The Black-Bearded Barbarian – of Taiwan

A Story of Faith, Fearlessness, and an Unbreakable Bond Between Canada and Taiwan

Produced with the participation of OMNI Television, The Black-Bearded Barbarian is a powerful 60-minute documentary that tells the inspiring story of Canadian missionary George Leslie Mackay — a man who arrived in 19th-century Taiwan as an outsider and became one of its most beloved figures.

Directed by Susan Papp and written by Allen Abel, this visually stunning film blends dramatic re-enactments, rare archival images, and expert interviews to paint a vivid portrait of Mackay’s extraordinary life. Filmed on location in Taiwan’s breathtaking mountains, it traces his journey from a rural Ontario upbringing to becoming a fearless pioneer in education, medicine, and intercultural understanding.

Despite being reviled as a “barbarian” by many in his early years, Mackay’s deep commitment to the people of Taiwan — including his marriage to a local woman and his campaign against racism in Canada — transformed his legacy. He founded schools, clinics, and churches that still thrive today, and is remembered not just as a missionary, but as a prophet and national figure in Taiwan.

This film explores how Mackay’s radical compassion, cross-cultural empathy, and unwavering spirit helped shape a new kind of Canadian identity — one defined by respect, inclusion, and moral courage.

“I think we can look back at Mackay and say he is the finest Canadian of his generation.”
— Dr. Alvyn Austin

“His followers didn’t see him as a foreign missionary. They saw him as a prophet.”
— Prof. Jim Rohrer