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
