minutes).
When was The Formula released?
The Formula was released on December 19, 1980.
Who directed The Formula?
The Formula was directed by John G. Avildsen.
More films by John G. Avildsen Who is in the cast of The Formula?
The Formula stars George C. Scott as Barney Caine, Marlon Brando as Adam Steiffel and Richard Lynch as General Helmut Kladen / Frank Tedesco, among 28 credited actors.
How much did The Formula make at the box office?
The Formula grossed $8.9 million worldwide.
Does The Formula have a post-credit scene?
No. The Formula has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
