Dogs of War

Dogs of War tells the incredible true story of Dave Tomkins, a seemingly ordinary small-time criminal from England who became one of the world’s most notorious mercenaries and international arms dealers.

Director: David Whitney 

Executive Producer: Alan Clements, Tony Nellany, Mark Thomas 

Production Company: Two Rivers Media 

Commissioner: BBC Storyville 

Main Cast: Dave Tomkins 

Broadcaster: BBC 

Distributor: Sphere Abacus 

Screen Scotland support: The film accessed £50,000 through Screen Scotland’s Film Development and Production Fund.


Synopsis

Dogs of War tells the incredible true story of Dave Tomkins, a seemingly ordinary small-time criminal from England who became one of the world’s most notorious mercenaries and international arms dealers. 

With full access to Dave Tomkins, Dogs of War (1 x 90 min) explores how this former safe blower with an addiction to adventure, ended up on the battlefields of Angola as a mercenary fighting communist-backed guerrillas. 

Wounded by a landmine, Dave returned home and entered the murky world of espionage, setting up mercenary operations, assassinations and huge arms deals. His exploits became legendary as he accumulated great wealth and lived a lavish jet-setting lifestyle, until a highly dangerous mission in America led to his dramatic downfall. 


More information

Image credits: BBC / Two Rivers Media / Julian Schwanitz

Transmission: Dogs of War will air on Sunday 20 October 2024 at 10pm on BBC Scotland.