Two Rivers Media Receives Second BBC Storyville Order

Two Rivers Media has received its second commission from BBC Storyville to tell the true story of Dave Tomkins, a small-time criminal from England who became one of the world’s most notorious mercenaries and international arms dealers.

With full access to Tomkins, Dogs of War will explore how the adventure addict ended up on the battlefields of Angola as a mercenary fighting communist-backed guerrillas, preceding his downfall. The film is supported by Screen Scotland and produced and directed by David Whitney (Killing Escobar).

Dogs of War will be distributed internationally by Sphere Abacus.

Alan Clements, managing director and executive producer of Two Rivers Media, said, “Dave Tomkins’ epic rise and fall is astonishing. Bringing stories like this alive forms a big part of our work and we want to thank Dave, his associates and the men who finally caught him for allowing Two Rivers to bring Dave’s story to the screen for the first time. This is the type of visceral storytelling we love.”

Whitney commented, “However dangerous the opportunity, Dave took it: a mission to kill the President of Togo, secret work for U.S. intelligence, attacking Colombian drug cartels and many more. Who would have thought that this working-class safe blower from London would operate at the heart of this deadly trade for over 30 years? I’m thrilled to be able to tell this story.”

Screen Scotland’s Mark Thomas added, “Screen Scotland is delighted to be supporting Two Rivers with its second Storyville commission, Dogs of War, and congratulate David Whitney on his follow-up to Killing Escobar. Two Rivers continues to deliver quality feature documentaries for network broadcast, firmly rooted in Scotland.”

Jonathan Ford, managing director of Sphere Abacus, said, “Dogs of War gives a snapshot into the world of modern mercenaries and illicit arms trafficking through the story of one man. It’s very rare to get a glimpse into such a covert and dangerous world so we jumped at the chance to be involved with this fantastic project.”