The Formula is a mystery film directed by John G. Avildsen released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1980. It features a preeminent cast of Marlon Brando, John Gielgud, George C. Scott and Marthe Keller. Craig T. Nelson also makes a brief appearance as a geologist. The film opens in the final days of World War II as the Russians are on the outskirts of Berlin. A German SS general is dispatched to the Swiss border with top secret materials, with orders to hide them from the Allies. In contemporary Los Angeles, Lt. Barney Caine is assigned to solve the murder of his former boss and friend Tom... Neeley. The scene is made to look like 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 . When he interviews Neeley's ex-wife , he quickly catches her in several lies, and when he returns to interview her a second time, he finds her shot dead in her hot tub.
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| Release date: | December 19, 1980 |
| Directed by: | John G. Avildsen |
| Rated: |  |
| Runtime: | 117 Minutes |
| Producer: | Steve Shagan |
| Music by: | Bill Conti |
| Screenplay by: | Steve Shagan |
| Genre: | Thriller |