The Formula (1980)

'The Formula' was adapted by Steve Shagen from his novel of the same name and directed by John G. Avidsen ('Rocky', 'The Karate Kid'). George C. Scott is an L.A. homicide detective and former CIA agent investigating the murder of a friend and former police officer, the investigation takes him to Germany and the trail leads to an old Nazi program for converting coal and biomass into a gas substitute, and a formula some in the oil industry would kill to keep buried. I thought the first half of the film was solid and the second half mostly so-so and sometimes silly, I liked the ending though. Scott is good as always but it is Marlon Brando who leaves the strongest impression taking what is really a trumped up bit part and making a whole and compelling character out of a proto-Dick Cheney oil executive. **1/2