Directed by:
John G. AvildsenScreenplay:
Steve ShaganCinematography:
James CrabeComposer:
Bill ContiCast:
Marlon Brando, George C. Scott, Marthe Keller, John Gielgud, G. D. Spradlin, Beatrice Straight, Richard Lynch, Marshall Thompson, Jan Niklas, Alan North (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
Director John G. Avildsen's mystery thriller, adapted by Steve Shagan from his best-selling novel, stars George C. Scott as police officer Barney Caine, who uncovers a mysterious secret while investigating the murder of a friend. During World War II, a German general had in his possession a valuable formula for synthetic fuel. He was kidnapped by U.S. major Robin Clarke, who stole the secret. Decades later, Clarke is murdered, and the documents that contain the formula disappear once again. Caine sets out to solve the murder and find the missing papers. During his investigation, Caine discovers that his buddy engaged in numerous underhanded activities and that the people he questions develop a strange habit of dying violently. In his struggles to unearth the truth, Caine comes face-to-face with powerful oil magnate Adam Steiffel (Marlon Brando), who will stop at nothing to keep the top-secret formula hidden. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Marlon Brando
USA
Best movies:
The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 (1992) (TV movie)
The Godfather: A Novel for Television (1977) (series)
The Godfather (1972)
George C. Scott
USA
Best movies:
Marthe Keller
Switzerland
Best movies:
One Life (2023)
Marathon Man (1976)
And Now My Love (1974)
John Gielgud
UK
Best movies:
The Elephant Man (1980)
Gandhi (1982)
The Scarlet and the Black (1983) (TV movie)
G. D. Spradlin
USA
Best movies:
The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 (1992) (TV movie)
The Godfather: A Novel for Television (1977) (series)
The Godfather: Part II (1974)
Beatrice Straight
USA
Best movies:
The Nun's Story (1959)
Network (1976)
Phone Call from a Stranger (1952)
Richard Lynch
USA
Best movies:
High Stakes (1989)
Steel (1979)
Scarecrow (1973)
Marshall Thompson
USA
Best movies:
The Valley of Decision (1945)
The Tall Target (1951)
Mystery Street (1950)
Jan Niklas
Germany
Best movies:
Anne Frank: The Whole Story (2001) (TV movie)
The Life of Verdi (1982) (series)
Ansichten eines Clowns (1976)
Alan North
USA
Best movies:
Serpico (1973)
...And Justice for All (1979)
Glory (1989)
Ferdy Mayne
German Empire
Best movies:
Ben-Hur (1959)
Barry Lyndon (1975)
The Password is Courage (1962)
Craig T. Nelson
USA
Best movies:
The Devil's Advocate (1997)
The Incredibles (2004)
The Killing Fields (1984)
Reinhard Kolldehoff
German Empire
Best movies:
Don't Look Now: We're Being Shot At (1966)
The Damned (1969)
The Violent People (1970)
Wolfgang Preiss
German Empire
Best movies:
The Longest Day (1962)
A Bridge Too Far (1977)
The Train (1964)
Ike Eisenmann
USA
Best movies:
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
The Kansas City Massacre (1975) (TV movie)
Banjo Hackett: Roamin' Free (1976) (TV movie)
Reinhard Vom Bauer
Best movies:
The Formula (1980)
Tatort (1970) (series)
Kavi Raz
India
Best movies:
The Formula (1980)
Big River (2005)
Pet Sematary (1989)
Albert Carrier
Canada
Best movies:
Scarface (1983)
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
The Wreck Of The Mary Deare (1959)
David Byrd
USA
Best movies:
Lost Highway (1997)
Columbo (1971) (series)
Mother Teresa: In the Name of God's Poor (1997)
Robin Clarke
Best movies:
Columbo (1971) (series)
Death Sentence (1968)
The Formula (1980)