The Defection of Simas Kudirka (TV 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, ... See full summary » Director:David Lowell RichWriter:Bruce Feldman |
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Title: The Defection of Simas Kudirka (TV 1978)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Alan Arkin | ... |
Simas Kudirka
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| Richard Jordan | ... |
Commander Edward Devon
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| Donald Pleasence | ... |
Captain Vladimir Popov
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| George Dzundza | ... |
Gruzauskas
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| John McMartin | ... |
Phillip Chadway
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| Shirley Knight | ... |
Genna Kudirka
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Marvin Silbersher | ... |
Commander Burkalis
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Peter Evans | ... |
Mott
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Ted Shackelford | ... |
Blain
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Barton Heyman | ... |
Dr. Paegle
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| Jack Blessing | ... |
Kabek
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| Nicholas Guest | ... |
Baltrunar
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| Matthew Arkin | ... |
Petras
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Salem Ludwig | ... |
Assistant Supervisor
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| Donald Warnock | ... |
Stender
(as Don Warnock Jr.)
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
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. Written by Steve Bulota
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DramaParents Guide:
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
23 January 1978 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
La deserción de Simas Kudirka See more »Company Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1
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[running up some steps; an officer opens up a door to what appears to be a closet]
Simas Kudirka: Hello! I am here! Thank you!
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Did You Know?
Goofs
During Mr. Chadway's yelling in his officer of what has happened, for over five seconds, we can see what appears to be the boom mic hanging just in frame overhead. A couple minutes later when letting some guests in, on the left, upward, we can see what appears to be another piece of filming equipment. See more »Quotes
Commander Edward Devon: Where is he?[running up some steps; an officer opens up a door to what appears to be a closet]
Simas Kudirka: Hello! I am here! Thank you!
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The Defection of Simas Kudirka is a made-for television movie based on the actual defection of a Lithuanian sailor to a U.S. Coast Guard cutter in 1970. Simas Kudirka, played by Alan Arkin, jumps ship only to be returned to the Soviet ship by force. After spending time in a Soviet prison, Kudirka is allowed to immigrate to the United States after it is learned that his mother was born in New York.
The movie nicely details the political and military ramifications from the fallout of one of the most shameful episodes in Coast Guard history. I was a sailor on board one of the two Coast Guard cutters involved in the filming of the movie in 1977. The movie was filmed in Portsmouth, NH, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery Maine, and off the coast of New Hampshire and southern Maine. The final scene shows Simas Kudirka (Arkin) and his wife Genna (Shirley Knight) reviewing the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant, the ship onto which Kudirka jumped. The actual ship shown in the movie was the USCGC Decisive at its home port of New Castle, NH.