The Formula (1980)

Plot:  Based on a Best-selling novel.  LA Detective Scott finds rich Oil Exec Brando is suppressing a 35 year-old Nazi formula that creates cheap synthetic oil.
Stars:  George C. Scott, Marlon Brando, John Gielgud

Despite having some of the greatest actors ever, The Formula died at the box office and currently has a 5.6 IMDB rating.  Its easy to understand why - the script is dull and confusing.  Instead of entertaining us, it bores us with German scientists, oil prices, and synthetic oil formulas.  After a needless WW II prologue, we embark upon a string of dull ten minute interviews.  Characters show up, talk to Scott and then disappear.  People die, but we get no action sequences, and Scott is never in danger. For an ending,  all we get is Scott telling off  Brando. Its quite underwhelming.

Acting
But you can't blame the actors for the low IMDB rating.  Scott gives a subtle, powerful performance as a harried, tired policeman, and dominates the movie.  Brando and Gielgud are excellent. Marthe Keller does well with a confusing, often unbelievable character.

Brando
Of course, Brando only did the movie for money and was paid handsomely ($millions for six days work).  A supporting character, he's in 3 scenes (two with Scott) for a total of 25 minutes. In his autobiography Brando dismisses the movie in one sentence, calling it a "Stinker."  However, the producer (on the DVD commentary) has nothing but praise for Brando. It seems Marlon created his own character, got along with everyone and even filmed the third scene for "No extra charge".

Further, unlike Missouri Breaks, Brando takes the part seriously.  He believably portrays the ruthless Oilman as an affable fellow with a Midwestern accent. Its an undemanding role - he just puts on a 3-piece suit and talks - but he's good. As for Brando vs. Scott.  They produce no fireworks, but its the script's fault - not theirs - and they play off each other like two pros. Charter members of the "to hell with the Oscars" club, Scott and Brando were friendly off-screen: playing chess, and engaging in quiet chit-chat. Scott had no problems with Brando's ad-libs or failure to learn lines.

George C. Scott
The DVD commentary by the Producer is interesting .  Supposedly, Scott was quite a handful during the production - moody, irascible, and disliking the director. The two often clashed on how to play the character. When requested to carry an umbrella, Scott told him: "George C. Scott only carries an umbrella with a sword in it." & the scene was done sans umbrella.  Meanwhile, the producer claims Scott was once found in his Berlin apartment drinking Vodka from a bottle and waving a .45 around.  Fortunately, no damage was done.  The Producer wished he'd hired Gene Hackman. 

Summary:  A thriller without any thrills, The Formula forgets the "good movie formula" requires a good script. Great actors aren't enough, they need good lines and an interesting story. But George C. Scott/Brando fans might find it worthwhile.