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The Defection of Simas Kudirka
First aired on Jan 23, 1978
60%

Genres: TV Movie, Drama

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.

Featured Cast: click image to view more
Alan Arkin | Simas Kudirka
Richard Jordan | Cmdr. Edward Devon
Donald Pleasence | Capt. Vladimir Popov
George Dzundza | Gruzauskas
John McMartin | Phillip Chadway
Shirley Knight | Genna Kudirka
Featured Crew
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Bruce Feldman | Writer
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David Lowell Rich | Director
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Gerald W. Abrams | Executive Producer
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William Hiney | Art Direction
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Jacques R. Marquette | Director of Photography
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David Shire | Original Music Composer