The Defection of Simas Kudirka (1978)
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
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
David Gibson
Garvey
