this movie be not for the weak of mind . the plot be complex . i remember read review that use word like murky . since the movie be a bit more complex than cop chase robber around some city at high speed most critic lack the intellectual wherewithal to keep track of what be go on . begin with a friend murder in los angeles lt. barney caine and lapd and ( george c. scott ) follow a trail which take him to europe and lead to a formula for turn coal into gasoline . it take caine a while to uncover this and the plot take a number of twist and turn . the end can only reinforce one cynicism about how the world work . the performance be strong and the movie be well worth the time take to view it .