The Defection of Simas Kudirka (1978)

The Defection of Simas Kudirka (1978)

1978-01-23 United States of America 100 Min. PG-13
6 1 votes

Overview

Based on the true story of the attempted defection in 1970 by a Lithuanian seaman seeking political asylum in the United States. Kudirka was denied asylum and returned to the Soviets, charged with treason, and sentenced to ten years of hard labor. It was later discovered and verified that his mother had been born in Brooklyn and gone to Lithuania at a young age, which meant she was a U. S. citizen. As a result, Kudirka was declared a U. S. citizen and in 1974 released by the Soviets.

Cast

Alan Arkin is Simas Kudirka
Simas Kudirka
Richard Jordan is Cmdr. Edward Devon
Cmdr. Edward Devon
Donald Pleasence is Capt. Vladimir Popov
Capt. Vladimir Popov
George Dzundza is Gruzauskas
Gruzauskas
John McMartin is Phillip Chadway
Phillip Chadway
Shirley Knight is Genna Kudirka
Genna Kudirka
Marvin Silbersher is Cmdr. Burkalis
Cmdr. Burkalis
Peter Evans is Mott
Mott
Ted Shackelford is Blain
Blain
Barton Heyman is Dr. Paegle
Dr. Paegle
Jack Blessing is Kabek
Kabek
Nicholas Guest is Baltrunar
Baltrunar

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