The Defection of Simas Kudirka (1978)
1h 40m
Running Time
January 23, 1978Release Date
The Defection of Simas Kudirka (1978)
1h 40m
Running Time
January 23, 1978Release Date
Plot.
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.
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This Movie Is About.
Cast & Crew.
Alan Arkin
Simas Kudirka
Richard Jordan
Commander Edward Devon
Donald Pleasence
Captain Vladimir Popov
John McMartin
Phillip Chadway
George Dzundza
Gruzauskas
Shirley Knight
Genna Kudirka
David Lowell Rich
Director
Bruce Feldman
Writer
Marvin Silbersher
Cmdr. Burkalis
Peter Evans
Mott
Richard Briggs
Producer
Ted Shackelford
Blain
David Shire
Composer
Barton Heyman
Dr. Paegle
Jacques R. Marquette
Cinematographer
John A. Martinelli
Editor
Jack Blessing
Kabek
Nicholas Guest
Baltrunar
Matthew Arkin
Petras
Salem Ludwig
Assistant Supervisor
Donald Warnock
Stender
Nicholas Saunders
Soviet Chairman
Warren Manzi
Radio Operator
David Gibson
Garvey
Thom Vegh
Cipola
M.F. Bernier
Colley
Clarence Felder
Picnic Man
Gedda Petry
Marija
Joe Sabia
Durgas
Daniel Williams
Seaman Nance
Michael Stein
Yakov
Joyce Vining Morgan
Mrs. Paegle
Don Wescott
Prosecutor
Jack Lazare
Old KGB Man
Stephen Nuding
Young KGB Man
Kenneth Bradford
Capt. Sloan
Leo Grillo
Thomas
Bok Richardson
Adm. Ritter
William Paul Steele
Cmdr. Sullivan
William Hiney
Art Direction
Details.
Wiki.
The Defection of Simas Kudirka is a 1978 American made-for-television drama film based on actual events, featuring Alan Arkin as Simas Kudirka, a Lithuanian merchant seaman who attempts to defect from the Soviet Union to the United States by jumping onto a U.S. Coast Guard cutter. Among the movie's awards are two Emmys wins and three more Emmy nominations. The movie was directed by David Lowell Rich.