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Catalog/Crime/The Formula
The Formula poster
C
Average
MASTER SCORE 46.0 / 100
1980·Crime / Thriller / Mystery·1h 57m

THE FORMULA

“Big Oil. Big Money. Big Mystery. Everyone’s out to make a killing.”

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.

Above the Line
John G. Avildsen·DirectorSteve Shagan·ScreenplaySteve Shagan·NovelJames Crabe·Director of PhotographyBill Conti·Original Music ComposerJohn Carter·Editor
Cast
George C. Scott·Barney CaineMarlon Brando·Adam SteiffelMarthe Keller·LisaJohn Gielgud·Dr. Abraham EsauG.D. Spradlin·Arthur ClementsBeatrice Straight·Kay NeeleyRichard Lynch·General Helmut Kladen / Frank TedescoJohn van Dreelen·Hans LehmanRobin Clarke·Major Tom NeeleyIke Eisenmann·Tony
Full Crew
(17 credits)
Directing· 1
John G. Avildsen·Director
Writing· 2
Steve Shagan·ScreenplaySteve Shagan·Novel
Camera· 1
James Crabe·Director of Photography
Editing· 1
John Carter·Editor
Sound & Music· 1
Bill Conti·Original Music Composer
Art & Design· 6
Herman A. Blumenthal·Production DesignBill Thomas·Costume DesignHasso von Hugo·Makeup ArtistEvelyn Döhring·Makeup & HairLee Poll·Set DecorationDel Acevedo·Makeup Artist
Production· 3
Steve Shagan·ProducerKen Swor·Associate ProducerCaro Jones·Casting
Other Departments· 2
Jo McCarthy·HairstylistCharlie Picerni·Stunts
By the Numbers
46.0
OF 100
Master Score
5.6
OF 10
IMDb
30%
CRITICS
Rotten Tomatoes
$9M
ROI -33%
Worldwide Gross
0
1 NOMS
Oscar Wins
Where to Watch

THE AVAILABILITY MAP

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Provider Index In Progress

Streaming, rental, and purchase availability for this title is being ingested from the TMDB watch-providers feed and will appear here once the next catalog refresh runs. Until then, the canonical source links below remain the fastest route.

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Poster DNA

THE VISUAL DECONSTRUCTION

A bespoke vision agent's reading of the design language behind The Formula's key art.

Dominant Palette
3 colors
#E8E4DF
#C82A2A
#A81D1D
Mood
Abstract, Stark, Intense
Composition
Centered
Era
Contemporary
Visual Style
Graphic Design

“The poster features a large, central, abstract red inkblot resembling a human figure with outstretched arms and legs, against a textured off-white background. A”

Key Elements
Red Inkblot Figure
Atmosphere
Muted
Color Mood
Mixed
Setting
Abstract
Design Score
8/10
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THE NEIGHBORHOOD

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THREE WAYS DEEPER

Auteur
AUT
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