Customer Reviews

The Formula

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The quote of this film should be Brando: "WE ARE THE ARABS!" The comments that appear in the AMG site about theis film are ludicrous. Who are they supporting, The OIL cmpanies? THE AMG COMPLAINT ABOUT THE FILM IS "THE INTERMINABLE STEADY-CAM SCENES."
THE ACADEMY NOMINATED THE FILM FOR ITS PHOTOGRAPHY!
Now that we have a $3.00 per gallon situation in this country, this film literally HITS THE MARK!

This film had a lot going for it -- an interesting and timely story about Nazis, world fuel supplies, and high gas prices; a bunch of great actors including Marlon Brando and George C. Scott in his last performance; and solid production values.

Unfortuately, this was all undone because "The Formula" -- a formula for alternative fuel devised by the Nazis in World War II and hidden by gas executives -- is the most poorly edited film in movie history. The chain of events in this movie is so incongruous is strains the viewer to stay involved and eventually defeats every viewer's ability to manage the "plot".

I'll never forget the day I waited in anticipation of seeing it at the theater when it came out in 1980. While standing in line to enter, my frined from work came out. I asked him how it was. "You have to keep up with it," he said.

Not much question today that he wasn't being cryptic or evasive in his response. This film had everything going for it -- great actors, a timely plot, perhaps even more timely today, great studio values, wonderful lighting, everything except an editor.

Finally, I have two questions: Why wasn't this film re-edited on DVD release? And who is that guy on the DVD cover mimicking a young Marlon Brando? Didn't they see the bald, fat, and old actor that played his part in the movie?

I liked this movie. Brando and George C. Scott knock heads in this battle between integrity and big money. The world would probably be a lot better off if the "Formula" was being used today. Check this one out I think you will like it if you like dramas.

This (I suspect) must have been an intriguing book of the page-turning type. Plot-heavy, you could always go back and re-read the bits you hadn't taken in from the start. As a film, however, it lacks drama, and I think it must be because the writer was just not fully aware how visual entertainment works, either on the screen or on the stage. There is a lack of emotional engagement from and between every single character: each one merely seems to be reading his lines from the book. These are good actors, so it's not so obvious, but the whole thing is like a jigsaw puzzle none of whose pieces quite fit. Moreover, the actors all seem to know this: I suppose it's the director's fault, as well as the writer's. None of these thespians seem at home. G.C.Scott is dead serious, but he convinces neither as a father nor as a lover: these are not roles he's comfortable with. Gielgud's appearance, and performance, is startlingly out-of-place. Brando looks as if he's on a frolic of his own, in an ill-fitting suit, pug nose, lip-padding, and the kind of haircut that always worries you whenever you see one. No. It's kind of interesting, but I couldn't call it good. The Jefferson quote was impressive.

The Formula This is an excellent movie that for some reason never made it big, likely due to its subject matter. The plot revolves around the idea that Nazi scientists discover a means to develop synthetic fuels and lubricants from coal. This of course becomes an issue of utmost importance to the big oil companies. Realizing that with the mass production of synthetic fuel they would no longer be able to control and maintain their colossal profits they set out to keep this "formula" secret - hidden until the appropiate time. This sets the stage for this movie. The acting is high caliber across the board. I highly recommend this movie - it is closer to the truth than most poeple will want to believe.

This film from 1980 is still worthy of a watch as it is well acted and the story is as important today, maybe more so, as it was when it was originally filmed. It is about the oil business, its history and current state of affairs hasn't aged this film one bit. If anything it is an eyeopening exploration of our relationship with the oil cartel, the Nazi world war II formula for a synthetic fuel, International bankers, and our current oil companies whose agendas continue on. A thought provoking film and I am so glad it finally came out in DVD. Great cast that also includes that wonderful German actor, Wolfgang Preiss as the Swiss banker.

This DVD release of The Formula from "VCI Entertainment" is a DVD-R, not a factory pressed DVD! The picture is also not as clear as a version I had previously rented from Netflix.

I guess it's not a big deal since it's only 4.99 but you would think Amazon would mention somewhere that it's a DVD-R anybody could have pressed on their computer. If I would have known that, I would have just made a copy of the one I rented.

Even though this film was made 27 years ago, it applies to our oil & political situation today, as no other, and may even convince you of it's truth; how would we know? The opening of the film is perfect, totally putting the viewer in the picture. Richard Lynch is fabulous as the calculating Nazi officer and the dialogue is right on the mark. Too bad they didn't dwell just a tad more on the set-up, this film is so good, they could have fleshed things out and ran at 2 1/2 to 3 hours without any lapse of interest. Brando, of course, is wonderful as the oil company exec, and the film is loaded with classic character actors like the wonderful Wolfgang Preiss, and Beatrice Straight. Scott is intense, as always and Marthe Keller is spot-on. A fine music score and atmospheric cinematography complete the picture. My one caveat, some minor Hollywood politically correct nonsense about Scott's Asian partner, a total waste of time in an otherwise wonderful and highly thoughtful film.

I've always liked the message of this story, that there were no longer enemies in the world, only customers. It's still is in the minds of the policy makers of today. Even though the technology is dated for this movie, the heart of the story is still true today.

On the downside, George C. Scott's performance did not totally fit the character, but I think the script needed some character transitions to make it all work better.

According the classic established patterns of the narrative line of the great Frederick Forsythe 's this suspenseful picture begins with just at the End of the WW2, when a German Officer is captured with important documents which originally would become a decisive deal to firm an armistice due the potent and extraordinary finding, that previously had been a successful discover; suddenly we go to 1980 in the middle of a simple murderer but on the road, the investigation will interweave with impressive consequences as a true spider 's web.

A very brief but still engaging appearance of Marlon Brando, but George Scott leads the film in the ninety five per cent of the whole shots. Martha Keller is fabulous and John Gielguld is splendid too.

An intriguing plot with a subject of beating actuality, despite of the quarter of century elapsed.

Admirable camera work and fabulous landscapes. This film is the masterpiece of John Alvidsen