Even though this film was made 27 years ago, it applies to our oil & political situation today, as no other, and may even convince you of it's truth; how would we know? The opening of the film is perfect, totally putting the viewer in the picture. Richard Lynch is fabulous as the calculating Nazi officer and the dialogue is right on the mark. Too bad they didn't dwell just a tad more on the set-up, this film is so good, they could have fleshed things out and ran at 2 1/2 to 3 hours without any lapse of interest. Brando, of course, is wonderful as the oil company exec, and the film is loaded with classic character actors like the wonderful Wolfgang Preiss, and Beatrice Straight. Scott is intense, as always and Marthe Keller is spot-on. A fine music score and atmospheric cinematography complete the picture. My one caveat, some minor Hollywood politically correct nonsense about Scott's Asian partner, a total waste of time in an otherwise wonderful and highly thoughtful film.