

The Formula
Big Oil. Big Money. Big Mystery. Everyone’s out to make a killing.
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.
TMDB
5.5/10
51 votes
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- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $13.2M
- Box office
- $8.9M
- Language
- German
- espionage
- big oil
- international intrigue
Top billed cast


















Behind the camera
Director
Writers
Music
Produced in
Germany, United States of America
Where to watch
All optionsAvailability for India. Provided by JustWatch through the TMDB API.
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Videos
Release dates
United StatesUS
- TheatricalR19 Dec 1980
ItalyIT
- Theatrical19 Feb 1981
Frequently asked questions
The Formula was released on 19 December 1980.
Audience reviews
1- W6/10
Wuchak
7/18/2021
_**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 naturally wants to suppress at all costs. Marlon Brando plays a shady oil tycoon but only appears for roughly 17 minutes of the…
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