John G. Avildsen directed The Formula, a mystery film written by Steve Shagan, who adapted his 1979 novel of the same name.
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Theatrical release poster by Tom Jung
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The film stars Marlon Brando, George C. Scott, Marthe Keller, John Gielgud, G. D. Spradlin, and Beatrice Straight.
The film opens in the final days of World War II as Soviet forces close in on the outskirts of Berlin. Panzer Korps General Helmut Kladen (Richard Lynch) is dispatched to the Swiss frontier with secret documents to be used as bargaining chip with the Allies to save Germany from the Soviets. But he is intercepted by the U.S. Army and turned over to Army Intelligence.
In contemporary Los Angeles, Lt. Barney Caine (George C. Scott) is assigned to solve the murder of his former boss and friend Tom Neeley, which presumably occurred during a drug deal gone wrong.
However, Neeley has written “Gene” on a newspaper in his own blood, and Caine finds a map of Germany with the name “Obermann” on it.
Caine is surprised to learn that Neeley provided drugs at parties hosted by the tycoon Adam Steiffel (Marlon Brando).
When he interviews Neeley’s ex-wife (Beatrice Straight), she lies, and when he returns to interview her a second time, he finds her shot dead in her tub.
Steiffel reveals that Neeley was working for him as a bagman. Neeley was sent overseas by the company to deliver money to business partners. Caine convinces his Chief (Alan North) to allow him to go to Germany for the investigation.
Later, the Chief is seen phoning one of Steiffel’s cronies (G. D. Spradlin) to tell him that Caine has taken the bait.
At the airport before flying home to Los Angeles, Caine realizes that the two copies of the formula in the hotel safe were replaced with fakes. Moreover, the real copies are with the LAPD and the Swiss.
Dull, contrived, and ploddingly directed, the film is a never-ending series of repetitive interviews.
Brando got much publicity, when it was revealed that he was paid $3 million for appearing in only three scenes.
Despite star power, the movie was a commercial flop. Made on a budget $13.2 million, The Formula earned only $8.9 million at the box-office.
Cast
Marlon Brando as Adam Steiffel
George C. Scott as Lt. Barney Caine
Marthe Keller as Lisa Spangler
John Gielgud as Dr. Abraham Esau
G. D. Spradlin as Arthur Clements
Beatrice Straight as Kay Neeley
Richard Lynch as Gen. Helmut Kladen/Frank Tedesco
John van Dreelen as Hans Lehman
Robin Clarke as Maj. Tom Neeley
Ike Eisenmann as Tony
Marshall Thompson as Geologist #1
Dieter Schidor as Assassin
Werner Kreindl as Schellenberg
Jan Niklas as Gestapo Captain
Wolfgang Preiss as Franz Tauber
David Byrd as Paul Obermann
Ferdy Mayne as Prof. Siebold
Alan North as Chief John Nolan
Calvin Jung as Sgt. Louis Yosuta
Louis Basile as Sgt. Vince Rizzo
Credits:
Directed by John G. Avildsen
Screenplay by Steve Shagan, based on his book, “The Formula”
Produced by Steve Shagan
Cinematography James Crabe
Edited by John Carter
Music by Bill Conti
Production companies: MGM
Distributed by United Artists
Cinema International Corporation (international)
Release date: December 19, 1980
Running time: 117 minutes
Budget $13.2 million
Box office $8.9 million
