The Formula
Seen it?1980 | 117 min | Thriller, Mystery, Crime
Monday Morning Maybeearly ratingWhy it’s a Monday Morning Maybe
With just 22% on Rotten Tomatoes, a box office loss and little lasting buzz, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing.
- The mood
- Tense, gritty.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 57 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsWeak
22% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsBelow par
Nominated for 1 Oscar.. Plus: Nominated for 4 Razzies, the "worst of the year" awards.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$9 million worldwide on a $13 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 30K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by John G. Avildsen
- George C. ScottBarney Caine
- Marlon BrandoAdam Steiffel
- Marthe KellerLisa
- John GielgudDr. Abraham Esau
- G.D. SpradlinArthur Clements
- Beatrice StraightKay Neeley
- Richard LynchGeneral Helmut Kladen / Frank Tedesco
- John van DreelenHans Lehman
- Robin ClarkeMajor Tom Neeley
- Ike EisenmannTony