Two home-grown Hollywood heavyweights have walked the red carpet in Sydney, at the Australian Premiere of Les Miserables overnight.

Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe clearly relished the chance to mingle with local fans on home soil.

Director Tom Hooper's new version of Les Miserables has already received enormously positive reviews.

Jackman's performance as Jean Valjean has been touted as a cinematic highlight.

'The absolute triple threat: the singing, dancing, acting dude' said co-star Russell Crowe.

Crowe and Jackman have said that their respect for each grew enormously during their work together in 'the trenches' of the set.

Crowe admitted that he relished the chance to see jackman at work, and studied how he responded to the pressure of film-making.

The film, which is already generating plenty of Oscar buzz, opens in Australia on Boxing Day.