Director Rob Reiner has revealed that the fates of characters Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) were almost the polar opposite of what was eventually shown on screen.
Speaking to People TV’s Couch Surfing, he revealed that – until the very last minute – the plan was for the pair to NOT get together.
“I was single for ten years and making a mess of my personal life, in and out of relationships and not being able to make anything work,” he said.
“The first draft of the script — or the draft we were going to shoot — Harry and Sally weren’t going to get together.
“They meet each other years later and then walk separate ways.”
Reiner met future wife Michele Singer while filming, leading to him and writer Nora Ephron having a change of heart.
“We changed the ending and this is what we came up with,” he added.
Released in 1989, When Harry Met Sally earned $92.8 million at the box office against a budget of just $16 million.
It remains one of the best-known films in both Ryan and Crystal’s careers; and also boasted a memorable supporting turn from the late Carrie Fisher.
On Rotten Tomatoes, it still has a 90% score from critics; and at the time it had an Oscar nomination and five Golden Globe nods.
One moment in particular – Ryan’s Sally faking an orgasm in a restaurant – has become one of the most iconic in cinema history.
Ephron revealed in an interview in 2004 that it was the actress’s idea; adding that in test screenings the women were in hysterical laughter while men were silent.
That scene, Reiner revealed, was shot many times and Ryan had to fake orgasms for hours on end.
“It started in rehearsal, where Nora Ephron [the screenwriter], who was so great, said to Rob [Reiner], ‘You know, women fake orgasms’,” Crystal revealed in an interview in 2013.
“He was, like, shocked — ‘Well, they haven’t faked one with me!’
“In the rehearsal, Meg said, ‘I should fake one. I should fake it in a public place,’ And I said, ‘Yeah, like a restaurant with a lot of people.’
“And she said, ‘I’ll give a huge one.’ And I said, ‘And then there should be an older woman who says, ‘Waiter, I’ll have what she’s having’’.”