The Defection of Simas Kudirka 46 years old

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.

Credits

The Defection of Simas Kudirka Cast

Name Character
Donald Pleasence He was 58, 75 years old when he died as Captain Vladimir Popov
Alan Arkin He was 43, now 90 years old as Simas Kudirka
George Dzundza He was 32, now 79 years old as Gruzauskas
Richard Jordan He was 40, 56 years old when he died as Commander Edward Devon
John McMartin He was 48, 86 years old when he died as Phillip Chadway
Barton Heyman He was 40, 59 years old when he died as Dr. Paegle
Shirley Knight She was 41, now 88 years old as Genna Kudirka

The Defection of Simas Kudirka Crew

Name Department
John A. Martinelli as Editor. Editing
Bill Hiney as Art Direction. Art
David Lowell Rich as Director. He was 54 (78) years old when He died Directing
Jacques R. Marquette as Director of Photography. He was 62 (84) years old when He died Camera
David Shire as Original Music Composer. He was 40 (now 87) years old Sound
Gerald W. Abrams as Executive Producer. He was 38 (now 85) years old Production
Gerald I. Isenberg as Executive Producer. Production
The Defection of Simas Kudirka poster
The Defection of Simas Kudirka (46 years)

  • Release day: Monday, January 23, 1978
  • Runtime: 100 minutes