The Formula (1980)

Marlon Brando: Adam Steiffel

Photos 

Quotes 

• Arthur Clements : [proposing that Titan Oil can raise their gasoline prices]  The people will accept the 12 cents now because we can blame it on the Arabs!

  Adam Steiffel, Chairman Titan Oil : Ah, Arthur, you're missing the point: We *are* the Arabs.

• Adam Steiffel, Chairman Titan Oil : Human beings, my friend, are a very complex paradox. Very, very dangerous. They don't wanna' be leaders, they wanna' be followers. I mean, they... they can't wait to find some nut, who they think is just wonderful, to tell them what to do. And they all wanna' be brought under control. And some of that awesome burden has fallen on my sagging shoulders. I didn't ask for it, and I don't enjoy it, but I accept it... because I have a strong sense of duty.

• Barney Caine : You trade lives and human dignity for profit.

  Adam Steiffel, Chairman Titan Oil : "Money, not morality, is the principal commerce of civilized nations." Thomas Jefferson, 200 years ago. That is the philosophy that built this nation.

  Barney Caine : What do you know about this nation? When did you ever give a second thought to American citizens? You're the reason their money's worthless. You're the reason old people are eating out of garbage cans, and kids get killed in bullshit wars. You're not in the oil business, you're in the oil shortage business. You're an ivory tower hoodlum. A common street killer. I wish to Christ there was some way I could nail you...

  Adam Steiffel, Chairman Titan Oil : Well... you're gonna' be nailing the American Dream, Barney. Because it all started in the corner gas station. Remember, you used to take your bike down there and get free air. And daddy said, "Fill them up, Fred." And you go down to grandma's for Christmas dinner. Yeah. Then, when you got your first car, what did you do? You took your girl for a ride. There was Fred smiling by the pump there. He never let you down, because a gallon of gas never broke down. Well, it was oil that nourished the American Dream. We're the great American tit, Barney. And without it... ain't no America.