The Defection of Simas Kudirka
The Defection of Simas Kudirka
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.
Release Date
January 23, 1978
Runtime
100 minutes
Rating
Status
Released
Genres
Cast

Alan Arkin
Simas Kudirka

Richard Jordan
Cmdr. Edward Devon

Donald Pleasence
Capt. Vladimir Popov

George Dzundza
Gruzauskas

John McMartin
Phillip Chadway

Shirley Knight
Genna Kudirka

Ted Shackelford
Blain

Barton Heyman
Dr. Paegle

Jack Blessing
Kabek

Nicholas Guest
Baltrunar

Matthew Arkin
Petras

Salem Ludwig
Assistant Supervisor
Content Source
Data provided by The Movie Database (TMDB).








