The Formula
A detective uncovers a formula that was devised by the Nazis in World War II to make fuel from synthetic products, thereby eliminating the necessity for oil, and oil companies. A major oil company finds out about it and tries to destroy the formula, and anyone who knows about it.
The film underperformed commercially against its modest budget of $13.2M, earning $8.9M globally (-33% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling within the crime genre.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 7 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Formula (1980) exemplifies precise story structure, characteristic of John G. Avildsen's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 57 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes LAPD Detective Barney Caine is shown as a seasoned, by-the-book cop in Los Angeles, living a routine life investigating crimes within the system he trusts.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Tom Neeley, Caine's former partner and friend, is murdered in Los Angeles after returning from Germany. The murder is staged to look like a burglary, but Caine immediately suspects something more sinister is at play.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Caine discovers the full truth: the synthetic fuel formula actually works and has been successfully suppressed by major oil companies for decades. He realizes this isn't just about one murder—it's about a global conspiracy. The stakes become enormous, and powerful forces are now actively targeting him., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 88 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, A key witness or ally is killed, and Caine realizes he cannot win against this system. The formula exists, the conspiracy is real, but he has no way to expose it or bring justice. His investigation has led to more deaths without achieving justice for his friend., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 94 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Caine decides to confront Adam Steiffel directly. Rather than continue fighting from the shadows, he will face the architect of the conspiracy and demand answers. He synthesizes his detective skills with his newfound understanding of systemic corruption., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Formula's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Formula against these established plot points, we can identify how John G. Avildsen utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Formula within the crime genre.
John G. Avildsen's Structural Approach
Among the 10 John G. Avildsen films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Formula represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete John G. Avildsen filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more John G. Avildsen analyses, see For Keeps, 8 Seconds and The Karate Kid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
LAPD Detective Barney Caine is shown as a seasoned, by-the-book cop in Los Angeles, living a routine life investigating crimes within the system he trusts.
Theme
A character remarks about power and control: "It's not about what's right, it's about what's profitable." This establishes the film's theme about institutional corruption and the prioritization of profit over human welfare.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Caine's world as an LAPD detective, his relationship with his former partner Tom Neeley, and the introduction of the post-WWII mystery that Neeley has been investigating. The world of oil, power, and global conspiracy is hinted at.
Disruption
Tom Neeley, Caine's former partner and friend, is murdered in Los Angeles after returning from Germany. The murder is staged to look like a burglary, but Caine immediately suspects something more sinister is at play.
Resistance
Caine debates whether to pursue the investigation beyond a routine murder case. He discovers Neeley's notes about a Nazi formula and connections to Switzerland and Germany. He faces resistance from his superiors and questions whether to enter this dangerous conspiracy world.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Caine investigates across Europe, uncovering the history of the Nazi synthetic fuel formula. He follows leads, encounters various conspirators, and pieces together the massive cover-up. This is the detective thriller "fun" the audience came for—the investigation and revelations.
Midpoint
Caine discovers the full truth: the synthetic fuel formula actually works and has been successfully suppressed by major oil companies for decades. He realizes this isn't just about one murder—it's about a global conspiracy. The stakes become enormous, and powerful forces are now actively targeting him.
Opposition
The oil companies and their operatives close in on Caine. Witnesses and contacts are eliminated. Caine faces increasing danger and realizes how deep the corruption goes. His investigation is blocked at every turn by people with unlimited resources and power.
Collapse
A key witness or ally is killed, and Caine realizes he cannot win against this system. The formula exists, the conspiracy is real, but he has no way to expose it or bring justice. His investigation has led to more deaths without achieving justice for his friend.
Crisis
Caine grapples with the futility of his quest. He has uncovered the truth but cannot change it. He confronts his own powerlessness against institutional corruption and questions whether pursuing truth matters if it cannot bring change or justice.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Caine decides to confront Adam Steiffel directly. Rather than continue fighting from the shadows, he will face the architect of the conspiracy and demand answers. He synthesizes his detective skills with his newfound understanding of systemic corruption.
Synthesis
Caine confronts Steiffel at Titan Oil headquarters. The climactic conversation where Steiffel admits everything—the formula exists, they've suppressed it, and they'll continue to do so. Steiffel justifies it through economic logic: releasing the formula would cause global economic collapse.
Transformation
Caine walks away from the confrontation, transformed from an idealistic cop who believed in justice into a disillusioned man who understands that truth and justice are powerless against entrenched systems of power. Unlike the Status Quo where he trusted the system, he now knows the system protects itself above all.