The Formula

The Formula is a mystery film directed by John G. Avildsen released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1980. It features a preeminent cast of George C. Scott, Marlon Brando, John Gielgud, 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 (Richard Lynch) 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 (George C. Scott) 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 (Marlon Brando). When he interviews Neeley's ex-wife (Beatrice Straight), he...