While investigating the death of a friend and fellow cop, Los Angeles police officer Barney Caine stumbles across evidence that Nazis created a synthetic alternative to gasoline during World War II. This revelation has the potential to end the established global oil industry, making the formula a very valuable and dangerous piece of information. Eventually, Caine must contend with oil tycoon Adam Steiffel, who clearly has his own agenda regarding the formula.
Acting
Brando's bizarre German accent and Scott's weary integrity.
Direction
Avildsen's last thriller before going full Rocky.
Production
Genuine Cold War locations add paranoid authenticity.
Director
John G. Avildsen
George C. Scott
Barney Caine
Marlon Brando
Adam Steiffel
Marthe Keller
Lisa
John Gielgud
Dr. Abraham Esau
G.D. Spradlin
Arthur Clements
Beatrice Straight
Kay Neeley
Richard Lynch
General Helmut Kladen / Frank Tedesco
Robin Clarke
Major Tom Neeley
Ike Eisenmann
Tony
Marshall Thompson
Geologist #1
Dieter Schidor
Assassin
Werner Kreindl
Schellenberg
Jan Niklas
Gestapo Captain
Wolfgang Preiss
Franz Tauber
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Brando reportedly rewrote his own dialogue on set, leading to tense clashes with Scott.
Released during the 1979 oil crisis, audiences were primed to believe oil companies would literally kill for profit.
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