Top five romantic heroes

I need a hero!

Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman have certainly set temperatures soaring in their epic blockbuster Australia - and left us girls holding out for a hero of our very own. So to celebrate the men in the movies that make our hearts beat that little bit faster, take a moment to sit back, relax and swoon like a true damsel over our gallery of film\'s top five romantic heroes...

Hugh Jackman in Australia

Complicated, troubled and a loner, Hugh Jackman\'s character in Australia, The Drover, is just the right amount of rugged and tousled to meet every woman\'s fantasy. Dark and brooding Hugh spends half the film on horseback and, if that wasn\'t enough to drive every sane woman wild with desire, the Stetson, checked shirt and Hugh\'s remarkably handsome, unshaven face certainly will.

I need a hero!

Mel Gibson in Braveheart

The wild beauty of the Highlands, an orphaned boy, a man fighting to avenge his dead wife, for truth, justice  - oh, and freedom - a grand passion cut tragically short, a fearless warrior,  epic battles, the soft, Scottish burr...and we could go on.

Braveheart deftly brings together all the very finest ingredients for the making of a true romantic hero and Mel Gibson as William Wallace had us from the moment he donned his kilt and braided his newly long locks.

I need a hero!

Cary Elwes in The Princess Bride

‘Westley. My Westley!\'

We don\'t blame Robin Wright Penn one bit for her damsel-like swooning as the beautiful Buttercup in the Princess Bride - Cary Elwes in his Dread Pirate Roberts get up was certainly a bit of a knee-trembler.

He swash-buckled his way on screen and into our hearts with his passionate declarations of true love, his dashing swordsmanship, heroic feats, wry wit and debonair way of saving the day - and getting the girl.

All together now: ‘As you wish....\'

I need a hero!

Russell Crowe in Gladiator

The general who became a slave who became a gruff \'n\' gorgeous fantasy for the female half of the cinema-going population. Russell Crowe was the ultimate macho, macho man as Maximus Decimus Meridius in Gladiator.  We fell for his irresistible blend of bravery and integrity with the all-important vulnerable streak; add that to sexy stubble and a rather fine leather costume and a new romantic hero was born.

I need a hero!

Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic

A classic rich girl, poor boy tale combined with perhaps the most heart-wrenching love story every made. Who can forget that scene where Jack sketched Kate\'s portrait with her wearing nothing but a whopping great diamond and the steamy window scene - "Where to Miss? - To the stars!"  Like any true hero, Jack gives up his own life to save his one-true love. Now you don\'t get much more romantic than that.