Family support: Estranged wife Danielle Spencer joins Russell Crowe as he brings sons Charlie, 10, and Tennyson, seven, to premiere of 'heavy' film The Water Diviner

His World War I film The Water Diviner, tells the tale of a father's desperate plight to find his sons after they go missing amid the chaos of battle.

And arriving at the world premiere in Sydney on Tuesday evening, Russell Crowe had his own children Charlie 10, and Tennyson, seven, by his side.

The Academy Award winning actor, who looked dapper in a black tuxedo and bow tie, was also accompanied by his estranged wife Danielle Spencer who was in attendance to support his directorial debut.

A family affair: Russell Crowe attended the world premiere of his WWI film The Water Diviner alongside his two sons Charlie, 10, and Tennyson, seven

Supportive: The actor's estranged wife Danielle Spencer was also in attendance to support his directorial debut

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia from the red carpet, which was rolled out in front of the State Theatre in Market Street, Russell, 50, said it was 'really good' to have his family in tow and felt it was important to bring his boys along.

'Hopefully they don't get too freaked out because it is a pretty serious story,' he said.

'They've seen enough of it to know how heavy it gets though, and the way I look at it is that there's no sex, there's no nudity in this movie, there's no swearing. 

'Yeah, it's a very serious subject matter but it's stuff that I think that they should learn and I'm absolutely willing to discuss with them whatever parts of the movie come up.'

Dressed to impress: The 50-year-old star looked dapper in a black tuxedo and bow tie while Danielle stunned in a lacy blush number with an open back by local designer Pallas Couture 

Cool: The Australian actor sported an generous amount of neatly groomed facial hair and kept a pair of aviator sunglasses firmly in place

Mini-mes: Tennyson was adorable in a tailored suit and tie while his older brother wore a vest and bow tie like his father

New role: The Water Diviner is Russell's debut film as a director 

The Australian star also explained how his experience as a parent influenced his directorial decisions saying: 'People have been asking, what part of being a parent have you brought into this film, well once you're a parent, that dominates everything you do in your life.

'Once you're a dad or you're a mum, and as every mum and dad knows, life changes around that.' 

Dressed to impress in a sharp suit jacket and crisp white shirt, Russell looked leaps and bounds from the tracksuit-wearing man who appeared on Sunday Night at the weekend.

Keeping a pair of aviator shades in place, he sported a generous amount of neatly groomed facial hair and wore his mop of brunette hair in a messy, boyish style.

Meanwhile his estranged wife Danielle, whose father Don was also at the screening, was elegant in a blush pink Pallas Couture frock with a conservative neckline and daring open back.

Pretty in pink: Danielle walked behind her boys as they followed their father down the red carpet

Doting dad: Rusty smiled affectionately as he ushered his boys through the crowd

Tight knit: They made a handsome trio with Russell holding his Charlie's hand while placing another on his youngest's back

Russell Crowe discusses directorial debut on Sydney red carpet

The lacy number hugged the mother-of-two's toned physique and she added extra height to her petite frame with a vertiginous pair of nude stiletto heels.

Ever the blonde bombshell, she styled her shoulder-length locks into loose waves and applied lashings of pale pink lipstick to complete her beauty look.

The singer's two boys also scrubbed up for the occasion with her eldest Charlie mirroring his famous father's style in a neat gilet and spotted bow tie.

His younger brother Tennyson, who is the spitting image of his mother, opted for a jacket instead and wore a black tie with his dark grey tailored suit. 

Doting dad Russell ushered the boys through the crowds which had gathered to catch a glimpse of the star.

With one hand clasped in Charlie's, the Gladiator star gently placed the other on Tennyson's back, while Danielle trailed a short way behind.

Following their lead: The State Theatre played host to two other Hollywood heavyweights last month when Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt also walked the red carpet

Perfectly behaved: Tennyson waited patiently as his famous father met with fans 

Scrubbed up: Looking just like his mum Danielle, his hair was neatly combed and his blazer buttoned 

Stunning: The film's leading lady Olga Kurylenko wore a floaty mint green gown to the evening event

The film's other stars, Australian actor Jai Courtney, model Megan Gale and former Bond girl Olga Kurylenko, also made glamorous red carpet appearances with new mother Megan stealing the show in a tight-fitting LBD.

The figure-hugging design showed off the raven-haired beauties trim post baby body and even revealed a portion of her midriff with a cut-out underneath her bust.

She didn't linger long at the entrance however, and made a brief appearance before ducking inside the theatre.

Lead actor and director Russell was quite the opposite and dedicated time to speak with fans, take photos and sign autographs.

Eager supporters lined the streets of the iconic Sydney venue to catch a glimpse of the New Zealand born actor with many Rabbitohs fans draped in the green and red trying to catch his eye. 

Blonde bombshell: Danielle led the style stakes in her midi-length frock and towering nude pumps 

Flashing flesh: New mother Megan Gale has a small role in the film and arrived at the premiere in a sultry cut-out dress

Belle of the ball: Brunette beauty Olga's whimsical frock highlighted her waif-like frame

Billowing: She twirled around, holding the layers of the cross-over, halter designe

Russell Crowe behind the scenes on The Water Diviner

Back in Sydney for the world premiere, the Hollywood heavyweight told veteran Channel Nine entertainment reporter Richard Wilkinson 'it feels really good' to be opening the movie on home soil, adding: 'It's a really exciting moment for me, deeply exciting actually.'

The esteemed actor also seemed to hint that he only took up a starring role in the film to keep production costs low.

'It was a great experience, [but] obviously you'd prefer probably not to have the dual responsibilities,' he said of directing and acting in the film.

'But at this point in time and the realities of the market place, that's the way I was able to achieve a budget good enough to make the movie.' 

The film is Russell's directorial debut and sees him playing a devastated widower called Joshua Connor who wants to find out the fate of his three sons who went missing in action in Turkey. 

They have not been seen since the bloody battle at Gallipoli in 1919 and his character, a Victorian farmer, travels to the Dardanelles to try and locate them - or give them a proper burial.

Suited up: Australian actor Jai Courtney looked smart in his tuxedo

Sixties chic: Pregnant Wonderland star Emma Lung showed off her blossoming baby bump

Flying solo: The Bachelor 2013 winner Anna Heinrick was without her beau Tim Robards

Lovely ladies: Mornings host Kylie Gillies and newsreader Sandra Sully were among the celebrity guests

Handsome duo: Russell posed with his arm around Former Bond girl Olga on the red carpet

The graphic battle field flashbacks are not for the faint-hearted, with scenes depicting maimed soldiers in the trenches crying for their mothers and salvation. 

Russell has always had an interest in wars and history and his maternal grandfather was a cinematographer who was named an MBE for filming footage of World War II. 

'We're coming up on the hundredth anniversary of the battle of Galipoli so there's going to be a lot of discussion about it, a lot of expressions of respect coming in the next couple of months,' he told Channel Nine.

'So it's probably time to put something like this in front of people so they're discussing it from a slightly different perspective.'

Russell isn't alone in feeling the need for a creative endeavours with two other Australian productions, Deadline Gallipoli and ANZAC Girls centred around the battle also being released in time for the anniversary.  

Brunette stunner: Megan worked the camera like a pro as she posed for the flashbulbs

First child together: My Kitchen Rules judge Manu Feildel was beaming as he laid his hand on his pregnant love Clarissa Weerasena's stomach

They've come a long way: Russell was accompanied by his former Spyforce co-star Jack Thompson

Sequined star: Kerri-Anne Kennerley was a burst of colour in a shimmering pink frock and embellished heels

Russell and Danielle met while filming 1990 flick The Crossing, together and had an on-off relationship until marrying on Russell's birthday in 2003. They split in 2012 after nine years of marriage.

The duo remain on friendly terms and although he recently referred to her as his ex-wife, they have not yet divorced.

Danielle praised the actor's generous nature just last month, telling Daily Mail Australia his referencing her as a 'beautiful woman' in a recent interview was 'typical of Russell'.

'It was lovely. I thought it was quite a touching thing to say,' she said.

I Married A Beautiful Woman: Crowe after Rabbitohs win

Family support: Estranged wife Danielle Spencer joins Russell Crowe as he brings sons Charlie, 10, and Tennyson, seven, to premiere of 'heavy' film The Water Diviner By Bianca Soldani and Erin Van Der Meer for Daily Mail Australia Published: 08:16 GMT, 2 December 2014 | Updated: 11:34 GMT, 2 December 2014 10 shares 20 View comments His World War I film The Water Diviner, tells the tale of a father's desperate plight to find his sons after they go missing amid the chaos of battle. And arriving at the world premiere in Sydney on Tuesday evening, Russell Crowe had his own children Charlie 10, and Tennyson, seven, by his side. The Academy Award winning actor, who looked dapper in a black tuxedo and bow tie, was also accompanied by his estranged wife Danielle Spencer who was in attendance to support his directorial debut. Scroll down for video A family affair: Russell Crowe attended the world premiere of his WWI film The Water Diviner alongside his two sons Charlie, 10, and Tennyson, seven +33 A family affair: Russell Crowe attended the world premiere of his WWI film The Water Diviner alongside his two sons Charlie, 10, and Tennyson, seven Supportive: The actor's estranged wife Danielle Spencer was also in attendance to support his directorial debut +33 Supportive: The actor's estranged wife Danielle Spencer was also in attendance to support his directorial debut Speaking to Daily Mail Australia from the red carpet, which was rolled out in front of the State Theatre in Market Street, Russell, 50, said it was 'really good' to have his family in tow and felt it was important to bring his boys along. 'Hopefully they don't get too freaked out because it is a pretty serious story,' he said. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next THE WATER DIVINER WORLD PREMIERE AT THE STATE THEATRE IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 'I learned a lot via osmosis being around him': Actor Jai... RUSSELL CROWE ATTENDS THE WATER DIVINER WORLD PREMIERE AT THE STATE THEATRE IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA\n2 December 2014\n©MEDIA-MODE.COM Doesn’t he scrub up well! After turning up to an interview... THE WATER DIVINER WORLD PREMIERE AT THE STATE THEATRE IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Megan Gale Va va voom! Megan Gale ramps up the Hollywood glamour with... THE WATER DIVINER WORLD PREMIERE AT THE STATE THEATRE IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Danielle Spencer Pump up the volume! Danielle Spencer transforms into blonde... Share this article Share 'They've seen enough of it to know how heavy it gets though, and the way I look at it is that there's no sex, there's no nudity in this movie, there's no swearing. 'Yeah, it's a very serious subject matter but it's stuff that I think that they should learn and I'm absolutely willing to discuss with them whatever parts of the movie come up.' Dressed to impress: The 50-year-old star looked dapper in a black tuxedo and bow tie while Danielle stunned in a lacy blush number with an open back +33 Dressed to impress: The 50-year-old star looked dapper in a black tuxedo and bow tie while Danielle stunned in a lacy blush number with an open back by local designer Pallas Couture +33 Dressed to impress: The 50-year-old star looked dapper in a black tuxedo and bow tie while Danielle stunned in a lacy blush number with an open back by local designer Pallas Couture Cool: The Australian actor sported an generous amount of neatly groomed facial hair and kept a pair of aviator sunglasses firmly in place +33 Cool: The Australian actor sported an generous amount of neatly groomed facial hair and kept a pair of aviator sunglasses firmly in place Mini-mes: Tennyson was adorable in a tailored suit and tie while his older brother wore a vest and bow tie like his father +33 Mini-mes: Tennyson was adorable in a tailored suit and tie while his older brother wore a vest and bow tie like his father New role: The Water Diviner is Russell's debut film as a director +33 New role: The Water Diviner is Russell's debut film as a director The Australian star also explained how his experience as a parent influenced his directorial decisions saying: 'People have been asking, what part of being a parent have you brought into this film, well once you're a parent, that dominates everything you do in your life. 'Once you're a dad or you're a mum, and as every mum and dad knows, life changes around that.' Dressed to impress in a sharp suit jacket and crisp white shirt, Russell looked leaps and bounds from the tracksuit-wearing man who appeared on Sunday Night at the weekend. Keeping a pair of aviator shades in place, he sported a generous amount of neatly groomed facial hair and wore his mop of brunette hair in a messy, boyish style. Meanwhile his estranged wife Danielle, whose father Don was also at the screening, was elegant in a blush pink Pallas Couture frock with a conservative neckline and daring open back. Pretty in pink: Danielle walked behind her boys as they followed their father down the red carpet +33 Pretty in pink: Danielle walked behind her boys as they followed their father down the red carpet Doting dad: Rusty smiled affectionately as he ushered his boys through the crowd +33 Doting dad: Rusty smiled affectionately as he ushered his boys through the crowd +33 Doting dad: Rusty smiled affectionately as he ushered his boys through the crowd Tight knit: They made a handsome trio with Russell holding his Charlie's hand while placing another on his youngest's back +33 Tight knit: They made a handsome trio with Russell holding his Charlie's hand while placing another on his youngest's back Russell Crowe discusses directorial debut on Sydney red carpet The lacy number hugged the mother-of-two's toned physique and she added extra height to her petite frame with a vertiginous pair of nude stiletto heels. Ever the blonde bombshell, she styled her shoulder-length locks into loose waves and applied lashings of pale pink lipstick to complete her beauty look. The singer's two boys also scrubbed up for the occasion with her eldest Charlie mirroring his famous father's style in a neat gilet and spotted bow tie. His younger brother Tennyson, who is the spitting image of his mother, opted for a jacket instead and wore a black tie with his dark grey tailored suit. Doting dad Russell ushered the boys through the crowds which had gathered to catch a glimpse of the star. With one hand clasped in Charlie's, the Gladiator star gently placed the other on Tennyson's back, while Danielle trailed a short way behind. Following their lead: The State Theatre played host to two other Hollywood heavyweights last month when Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt also walked the red carpet +33 Following their lead: The State Theatre played host to two other Hollywood heavyweights last month when Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt also walked the red carpet Perfectly behaved: Tennyson waited patiently as his famous father met with fans +33 Perfectly behaved: Tennyson waited patiently as his famous father met with fans Scrubbed up: Looking just like his mum Danielle, his hair was neatly combed and his blazer buttoned +33 Scrubbed up: Looking just like his mum Danielle, his hair was neatly combed and his blazer buttoned Stunning: The film's leading lady Olga Kurylenko wore a floaty mint green gown to the evening event +33 Stunning: The film's leading lady Olga Kurylenko wore a floaty mint green gown to the evening event The film's other stars, Australian actor Jai Courtney, model Megan Gale and former Bond girl Olga Kurylenko, also made glamorous red carpet appearances with new mother Megan stealing the show in a tight-fitting LBD. The figure-hugging design showed off the raven-haired beauties trim post baby body and even revealed a portion of her midriff with a cut-out underneath her bust. She didn't linger long at the entrance however, and made a brief appearance before ducking inside the theatre. Lead actor and director Russell was quite the opposite and dedicated time to speak with fans, take photos and sign autographs. Eager supporters lined the streets of the iconic Sydney venue to catch a glimpse of the New Zealand born actor with many Rabbitohs fans draped in the green and red trying to catch his eye. Blonde bombshell: Danielle led the style stakes in her midi-length frock and towering nude pumps +33 Blonde bombshell: Danielle led the style stakes in her midi-length frock and towering nude pumps +33 Blonde bombshell: Danielle led the style stakes in her midi-length frock and towering nude pumps Flashing flesh: New mother Megan Gale has a small role in the film and arrived at the premiere in a sultry cut-out dress +33 Flashing flesh: New mother Megan Gale has a small role in the film and arrived at the premiere in a sultry cut-out dress Belle of the ball: Brunette beauty Olga's whimsical frock highlighted her waif-like frame +33 Belle of the ball: Brunette beauty Olga's whimsical frock highlighted her waif-like frame +33 Belle of the ball: Brunette beauty Olga's whimsical frock highlighted her waif-like frame Billowing: She twirled around, holding the layers of the cross-over, halter designe +33 Billowing: She twirled around, holding the layers of the cross-over, halter designe Russell Crowe behind the scenes on The Water Diviner Back in Sydney for the world premiere, the Hollywood heavyweight told veteran Channel Nine entertainment reporter Richard Wilkinson 'it feels really good' to be opening the movie on home soil, adding: 'It's a really exciting moment for me, deeply exciting actually.' The esteemed actor also seemed to hint that he only took up a starring role in the film to keep production costs low. 'It was a great experience, [but] obviously you'd prefer probably not to have the dual responsibilities,' he said of directing and acting in the film. 'But at this point in time and the realities of the market place, that's the way I was able to achieve a budget good enough to make the movie.' The film is Russell's directorial debut and sees him playing a devastated widower called Joshua Connor who wants to find out the fate of his three sons who went missing in action in Turkey. They have not been seen since the bloody battle at Gallipoli in 1919 and his character, a Victorian farmer, travels to the Dardanelles to try and locate them - or give them a proper burial. Suited up: Australian actor Jai Courtney looked smart in his tuxedo +33 Suited up: Australian actor Jai Courtney looked smart in his tuxedo +33 +33 Sixties chic: Pregnant Wonderland star Emma Lung showed off her blossoming baby bump Flying solo: The Bachelor 2013 winner Anna Heinrick was without her beau Tim Robards +33 Flying solo: The Bachelor 2013 winner Anna Heinrick was without her beau Tim Robards +33 Lovely ladies: The Bachelor 2013 winner Anna Heinrick and newsreader Sandra Sully were among the celebrity guests +33 Lovely ladies: Mornings host Kylie Gillies and newsreader Sandra Sully were among the celebrity guests Handsome duo: Russell posed with his arm around Former Bond girl Olga on the red carpet +33 Handsome duo: Russell posed with his arm around Former Bond girl Olga on the red carpet The graphic battle field flashbacks are not for the faint-hearted, with scenes depicting maimed soldiers in the trenches crying for their mothers and salvation. Russell has always had an interest in wars and history and his maternal grandfather was a cinematographer who was named an MBE for filming footage of World War II. 'We're coming up on the hundredth anniversary of the battle of Galipoli so there's going to be a lot of discussion about it, a lot of expressions of respect coming in the next couple of months,' he told Channel Nine. 'So it's probably time to put something like this in front of people so they're discussing it from a slightly different perspective.' Russell isn't alone in feeling the need for a creative endeavours with two other Australian productions, Deadline Gallipoli and ANZAC Girls centred around the battle also being released in time for the anniversary. Brunette stunner: Megan worked the camera like a pro as she posed for the flashbulbs +33 Brunette stunner: Megan worked the camera like a pro as she posed for the flashbulbs First child together: My Kitchen Rules judge Manu Feildel was beaming as he laid his hand on his pregnant love Clarissa Weerasena's stomach +33 First child together: My Kitchen Rules judge Manu Feildel was beaming as he laid his hand on his pregnant love Clarissa Weerasena's stomach They've come a long way: Russell was accompanied by his former Spyforce co-star Jack Thompson +33 They've come a long way: Russell was accompanied by his former Spyforce co-star Jack Thompson +33 They've come a long way: Russell was accompanied by his former Spyforce co-star Jack Thompson Sequined star: Kerri-Anne Kennerley was a burst of colour in a shimmering pink frock and embellished heels +33 Sequined star: Kerri-Anne Kennerley was a burst of colour in a shimmering pink frock and embellished heels Russell and Danielle met while filming 1990 flick The Crossing, together and had an on-off relationship until marrying on Russell's birthday in 2003. They split in 2012 after nine years of marriage. The duo remain on friendly terms and although he recently referred to her as his ex-wife, they have not yet divorced. Danielle praised the actor's generous nature just last month, telling Daily Mail Australia his referencing her as a 'beautiful woman' in a recent interview was 'typical of Russell'. 'It was lovely. I thought it was quite a touching thing to say,' she said. I Married A Beautiful Woman: Crowe after Rabbitohs win Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2857082/Family-support-Estranged-wife-Danielle-Spencer-joins-Russell-Crowe-brings-sons-Charlie-10-Tennyson-seven-premiere-heavy-film-Water-Diviner.html#ixzz3Kk9t067J Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook