The Defection of Simas Kudirka [257437] Released: 1978-01-23 Revenue: $0 Budget: $0 Profit: $0 Runtime: 100 mins Popularity: 0.9175 Vote Average: 6 Vote Count: 1 Overview: 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 [33] Alan ArkinSimas Kudirka Richard JordanCmdr. Edward Dev Donald PleasenceCapt. Vladimir P George DzundzaGruzauskas John McMartinPhillip Chadway Shirley KnightGenna Kudirka Marvin SilbersherCmdr. Burkalis Peter EvansMott Ted ShackelfordBlain Barton HeymanDr. Paegle Jack BlessingKabek Nicholas GuestBaltrunar Matthew ArkinPetras Salem LudwigAssistant Superv Donald WarnockStender Nicholas SaundersSoviet Chairman Warren ManziRadio Operator David GibsonGarvey Thom VeghCipola M.F. BernierColley Clarence FelderPicnic Man Gedda PetryMarija Joe SabiaDurgas Daniel WilliamsSeaman Nance Michael SteinYakov Joyce Vining MorganMrs. Paegle Don WescottProsecutor Jack LazareOld KGB Man Stephen NudingYoung KGB Man Kenneth BradfordCapt. Sloan Leo GrilloThomas Bok RichardsonAdm. Ritter William Paul SteeleCmdr. Sullivan Trailers