The Formula (1980 film)

The Formula is a mystery film directed by John G. Avildsen released by MetroGoldwynMayer in 1980. It features a preeminent cast including Marlon Brando, George C. Scott, John Gielgud, and Marthe Keller. Craig T. Nelson also makes a brief appearance as a geologist.

In contemporary Los Angeles, Lt. Barney Caine George C. Scott is assigned to solve the murder of his former boss and friend Tom Neeley, which presumably occurred during 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 Neeleys exwife Beatrice Straight, 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.Steiffel reveals in his interview that Neeley was working for him as a bagman, executing all the bribes Baksheesh that are required of an American energy firm to operate in the Middle East. Neeley was sent overseas by him frequently to distribute money to business partners. Steiffel then makes reference to a formula for a catalyst that converts coal into petroleum and claimed that the Nazis had relied heavily on their coal reserves and the formula to fuel their war efforts, given their lack of petroleum resources. Steiffel asserts that the formula has been kept secret by the powerful oil cartel, which would lose power if coalrich countries like the United States could simply rely on their natural resources. Caine becomes convinced he must go to Germany to solve Neeleys murder, and after he convinces his Chief Alan North to allow him to pursue the investigation in Europe, the Chief is seen phoning one of Steiffels cronies G. D. Spradlin to tell him that Caine has taken the bait. ........

Source: Wikipedia