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.
Director: David Lowell Rich
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Alan Arkin as Simas Kudirka |
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Richard Jordan as Cmdr. Edward Devon |
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Donald Pleasence as Capt. Vladimir Popov |
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George Dzundza as Gruzauskas |
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John McMartin as Phillip Chadway |
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Shirley Knight as Genna Kudirka |
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Marvin Silbersher as Cmdr. Burkalis |
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Peter Evans as Mott |
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Ted Shackelford as Blain |
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Barton Heyman as Dr. Paegle |
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Jack Blessing as Kabek |
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Nicholas Guest as Baltrunar |
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Matthew Arkin as Petras |
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Salem Ludwig as Assistant Supervisor |
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Donald Warnock as Stender |
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Nicholas Saunders as Soviet Chairman |
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Warren Manzi as Radio Operator |
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David Gibson as Garvey |
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Thom Vegh as Cipola |
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M.F. Bernier as Colley |
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Clarence Felder as Picnic Man |
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Gedda Petry as Marija |
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Joe Sabia as Durgas |
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Daniel Williams as Seaman Nance |
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Michael Stein as Yakov |
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Joyce Vining Morgan as Mrs. Paegle |
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Don Wescott as Prosecutor |
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Jack Lazare as Old KGB Man |
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Stephen Nuding as Young KGB Man |
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Kenneth Bradford as Capt. Sloan |
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Leo Grillo as Thomas |
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Bok Richardson as Adm. Ritter |
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William Paul Steele as Cmdr. Sullivan |
| Writing | Bruce Feldman | Writer |
| Directing | David Lowell Rich | Director |
| Production | Richard Briggs | Producer |
| Production | Gerald W. Abrams | Executive Producer |
| Sound | David Shire | Original Music Composer |
| Editing | John A. Martinelli | Editor |
| Sound | Richard Lapham | Music Editor |
| Camera | Jacques R. Marquette | Director of Photography |
| Art | William Hiney | Art Direction |
| Production | Gerald I. Isenberg | Executive Producer |
