While investigating the death of a friend and fellow cop, Los Angeles police officer Barney Caine stumbles across evidence that Nazis created a synthetic alternative to gasoline during World War II. This revelation has the potential to end the established global oil industry, making the formula a very valuable and dangerous piece of information. Eventually, Caine must contend with oil tycoon Adam Steiffel, who clearly has his own agenda regarding the formula.

George C. Scott
as Barney Caine

Marlon Brando
as Adam Steiffel

Marthe Keller
as Lisa

John Gielgud
as Dr. Abraham Esau

G. D. Spradlin
as Arthur Clements

Beatrice Straight
as Kay Neeley

Richard Lynch
as General Helmut Kladen / Frank Tedesco

John van Dreelen
as Hans Lehman

Robin Clarke
as Major Tom Neeley

Ike Eisenmann
as Tony
Wuchak
_**Odd, talky, convoluted, but worthwhile**_ Released in 1980, "The Formula" is a star-studded crime/thriller about a Los Angeles detective (George C. Scott) who investigates the murder of his friend, a retired cop, which leads to Germany and a Nazi formula for synthetic fuel that big oil natural...