Poster of The Defection of Simas Kudirka

The Defection of Simas Kudirka

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

Original Language: en

Genres: TV Movie Drama

Rating:

Popularity:

1.29

No trailer available for this movie.

Cast Members

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

Marvin Silbersher

Cmdr. Burkalis

Barton Heyman

Dr. Paegle

Salem Ludwig

Assistant Supervisor

Nicholas Saunders

Soviet Chairman

Warren Manzi

Radio Operator

Daniel Williams

Seaman Nance

Don Wescott

Prosecutor

Jack Lazare

Old KGB Man

Stephen Nuding

Young KGB Man

Kenneth Bradford

Capt. Sloan

Bok Richardson

Adm. Ritter

William Paul Steele

Cmdr. Sullivan