Development
Producer Alan Ladd Jr. initially had the project at MGM-Pathé Communications when he picked up the script from Wallace.[8] When Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) was going through new management in 1993, Ladd left the studio and took some of its top properties, including Braveheart.[9] Gibson came across the script and even though he liked it, he initially passed on it. However, the thought of it kept coming back to him, and he ultimately decided to take on the project.[8] Terry Gilliam was offered to direct the film, but he declined.[10] Gibson was initially interested in directing only and considered Brad Pitt in the role of Sir William Wallace, but later reluctantly agreed to play Wallace as well.[3] He also considered Jason Patric for the role.[11] Sean Connery was approached to play King Edward, but he declined due to other commitments.[12] Gibson said that Connery's pronunciation of "Goulash" helped him for the Scottish accent for the film.[13]
Gibson (right) on set with 20th Century Fox executive Scott NeesonGibson and his production company, Icon Productions, had difficulty raising enough money for the film. Warner Bros. was willing to fund the project on the condition that Gibson sign for another Lethal Weapon sequel, which he refused. Gibson eventually gained enough financing for the film, with Paramount Pictures financing a third of the budget in exchange for North American distribution rights to the film, and 20th Century Fox putting up the other two-thirds in exchange for international distribution rights.[14][3]
Filming
Principal photography on the film began on June 6, 1994.[4] While the crew spent three weeks shooting on location in Scotland, the major battle scenes were shot in Ireland using members of the Irish Army Reserve as extras. To lower costs, Gibson had the same extras, up to 1,600 in some scenes, portray both armies. The reservists had been given permission to grow beards and swapped their military uniforms for medieval garb.[15] Principal photography ended on October 28, 1994.[4] The film was shot in the anamorphic format with Panavision C- and E-Series lenses.[16] Gibson also later said that while filming a battle scene a horse nearly "killed him" but his stunt double was able to save him as the horse fell.[17]
Gibson had to tone down the film's battle scenes to avoid an NC-17 rating from the MPAA; the final version was rated R for "brutal medieval warfare".[18] Gibson and editor Steven Rosenblum initially had a film at 195 minutes, but Sherry Lansing, who was the head of Paramount at the time, requested Gibson and Rosenblum to cut the film down to 177 minutes.[19] According to Gibson in a 2016 interview with Collider, there is a four-hour version of the film, and he would be interested in reassembling it if both Paramount and Fox are interested.[20]
