Russell Crowe whacks himself in the head with a log, all in the name of art, on the set of new film The Water Diviner

SHOOTING in 50 degree South Australian heat hasn't burnt first time director Russell Crowe's enthusiasm, or sense of humour.

SHOOTING in near 50-degree weather hasn't dampened Russell Crowe's sense of humour.

Crowe is in South Australia's Flinders Ranges making his first film as director, The Water Diviner.

On Thursday, showing off a scene he'd shot days earlier where his character is hit in the head with a log, Crowe quipped those experiencing the whack were in a position "many a journalist would feel privileged" to be in.

As director and leading man, Crowe didn't cut himself any slack, and made himself film the scene five times.

The Gladiator Oscar winner plays an Australian father who travels to Turkey after WWI to find the bodies of his three sons lost in battle.

On set ... Russell Crowe and Ryan Corr filming The Water Diviner in South Australia. Picture: Mark Rogers

"There's something celebratory about Australia in this movie that I couldn't turn away from," he said. "I couldn't not be part of it. I also couldn't not be the one who controls it. I smelt it and I wanted to be the person that brought it to life."

He believes, in a way, that the story picks up where the Australian classic Gallipoli left off - showing the aftermath of war.

"This is what happens to the people who were left back at home. There's a whole bunch of stuff to do with being a father, grief and loss.

"I don't think any part of this narrative glorifies war. The exact opposite."

It got to 49.5 degrees Celsius on set at 3pm yesterday.That is more than a little warm.Back into the oven again today.

The past week has been one of the biggest on The Water Diviner production, largely spent shooting a scene where a train carrying fighters is ambushed, replete with gunshots, explosions and men on horseback.

The outskirts of the town of Quorn is standing in for Turkey, with the tracks and carriages supplied by the local Pichi Richi heritage railway.

Crowe hand-picked his crew and co-stars, including young Australians Ryan Corr (who plays one of his sons) and Jai Courtney, old friends Jacqueline McKenzie and Steve Bastoni, Ukrainian-born beauty Olga Kurylenko and Turkish actors Yilmaz Erdogan and Cem Yilmaz.

The acclaimed actor's transition to director shouldn't come as a surprise.

Russell Crowe stars ... and directs his first film The Water Diviner. Picture: Mark Brake

"Film is in my DNA," Crowe said, while keeping an eye on five different camera monitors. "I did my first TV show when I was six. I've worked in front of a camera since I was a kid and had access over my career to some of the greatest minds who've ever worked in the business."

The film is produced by Troy Lum and Andrew Mason for Hopscotch Features and Keith Rodger for Crowe's own Fear of God Films. Lum marvelled at Crowe's ability to flick between actor and director mode in same scene, while Andrew Mason declared the first timer was doing "bloody well".

The director's responsibilities have so far included everything from approving characters' costumes to negotiating with representatives of the Turkish government to receive permission to film in the country.

The production will move to southern Turkey in March.

Planning a scene ... Russell Crowe in a church at Australia Plains where he is directing his first film The Water Diviner a story of father who searches for his three sons after they fought in Galllipoli. Picture: Mark Brake

Crowe laughed that "if I can rely 1000 per cent on the central character, it does make a lot of other things easier".

All indications are his first time as director won't be his last: "Being the director of a feature film is a great job, I hadn't realised how cool a job it was until I started this."

Crowe was just as enthusiastic at the end of a long, hot working day, asking his team, "When do we get to blow shit up?"

The Water Diviner has already been sold to many international territories on the back of the story and Crowe's appeal. A release date is yet to be set, but it looks likely to reach cinemas in early 2015.

On horseback ... Russell Crowe stars and directs his first film The Water Diviner. Picture: Mark Brake

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