Discover
The Defection of Simas Kudirka is a 1978 American made-for-television drama film based on actual events, featuring Alan Arkin as Simas Kudirka, a Lithuanian merchant seaman in Soviet-era 1970 who attempts to defect to the United States by jumping onto a U.S. Coast Guard cutter. Among the movie's awards are two Emmys and another three Emmy nominations. The movie was directed by David Lowell Rich.
Original Release
01/23/1978
US Release
01/23/1978
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Alan Arkin | Simas Kudirka |
Richard Jordan | Commander Edward Devon / Cmdr. Edward Devon |
Donald Pleasence | Captain Vladimir Popov / Capt. Vladimir Popov |
George Dzundza | Gruzauskas |
John McMartin | Phillip Chadway |
Shirley Knight | Genna Kudirka |
Marvin Silbersher | Commander Burkalis / Cmdr. Burkalis |
Peter Evans | Mott |
Ted Shackelford | Blain |
Barton Heyman | Dr. Paegle |
Directors
Writers
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Alan Arkin | Simas Kudirka |
Richard Jordan | Commander Edward Devon / Cmdr. Edward Devon |
Donald Pleasence | Captain Vladimir Popov / Capt. Vladimir Popov |
George Dzundza | Gruzauskas |
John McMartin | Phillip Chadway |
Shirley Knight | Genna Kudirka |
Marvin Silbersher | Commander Burkalis / Cmdr. Burkalis |
Peter Evans | Mott |
Ted Shackelford | Blain |
Barton Heyman | Dr. Paegle |
Jack Blessing | Kabek |
Nicholas Guest | Baltrunar |
Matthew Arkin | Petras |
Salem Ludwig | Assistant Supervisor |
Donald Warnock | Stender |
Nicholas Saunders | Soviet Chairman |
Warren Manzi | Radio Operator |
David Gibson | Garvey |
Thom Vegh | Cipola |
M.F. Bernier | Colley |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Gerald W. Abrams | Executive Producer |
Gerald I. Isenberg | Executive Producer |
Richard Briggs | Producer |
Bruce J. Sallan | Producer |
Editors
Year | Type | Category | Won |
---|
1978 | Emmy | Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Special (Dramatic Underscore) | Nominated |
1978 | Emmy | Outstanding Directing in a Special Program - Drama or Comedy | Won |
1978 | Emmy | Outstanding Film Editing for a Special | Won |
1978 | Emmy | Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Special | Nominated |
1978 | Emmy | Outstanding Writing in a Special Program - Drama or Comedy - Original Teleplay | Nominated |