Mel Gibson was initially hesitant to both direct and star in the picture. However, he was convinced to do both and production went underway. Gibson's wild personality on-screen brings a validity to the nature of a character like William Wallace who lived in a time that is not close to that of our present day and therefore separates the audience from understanding the issues in Wallace's time. Still, Gibson's presence brings the reality of the fears of any man of any time. And finds his strength to do what is right in the face of injustice.
Gibson portrays this through the film - Wallace's overcoming of the agony of a tyrannical ruler set to keep his power. We see it in Wallace's control, in particular during his torture at the end of the film, to remain steadfast to his belief that Scotland must be free. Wallace is tortured until he is finally killed, but he won't bend his knee to the English monarch. Gibson portrays the realities of tyranny as those on the side of the King can even invoke a crowd to enjoy the torture of Wallace. But through Wallace's resistance he creates a tribe of people that cannot witness the horror any further and call for Wallace to ask for mercy. But all he has on his lips if "freedom". And with that Wallace is forever silenced.
The director reveals the truth of what it takes to stand against a monarchy that is unjust and the character takes on the suffering of Christ in that he will not trade his life for the life of millions. This very sacrifice is the point of the film, which is made completely clear by Gibson.
