The Defection of Simas Kudirka (1978)
Synopsis
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: 1978-01-23
Runtime: 100 minutes
Director: David Lowell Rich
Top Cast
- Alan Arkin as Simas Kudirka
- Richard Jordan as Cmdr. Edward Devon
- Donald Pleasence as Capt. Vladimir Popov
- George Dzundza as Gruzauskas
- John McMartin as Phillip Chadway
- Shirley Knight as Genna Kudirka
- Marvin Silbersher as Cmdr. Burkalis
- Peter Evans as Mott
- Ted Shackelford as Blain
- Barton Heyman as Dr. Paegle
Soundtrack
Original Music Composer(s):
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