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 limited budget of $13.2M, earning $8.9M globally (-33% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its bold vision 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) demonstrates carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of John G. Avildsen's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-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.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Lt. Barney Caine
Adam Steiffel
Lisa
Dr. Abraham Esau
Yosuta
Main Cast & Characters
Lt. Barney Caine
Played by George C. Scott
LAPD detective investigating the murder of his former boss, uncovering a conspiracy involving a Nazi-era synthetic fuel formula.
Adam Steiffel
Played by Marlon Brando
Ruthless oil company chairman who controls the synthetic fuel formula and will kill to protect oil industry profits.
Lisa
Played by Marthe Keller
German woman who assists Caine in his investigation and becomes romantically involved with him.
Dr. Abraham Esau
Played by John Gielgud
Elderly scientist with knowledge of the synthetic fuel formula from the Nazi era.
Yosuta
Played by Richard Lynch
Cold-blooded assassin hired to eliminate those who threaten the conspiracy.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes WWII prologue: A German general flees Berlin in 1945 with secret documents as the Reich collapses, establishing the historical mystery that will drive the narrative decades later.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Caine's old friend Tom Neeley is found murdered in Los Angeles. The case is assigned to Caine, who discovers Tom was involved in something far bigger than a simple homicide.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Caine decides to travel to Europe to follow the trail of evidence, committing fully to unraveling the conspiracy despite warnings that he's getting into dangerous territory beyond his authority., moving from reaction to action.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Caine discovers the synthetic fuel formula actually exists and works—the Nazis developed viable technology that could end oil dependency. But he realizes powerful forces have kept it buried for decades, and they know he's getting close., 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, Caine realizes the conspiracy is too powerful to defeat through normal channels. Key witnesses are eliminated, evidence disappears, and he faces the crushing reality that exposing the truth may be impossible—the system itself is corrupt., reveals 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 arranges a direct meeting with oil magnate Adam Steiffel, choosing to confront the architect of the conspiracy face-to-face, armed only with his knowledge and moral conviction., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Formula's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. 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, Rustom and The Whole Ten Yards. For more John G. Avildsen analyses, see For Keeps, Rocky and 8 Seconds.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
WWII prologue: A German general flees Berlin in 1945 with secret documents as the Reich collapses, establishing the historical mystery that will drive the narrative decades later.
Theme
A character remarks about how those with power control information and truth itself—foreshadowing the film's exploration of corporate suppression of technology that could benefit humanity.
Worldbuilding
The dual timeframes are established: the 1945 Nazi escape with secret formula documents, and present-day Los Angeles where Lt. Barney Caine works as a veteran detective navigating the LAPD bureaucracy.
Disruption
Caine's old friend Tom Neeley is found murdered in Los Angeles. The case is assigned to Caine, who discovers Tom was involved in something far bigger than a simple homicide.
Resistance
Caine begins investigating Neeley's death, finding cryptic clues that point toward international connections. He debates whether to pursue leads that go beyond his jurisdiction and encounters resistance from superiors.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Caine decides to travel to Europe to follow the trail of evidence, committing fully to unraveling the conspiracy despite warnings that he's getting into dangerous territory beyond his authority.
Mirror World
Caine connects with Lisa, a woman with ties to the case who becomes both an ally and romantic interest. Through her, he gains access to the European underworld of the conspiracy.
Premise
Caine's international investigation unfolds as he follows the trail through Germany, uncovering connections between Nazi scientists, synthetic fuel research, and modern oil corporations. The scope of the conspiracy begins to emerge.
Midpoint
Caine discovers the synthetic fuel formula actually exists and works—the Nazis developed viable technology that could end oil dependency. But he realizes powerful forces have kept it buried for decades, and they know he's getting close.
Opposition
The oil cartel's forces close in on Caine. Attempts are made on his life, allies become untrustworthy, and he discovers the conspiracy reaches into the highest levels of government and industry. Adam Steiffel's involvement becomes clearer.
Collapse
Caine realizes the conspiracy is too powerful to defeat through normal channels. Key witnesses are eliminated, evidence disappears, and he faces the crushing reality that exposing the truth may be impossible—the system itself is corrupt.
Crisis
Caine grapples with the seeming futility of his investigation. Everyone involved in the original formula is dead or silenced. He must decide whether to give up or make one final confrontation with the man at the top.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Caine arranges a direct meeting with oil magnate Adam Steiffel, choosing to confront the architect of the conspiracy face-to-face, armed only with his knowledge and moral conviction.
Synthesis
The climactic confrontation between Caine and Steiffel. In their dialogue, Steiffel brazenly admits to the conspiracy while explaining the economic "necessity" of suppressing the formula. Caine is left to reckon with the limits of justice against unlimited power.
Transformation
Caine walks away from Steiffel, having heard the truth but unable to bring the powerful to justice. The formula remains suppressed. His transformation is one of bitter knowledge—he now understands how the world really works, but is powerless to change it.