Close to 450 Akubra hats were used in the much-anticipated film, which opens today around the country starring Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman.

With a history of Australian hat making dating back more than a century, the craftsmen behind the iconic Akubra brand have taken a step back in time to help create a unique range of period inspired hats.

Akubra managing director Stephen Keir said yesterday: “Knowing we’re a small but recognisable part of what will undoubtedly be Australian cinematic history is fantastic.”

Akubra created 20 new styles of hats under the direction of Sydney headwear specialist Rosie Boylan for the film. Mrs Boylan created striking shaped headwear for the cast and hundreds of extras.

Many of the Akubra hats supplied were hand shaped and aged by Rosie and her team, who also created trims and wide ribbon banding that was typical of the era.

“We made all 450 hats in Kempsey to all sorts of specifications that we don’t normally do, then Rosie dirtied and shaped the hats to suit the characters,” Mr Keir said.

Mrs Boylan’s role was to create a range of strong character looks that carried the epic Hollywood styling of the film.

“We sent fresh, new open-crowned hats off and they then had to make them look like they’d been worn through anything from war to years in the outback,” Mr Keir said.

Akubra will release a new hat to coincide with the movie through the R.M. Williams clothing brand.

R.M. Williams has the licence for all clothing items on the movie.

“Our American outlets have been hearing plenty of good feedback through the media, so we are hoping Akubra will see some of the flow-on effects from the movie,” Mr Keir said.