“Big Oil. Big Money. Big Mystery. Everyone’s out to make a killing.”
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The Formula (1980) – Official Trailer, Cast & Details
The Formula at a Glance
The Formula is a 1980 thriller, mystery and crime film from director John G. Avildsen, starring George C. Scott, Marlon Brando and Marthe Keller. It has a runtime of 1 hour 57 minutes and was released on December 19, 1980. The Formula has a TMDB rating of 5.5 out of 10 based on 51 votes and is rated R in the United States.
Watch the official The Formula trailer for free in 123Movies below.
1080p HD • Free YouTube Stream
Storyline & Synopsis
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.
Where “The Formula” Fits in the 123Movies Catalog
George C. Scott
Barney Caine
Marlon Brando
Adam Steiffel
Marthe Keller
Lisa
John Gielgud
Dr. Abraham Esau
G.D. Spradlin
Arthur Clements
Beatrice Straight
Kay Neeley
Richard Lynch
General Helmut Kladen / Frank Tedesco
John van Dreelen
Hans Lehman
Robin Clarke
Major Tom Neeley
Ike Eisenmann
Tony
Marshall Thompson
Geologist #1
Dieter Schidor
Assassin
Frequently Asked Questions About The Formula
What is the release date of The Formula?
The Formula was released on December 19, 1980.
How long is The Formula?
The Formula runs 1 hour 57 minutes (117 minutes).
Who is in the cast of The Formula?
The Formula stars George C. Scott as Barney Caine, Marlon Brando as Adam Steiffel, Marthe Keller as Lisa and John Gielgud as Dr. Abraham Esau. The cast also includes G.D. Spradlin, Beatrice Straight, Richard Lynch and John van Dreelen.
Who directed The Formula?
The Formula was directed by John G. Avildsen. The screenplay is credited to Steve Shagan.
What kind of movie is The Formula?
The Formula is listed on TMDB as a mix of thriller, mystery and crime.
What is The Formula rated?
The Formula is rated R in the United States. On TMDB it has an average user score of 5.5/10 from 51 votes.
Where can I watch the The Formula trailer?
You can watch the official trailer for The Formula, "The Formula - Trailer", for free on this 123Movies page. It is embedded from YouTube.
What should I watch if I liked The Formula?
Movies TMDB recommends alongside The Formula include Cleaner (2007), All the Devils Are Here (2025), Shimmer Lake (2017), The International (2009) and Body Brokers (2021).
Can I stream the full movie of The Formula on 123Movies?
No. 123Movies only shows official trailers and title information. Full movies are not hosted or linked on this site.
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