Backdrop image for movie The Defection of Simas Kudirka

The Defection of Simas Kudirka (1978)

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.

  • TV Movie
  • Drama

Top billed cast

  • Photo of Alan ArkinAlan ArkinSimas Kudirka
  • Photo of Richard JordanRichard JordanCmdr. Edward Devon
  • Photo of Donald PleasenceDonald PleasenceCapt. Vladimir Popov
  • Photo of George DzundzaGeorge DzundzaGruzauskas
  • Photo of John McMartinJohn McMartinPhillip Chadway
  • Photo of Shirley KnightShirley KnightGenna Kudirka
  • Photo of Marvin SilbersherMarvin SilbersherCmdr. Burkalis
  • Photo of Peter EvansPeter EvansMott
  • Photo of Ted ShackelfordTed ShackelfordBlain
  • Photo of Barton HeymanBarton HeymanDr. Paegle

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