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.

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

N/A

Marvin Silbersher

Cmdr. Burkalis

N/A

Peter Evans

Mott

Ted Shackelford

Blain

Barton Heyman

Dr. Paegle

Jack Blessing

Kabek

Nicholas Guest

Baltrunar