Mel Gibson cast himself in the role of McLeod only after he was unable to find any other satisfactory actor willing to take the part.
The scene between Justin and Charles on the mountain overlooking the water, was filmed on Bradbury Mountain, located in Pownal, Maine. Because of the steep fall to the water, the mountain has had, for many years, a protective fence on the side facing the water. The filmmakers took down the fence prior to filming and replaced it afterward.