The Defection of Simas Kudirka

The story

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

A Alan ArkinSimas Kudirka R Richard JordanCmdr. Edward Devon D Donald PleasenceCapt. Vladimir Popov G George DzundzaGruzauskas J John McMartinPhillip Chadway S Shirley KnightGenna Kudirka M Marvin SilbersherCmdr. Burkalis P Peter EvansMott T Ted ShackelfordBlain B Barton HeymanDr. Paegle J Jack BlessingKabek N Nicholas GuestBaltrunar

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M Matthew ArkinPetras S Salem LudwigAssistant Supervisor D Donald WarnockStender N Nicholas SaundersSoviet Chairman W Warren ManziRadio Operator D David GibsonGarvey T Thom VeghCipola M M.F. BernierColley C Clarence FelderPicnic Man G Gedda PetryMarija J Joe SabiaDurgas D Daniel WilliamsSeaman Nance M Michael SteinYakov J Joyce Vining MorganMrs. Paegle D Don WescottProsecutor J Jack LazareOld KGB Man S Stephen NudingYoung KGB Man K Kenneth BradfordCapt. Sloan L Leo GrilloThomas B Bok RichardsonAdm. Ritter W William Paul SteeleCmdr. Sullivan