Back around 1980-ish, HBO aired a fantasy/fiction movie about a land that cherishes “the one” who is the greatest warrior of all.  The protagonist is obsessed with becoming the successor to this greatest warrior, and even has a brief amiable encounter with him near the beginning (and end?) of the film.

Some details I recall:

The existing greatest warrior was very humble, would travel as a lone nomad, and had a tiny single bell wedged between two of his toes that would make a slight jingle as he walked.

The protagonist faced a succession of trials, each teaching him a lesson of how to become “greater”.  Some of the trials and lessons included:

* He learned that an enemy should never be allowed to “make a circle about you”.  In other words, always face the enemy.

* He encountered a man who willingly sat in a giant cauldron, in the middle of a desert, who used the chemicals in the cauldron to attempt to dissolve his own body.  The lesson was something about resisting self-loathing.

At the very end of the film the protagonist finally earned the right to be the successor and newest master warrior of the world.  With his new title, it was his prerogative to read a mythical book that contained the secret of power.  He eagerly took the book and opened it even though none of his predecessors had ever exercised the privilege to read the book.  He was stunned to discover that every page was simply a mirror that showed his own reflection.

I thought the movie was called “Three Steel Rings”, but no such title can be found on the internet.  Any ideas?