IN A WORLD STARVED FOR ENERGY, NO SECRET IS MORE VALUABLE.
L.A. cop Barney Caine (George C. Scott) goes to West Berlin in search of a killer; he finds out that the case is connected to a mysterious formula invented by the Nazis in WWII. A thriller that wants to be a valid contribution to the energy debate, suggesting that major oil companies are hiding secrets that could ease consumersā pain at the pump. The filmmakers also want to portray how the memories of the war still haunt Germany. The stars are fine, but itās hardly thrilling, not very emotional and not very well directed.
1980-U.S. 117 min. Color. Novel and screenplay written by, produced byĀ Steve Shagan. Directed byĀ John G. Avildsen. Cinematography: James Crabe. Cast: George C. Scott (Barney Caine), Marlon Brando (Adam Steiffel), Marthe Keller (Lisa Spangler), John Gielgud, G.D. Spradlin, Beatrice Straight… Craig T. Nelson.